ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുമ്പിൽപ്പോയിട്ടെൽക്കല്ല്, പിന്നെപ്പാഴിൽ തോൽക്കല്ല്”
— English Translation:
Do not boastfully push to the forefront only to suffer an embarrassing defeat later. (Avoid rash bravado and premature commitments that you lack the stamina to see through.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുട്ടുശാന്തിക്ക് ഏൽപ്പിച്ചാൽ കാശിക്കു പോകാം”
— English Translation:
If you entrust the altar to a capable substitute priest, you can journey all the way to Kashi. (Delegating duties to a dependable deputy frees you to undertake distant, monumental enterprises.)

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— English Translation:
If the guide ahead is a reckless spendthrift, the follower behind is stone-blind. (Following a dissolute, incompetent leader makes the follower far more foolish than the guide.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുണ്ടകൻ വെച്ചിട്ടു മൂലയിലൊളിച്ചു”
— English Translation:
Planted the winter crop, and then went and hid in a dark corner. (Starting an ambitious venture only to abandon it to neglect out of fear or indolence.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുമ്പെവന്നതു കൊമ്പൊ ചെവിയോ”
— English Translation:
Which came first, the horns or the ears? (Foundational seniority takes precedence over late arrivals; upstarts should not act superior to seasoned elders.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുണ്ടോൻനട്ടുമുങ്ങണം, വിരിപ്പുനട്ടുണങ്ങണം”
— English Translation:
Plant the Mundakan crop and plunge into the rains; plant the Virippu crop and bake under the sun. (Traditional farming wisdom on the differing seasonal conditions required for successive rice crops.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുയൽ ഇളകുമ്പോൾ നായിക്ക് കാഷ്ട്ടിപ്പാൻ മുട്ടും”
— English Translation:
Just as the hare springs from the bush, the hound feels the urge to relieve itself. (Feigning untimely excuses and being unready at the critical moment of opportunity.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുതല പിടിച്ചാൽ മുതലയെ തഴുകണം”
— English Translation:
If a crocodile catches you in its jaws, stroke and soothe the crocodile. (When trapped by an overwhelming, lethal force, soft flattery, composure, and tact are your only hope of survival.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുരുക്ക് വളർന്നാൽ ഉരുക്കാമോ”
— English Translation:
Even if a coral tree grows tall, can it ever be fashioned into a sturdy ship? (Mere size or volume cannot substitute for structural integrity; inferior material cannot handle heavy demands.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുതുകിൽ പുണ്ണുള്ളവനെ വേലിനൂരാൻ ഭയമുള്ളൂ”
— English Translation:
Only he who has an ulcer on his back dreads crawling through a fence. (A person burdened with guilt or hidden flaws is terrified of scrutiny and tight situations.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുറി പൊറുത്താലും കലകിടക്കും”
— English Translation:
Even after the wound heals, the scar remains. (Though a conflict may be resolved, the emotional trauma and memory of injury linger on.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുതിരക്ക് മൂന്നുമഴ”
— English Translation:
For horse gram, three showers of rain are plenty. (Hardy, resilient natures require very little assistance to mature and thrive.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുറിപ്പണി ഇട്ടിട്ടുപോയാൽ മുറിപ്പാമ്പ് കടിക്കും”
— English Translation:
If you abandon work half-done, a wounded snake will strike. (Leaving dangerous problems or tasks half-finished invites deadly complications.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുതുക്കൻ ഞെക്കി പണം മുന്നൂറ്”
— English Translation:
Wringing three hundred coins out of a tight-fisted old man. (Extracting resources with immense difficulty from an experienced, unyielding hoarder.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുറിപ്പാട്ടുകൊണ്ടങ്ങു ചെന്നാൽ മുഴുവൻ പാട്ടുകേൾക്കാം രണ്ടാട്ടും കേൾക്കാം”
— English Translation:
If you arrive with half a song, you will hear the full song along with two sharp rebukes. (Presenting half-baked knowledge or careless work before experts invites exposure and a sound scolding.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
മുത്തിനല്ലാതെ ചിപ്പിക്കുണ്ടോ വില”
— English Translation:
Does the oyster shell have any value apart from the pearl within? (External forms, titles, and bodies derive their true worth solely from the noble essence they house.)