Mbeva haicheri mwena usina mabudiro

Munhu akangwara anogara aziva mabudiro ake patsekwende kana kuti anoziva kuti anozogona sei zvinhu zvaatanga

A mouse will not dig a hole without an exit.

One must always have alternative options in the event that disaster strikes or things change.

Mice are burrowing rodents that lives in holes that they would have created. They store away food and rear their young in these holes because they provide a certain level of safety. However there are still risks involved with such holes, which could be in the form or snakes which prey on mice or even more natural elements like water (flooding) or fire. But most mice dig these holes with a escape route in mind. Hence our ancestors saw this as a lesson of how to engage any new venture. It is wise to realize early a means of averting any threats or risks that one may encounter in the process of undergoing a somewhat safe venture.

The proverb is used to advise all those setting out on a venture to also consider options that will salvage or safeguard any gains while averting any risks or challenges that one may face. The proverb is also used to highlight traits of strategic people over those who have not fully anticipated their threats and ultimately are engaging in a risky venture.