Muromo wazivira kudya mavara, kuona chivambo wosekerera
The mouth that is used to eating spots, smiles when seeing a small one.
Tsanagudzo
Munhu ajaira kudya zvekuba kana akaona chinhu chingangobiika haaregi kumboedza. Mbavha ikangowana kamukana kekuba inototi imboedza.
What the Words Say
The mouth that is used to eating spots, smiles when seeing a small one.
What It Means
One who is used to stealing, is prepared to use every possible opportunity to steal.
Cultural Context
Certain habits once developed are hard to let go off. When these are bad traits, those who commit them, may not always seek to do so but when an opportunity arises they rarely miss out. The proverb uses the mouth to show the habitual characteristics and hence the smile when a chance avails itself to “eat” again. With this example our elders were warning us on the potential for offenders to repeat the vice if an opportunity presents itself.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to warn that those used to doing something bad are more inclined to use any opportunity they can to do so. The proverb can also be use as a word of caution to not place such people in the path of temptation.