Culture
Proverbs
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Swahili proverb: Polepole ndio mwendo

Proverb celebrating steady, deliberate progress as the correct pace of travel and of life.

Country:Tanzania; Kenya
Language:Swahili; English
Published:2025-10-04
Audience:Language learners, cultural studies
Swahili: "Polepole ndio mwendo." English literal: "Slowly slowly is the way." Meaning: Steady, deliberate progress is the right pace for reaching a destination. Often invoked to encourage perseverance and to push back against shortcuts.

Keywords

Swahili proverb
polepole
patience
perseverance

Source & licence

Source: Wikiquote
Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Proverb is part of oral tradition documented in Wikiquote and in academic literature on Swahili. Wikiquote attribution required under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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