ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
കോട്ടം‌പൊളിഞ്ഞാൽ ഭഗവതി പട്ടുവത്തു”
— English Translation:
When the temple citadel collapses, the goddess takes refuge in Pattuvam. (When the primary seat of power falls, its patrons and dependents disperse to humbler havens.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കോലേൽ പഴന്തുണിചുറ്റിയപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like wrapping a ragged old cloth around a stick. (A shoddy, flimsy makeshift; or an emaciated, pathetic figure swathed in ill-fitting garments.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലക്കുടിയിൽ (കൊല്ലന്റെ ആലയിൽ) സൂചിവില്പാൻ വരുന്നൊ”
— English Translation:
Coming to sell needles at the blacksmith’s forge? (Carrying coals to Newcastle; attempting to teach or sell basic craft tools to the master manufacturer.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊറ്റുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ കുറുന്തടിയും വേലചെയ്യും”
— English Translation:
If food is provided, even a short stump will do work. (Proper nourishment and fair compensation motivate even the humblest worker to perform.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലത്തു കോശിമാപ്പിളയുടെ മുതലിനു കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂർകൊല്ലനു അവകാശം”
— English Translation:
The blacksmith in Kodungallur claiming rights over the estate of Koshi Mappila in Kollam. (An absurd, groundless claim of entitlement over someone else's distant fortune.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊതിക്കു കോയ്മയില്ലാ”
— English Translation:
Appetite acknowledges no sovereign. (Raw craving and biological hunger recognize no shame, law, or royal authority.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലത്തെപ്പെരുവഴി ഇല്ലത്തെ (തള്ളക്കു) സ്ത്രീധനമൊ”
— English Translation:
Is the public highway of Kollam the private dowry of your mother's estate? (A sharp rebuke to someone acting domineering, entitled, and obstructive on shared public property.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊതിയനിലെക്കുപോയി, ഇനിക്കു നിലത്തുതാ”
— English Translation:
"Serve the greedy man's portion on a banana leaf, but pour mine right on the floor." (Feigning deep humility while shamelessly competing for the exact same handouts.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലൻ കുശവന്റെ പണിക്കു പോകരുതു”
— English Translation:
A blacksmith should not undertake the work of a potter. (Stick to your own trade and expertise; do not meddle in a craft that demands opposite sensibilities.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊതുപോകുന്നതറിയും, ആനപോകുന്നതറികയില്ല”
— English Translation:
Noticing a tiny mosquito passing by, yet failing to see an elephant walking through. (Straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel; obsessing over minor trivia while blind to massive realities.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലാൻകൊടുത്താലും വളർത്താൻകൊടുക്കയില്ല”
— English Translation:
Would rather send it to the slaughterhouse than give it to another to raise. (Vicious, dog-in-the-manger malice that prefers total destruction over letting another enjoy the asset.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊതുവൂതി വിളക്കുകെടുത്തുമൊ”
— English Translation:
Can a mosquito's puff extinguish a flame? (A puny, feeble effort cannot disrupt or bring down a formidable force.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലാൻപിടിച്ചാലും വളർത്താൻപിടിച്ചാലും കരയും”
— English Translation:
Squeals in terror whether caught for slaughter or gathered up to be cared for. (Blind, indiscriminate panic that fails to recognize the difference between loving care and lethal danger.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊത്തിക്കൊണ്ടു പറക്കാനുംവയ്യ, വെച്ചുങ്കൊണ്ടു തിന്നാനുംവയ്യാ”
— English Translation:
Unable to fly away with it in the beak, yet unable to set it down and eat in peace. (Trapped in an agonizing predicament with a prize too heavy to carry off and too exposed to enjoy.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊല്ലുന്നരാജാവിനു തിന്നുന്നമന്ത്രി”
— English Translation:
For a king who slaughters, a minister who devours. (A ruthless tyrant is inevitably matched with an equally greedy, predatory counselor; like ruler, like minister.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കൊന്നാൽപാപം തിന്നാൽതീരും”
— English Translation:
The sin of killing is wiped out by eating the meat. (An ironical, self-serving rationalization that justifies questionable acts by consuming their benefits.)