ProverbPedia

“ പൊന്നുംതൂമ്പായുണ്ടായാലും ഇരിമ്പുംതൂമ്പാ കൂടാതെ കഴിയുമോ”
English Translation:
Even if you have a golden spade, can you manage without an iron spade? (Costly ornaments and elite luxuries can never replace the rugged, humble tools required for real work.)

— Malayalam

Related Mantras

“ മോർ വിൽക്കുന്ന തായെ ഊരിലെ പാർവത്യമെന്തിനു”
English Translation:
Why does a mother who sells simple buttermilk need the administrative lordship of the village? (Pretentious overreach; assuming grand administrative titles and aristocratic airs that bear no relation to one’s humble trade.)

“ എറുംപുര കല്ലുംതേയും”
English Translation:
With the steady crawling of ants, even granite stone wears away. (Steady, unrelenting persistence overcomes the most unyielding barriers.)

“ ഉണ്ടചോറ്റിൽ കല്ലിടരുത്”
English Translation:
Do not cast stones into the rice you have eaten. (Never betray or harm the hand that sustained and fed you.)