Shona

Munongedzo hauzvinongedzi

The index finger does not point to itself.

Tsanagudzo

Munhu haakwanisa kuona paanotadza asi anokurumidza kuona zitadzo zvevamwe.

What the Words Say

The index finger does not point to itself.

What It Means

One is blind to their own faults.

Cultural Context

The index finger is the primary finger for pointing at anything or at others. Hence in pointing at someone in order to cast blame on them, it is the same finger that used. The index finger however rarely points back to the owner of the hand. In this way our elders were sharing the lesson that it is much easier to see blame in others and very difficult to point at oneself.

How It's Used

The proverb is used specifically to relate to those who are good at placing blame or noticing faults in others and rarely see fault in themselves.