ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
കട്ടിൽ ചെറുതെങ്കിലും കാൽനാലു വേണം”
— English Translation:
Even if the cot is small, it still requires four sturdy legs. (However modest an undertaking may be, fundamental structural essentials cannot be compromised.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടിക്കുന്നതു കരിമ്പ്, പിടിക്കുന്നതു ഇരുമ്പ്”
— English Translation:
Biting into sweet sugarcane while holding fast with an iron grip. (Enjoying sweetness and warmth while maintaining unyielding toughness and backbone.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കട്ടെറുമ്പിനെ പിടിച്ചു ആസനത്തിൻ കീഴിൽ വെക്കുന്നതുപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like catching a stinging carpenter ant and tucking it under your own seat. (Deliberately inviting acute, self-inflicted pain and avoidable trouble upon oneself.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടിച്ചതുമില്ല പിടിച്ചതുമില്ലെന്നായി”
— English Translation:
Ended up neither with a bite in the mouth nor the prey in hand. (Falling between two stools; pursuing multiple targets and ending up completely empty-handed.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കട്ടോനും കടം കൊണ്ടോനും വറ്റോനും വലവീതോനും അടങ്ങുകയില്ല”
— English Translation:
The thief, the borrower, the bankrupt, and the net-fisherman will never sit still. (Guilt, debt, absolute destitution, and anxious anticipation keep a person perpetually restless.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടിഞ്ഞാണില്ലാത്ത കുതിര ഏതിലേയും പായും”
— English Translation:
A horse without a bridle will bolt wild in any direction. (Without discipline, guidance, and restraint, unrestrained energy rushes headlong into ruin.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കട്ടോനെ കാണാഞ്ഞാൽ കണ്ടവനെ പിടിച്ച് കഴുവേറ്റുക”
— English Translation:
If the actual thief cannot be found, seize the first bystander and impale him on the stake. (Arbitrary, tyrannical authority that scapegoats innocent people simply to show quick results.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടുകീറി കാര്യം; ആനകൊണ്ടു ഓശാരം”
— English Translation:
Splitting a mustard seed when bargaining over business, but giving away an entire elephant for free. (Penny-wise and pound-foolish; haggling over microscopic details while blithely suffering massive losses.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടുചോരുന്നതു കാണും: ആന ചോരുന്നതു കാണുകയില്ല”
— English Translation:
Noticing a tiny mustard seed leaking through, yet blind to an entire elephant slipping out. (Straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel; fretting over petty leaks while oblivious to monumental blunders.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടുകീറി കണക്കു; ആനകെട്ടി ഓശാരം”
— English Translation:
Splitting a mustard seed for strict accounting, while gifting an elephant as a casual favor. (Absurdly stingy over trivial pennies while recklessly squandering colossal fortunes.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടമില്ലാതെ കഞ്ഞിയുത്തമം”
— English Translation:
Simple rice gruel eaten free of debt is superior to a feast. (A frugal, debt-free living brings far sweeter sleep than borrowed luxury.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടുമ്പിരി കയർ അറുക്കും”
— English Translation:
Twisting a rope too tightly will snap it. (Excessive pressure, harshness, or rigid strictness will ruin any relationship or enterprise.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടയ്ക്കൽ നനച്ചെ തലയ്ക്കൽ പൊടിക്കു”
— English Translation:
Only if you water the roots will fresh shoots sprout at the crown. (Nourish the foundation first if you expect flourishing results at the top.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടുവായുടെ കയ്യിൽ കാപ്പിടെക്കു കൊടുത്താലൊ”
— English Translation:
What if you hand over your child as a hostage into the paws of a tiger? (Entrusting what is precious and vulnerable to a ruthless predator.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കടം കൊടുത്താൽ ഇടവും കൊടുക്കണം”
— English Translation:
If you lend money, you must also be prepared to surrender peace and goodwill. (Lending to acquaintances often costs both the principal and the relationship.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കട്ടകൊണ്ടു കട്ടതല്ലി”
— English Translation:
Smashing one clod of earth with another clod of earth. (Fighting fire with fire; using equal, matched force to break an obstacle.)