ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
കല്ലാടുംവീട്ടിൽ നെല്ലാടുകയില്ല”
— English Translation:
In a house where stones play, grain will never dance. (Where gambling, idle dice games, or bitter discord reign, prosperity and sustenance will never dwell.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കപ്പാളത്തീയനു മുപ്പാളത്തണ്ണീർ”
— English Translation:
For a destitute palm-tapper, three spathes of water. (The humble laborer receives only the meager share suited to his station.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കയ്യിൽ കൊടുത്താൽ കക്കാത്ത കള്ളനുണ്ടൊ (കള്ളനും കക്കാ)”
— English Translation:
If handed directly to him, is there any thief who won't steal? (Dangle an easy temptation, and anyone will take advantage; alternatively: if entrusted directly with open faith, even a rogue refrains from theft.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കപ്പലിനു പണിതുപണിതൊരു ചിമിഴായി”
— English Translation:
Toiled and labored to build a great ship, but it ended up as a tiny trinket box. (High ambitions and monumental effort dwindling into a petty, trivial result; the mountain brought forth a mouse.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കരകയും വേണം, കിറികോടുകയും അരുത് എന്നുവെച്ചാലൊ”
— English Translation:
Wanting to weep bitterly, yet insisting that one's lip must not twist? (Expecting to undergo deep pain or difficult ordeals without displaying the natural strain and suffering.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കമന്നുവീണാൽ കാല്പണം കയ്യിൽ”
— English Translation:
Even if he falls flat on his face, he rises with a quarter-penny in his palm. (An extraordinarily lucky or slick opportunist who turns even an accident into personal profit.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കരണത്തിനു ചേർന്നതു കൈമറി”
— English Translation:
A backhand slap suits an insolent posture (or an agile somersault matches a daring leap). (Meeting an action with its exact, fitting retribution or matching technique; tit for tat.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കമ്മാളൻ കണ്ടതു കണ്ണല്ലെങ്കിൽ ചുമ്മാടും കെട്ടി ചുമക്കും”
— English Translation:
If the artisan fails to see with clear eyes, he winds a headpad and ends up carrying the burden himself. (Failing to assess reality with sharp judgment forces one to shoulder unnecessary hardships.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കമ്പത്തിൽ കയറി ആയിരം വിദ്യ കാട്ടിയാലും സമ്മാനം വാങ്ങുവാൻ താഴെ ഇറങ്ങണം (താഴെവന്നെ സമ്മാനമുള്ളു)”
— English Translation:
Even if you climb a high pole and display a thousand acrobatics, you must descend to solid ground to collect your prize. (No matter how high you soar or boast, ultimate validation and sustenance depend on returning to humble reality.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കമ്പിളിക്കുണ്ടൊ കറ”
— English Translation:
Does a stain ever show on a coarse black blanket? (Those of thick skin, base standing, or already tarnished reputation are indifferent to stains on honor.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കയറെത്താത്തതുകൊണ്ടു കിണറുനികത്തണമൊ”
— English Translation:
Should you fill in the well with earth just because your rope falls short of the water? (Never abandon or destroy a valuable resource simply because your current tools are inadequate.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കയിലിനുതക്ക കണ”
— English Translation:
A ladle proportioned to the bowl (or an arrow suited to the bow). (Means, tools, and remedies must match the scale of the task.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കതിരേൽകൊണ്ടു വളം വെച്ച പോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like applying manure directly onto the ripened ears of grain rather than at the root. (Applying resources, training, or remedies ridiculously late and at the completely wrong place.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കയം കണ്ട പോത്ത്”
— English Translation:
Like a water buffalo catching sight of a deep pool. (Rushing uncontrollably toward one's favorite indulgence; completely unstoppable once tempted.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കത്തിവാളൊടു ചോദിച്ചിട്ടൊ കാടുവയ്ക്കുക”
— English Translation:
Does one ask permission from the pruning billhook before setting out to clear the jungle? (An authority does not seek consent from the instruments or subordinates employed to execute a command.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കയ്യന്റെകയ്യിൽ കത്തി ഇരുന്നാൽ കടവഴിക്കുറ്റിക്കുനാശം”
— English Translation:
If a reckless rogue gets hold of a knife, the roadside trail-marker is doomed. (Placing sharp tools or power into irresponsible hands results in senseless vandalism of public goods.)