ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഞണ്ടു, മണ്ഡലി, കായൽ, വാഴ, കുടപ്പന, പെറ്റാൽ ശേഷിക്കയില്ല”
— English Translation:
The crab, the viper, the reed, the plantain tree, and the talipot palm: none survives the act of bearing fruit or offspring. (Certain creations and enterprises exhaust and destroy their source in the very process of coming to fruition.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഞാനും മുതലേച്ചനുംകൂടി കാളയെപിടിച്ചെന്നു തവള”
— English Translation:
"The crocodile and I wrestled down the bull together!" boasted the frog. (An insignificant weakling falsely claiming equal partnership in a mighty feat accomplished entirely by a giant.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഞെരിഞ്ഞിൽമുള്ളുകൊണ്ടാലും കുനിഞ്ഞുതന്നെ എടുക്കണം”
— English Translation:
Even if pierced by a tiny caltrop thorn, you must still bend down to pull it out. (Even when dealing with minor or humiliating troubles, you must humble yourself and swallow your pride to resolve the pain.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഡില്ലിയിൽമീതെ ജഗഡില്ലി”
— English Translation:
Beyond Delhi lies Jagadilli. (No matter how supreme an imperial authority or power may seem, there is always a higher force, greater domain, or deeper turmoil beyond it.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ചോറുണ്ടാകുമ്പോൾ ചാറില്ല, ചാറുണ്ടാകുമ്പോൾ ചോറില്ല, രണ്ടും ഉണ്ടാകുമ്പോൾ ഞാനില്ല”
— English Translation:
When there is rice, there is no broth; when there is broth, there is no rice; and when both are ready, I am not there. (The tragicomedy of chronic bad timing; complementary elements never align when one is present to enjoy them.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
തകൃതിപ്പലിശ തടവിന്നാകാ”
— English Translation:
Runaway compound interest cannot be recovered when the borrower is broken or behind bars. (Pushing demands and extortion to unreasonable extremes guarantees that you recover nothing at all.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ചോറിൽകിടക്കുന്ന കല്ലെടുത്തു മാറ്റാൻ വയ്യ, ഗോപുരംകെട്ടാൻ കല്ലു ചുമക്കാം പോലും”
— English Translation:
Unable to remove a tiny pebble from a bowl of rice, yet boasting of hauling stones to erect a temple tower. (Incapable of performing the simplest practical tasks, yet bragging of tackling colossal, heroic feats.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
തക്കം എങ്കിൽ തക്കം; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വെക്കം”
— English Translation:
If the opportune moment is here, seize it; otherwise act with swift dispatch. (Strike while the iron is hot; either wait patiently for the ideal opportunity or act immediately without lingering indecision.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഛർദ്ദിക്കുംപിള്ള വർദ്ധിക്കും”
— English Translation:
The infant that throws up frequently will grow strong and thrive. (Minor setbacks, purges, and teething pains in the beginning are natural precursors to healthy long-term growth.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
തക്കവർക്കു തക്കവണ്ണം പറകൊല്ല”
— English Translation:
Do not speak inappropriately to people of true standing. (Treat people of stature, competence, and dignity with the respect and decorum appropriate to them.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഛർദ്ദിച്ചാൽ ഭക്ഷിക്കരുതു”
— English Translation:
What has once been vomited out must never be consumed again. (Never return to vices, associations, or repudiated errors that you have deliberately renounced.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
തംകുലം വറട്ടി ധർമ്മം ചെയ്യരുതു”
— English Translation:
Never perform acts of charity by starving your own household. (Charity begins at home; do not ruin your own family to put on an outward show of philanthropy for outsiders.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ഛിദ്രേഷ്വനർത്ഥം ബഹുലീഭവന്തി”
— English Translation:
In cracks and internal divisions, misfortunes multiply. (Adversity and enemies swarm where internal disunity, weakness, or rifts exist.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ജനിച്ചാൽ മരിക്കാതിരിക്കയില്ല”
— English Translation:
Whoever is born cannot escape death. (Mortality is an absolute, immutable law of existence; everything that begins must end.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ജലരേഖ പോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like a line drawn upon water. (Fleeting, impermanent, and vanishing without a trace the moment it is made.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
ചൊട്ടു കൊണ്ടാലും മോതിരക്കൈകൊണ്ടു കൊള്ളണം”
— English Translation:
If one must receive a rap on the head, let it be from a hand wearing a signet ring. (Better to accept correction, discipline, or service from a noble and worthy authority than favors from the base.)