Zvinhu zvinoonekwa sezvakanaka ndizvo zvinokonzera njodzi isiri pachena kusvika kwayo.
English Literal Equivalent: A pleasantly warm fire is the one that causes skin scorch marks.
English Meaning: Simple and outwardly appealing indulgences often conceal unwanted and unpleasant consequences.
Context: The Karanga people invested immensely in combatting deceit particularly the kind that is created by appearances. This is another proverb by our ancestors which uses the imagery of pleasantly warm fire. Fires were useful not only for keeping warm during the winter time but provided a comfortable space in which banquets and storytelling could take place. A good fire would have just the right kind of warmth without much crackling. This fire had the effect of making one so comfortable that they would end up with scorch marks which they would on realise until the next day whereas a fire that is too hot would discourage anyone from staying too close and/or too long. Hence in this way that pleasantly warm fire was more harmful when it comes to scorch marks because it was deceptive and easily made one comfortable.
Application: The proverb is applied in the case of a warning to one who could have been deceived into a comfort zone by outward appearances or seemingly simplistic delights that these may result in unforeseen complications or difficulties. It can also be used in the aftermath of such a situation to buttress the point that one landed themselves in an unwanted situation because they fell for the attractive outward appearance which seemed harmless.