ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാണ്മാൻ കൊള്ളാം, തിന്മാൻ ആകാ”
— English Translation:
Splendid to look upon, but utterly unfit to eat. (Visually dazzling but functionally useless or unpalatable; pleasing to the eye, worthless in practice.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കെക്കും തമ്പിള്ള പൊൻപിള്ള (തൻകുഞ്ഞു പൊൻകുഞ്ഞു)”
— English Translation:
Even to a crow, its own fledgling is made of gold. (Maternal love is blind; every parent considers their own child incomparable and precious.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാണ്മാൻ വന്നവൻ കഴുവേറി”
— English Translation:
The curious bystander who came merely to watch ended up mounted on the executioner's stake. (An innocent onlooker caught in the crossfire and made to bear the ultimate penalty.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാച്ച (കാഞ്ഞ, അനച്ച) വീണ (ചാടിയ) പൂച്ച പച്ചവെള്ളം കണ്ടാലും പേടിക്കും (അറെക്കും)”
— English Translation:
A cat that fell into boiling water recoils even from cold water. (Once bitten, twice shy; severe trauma instills an irrational dread of harmless things.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാണ്മാൻ പോകുന്ന പൂരം പറഞ്ഞുകേൾപ്പിക്കണമോ (കേട്ടറിയണമോ)”
— English Translation:
Does the temple festival you are about to see with your own eyes need to be described to you beforehand? (Why rely on speculative descriptions when you are on the verge of witnessing the reality yourself?)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാഞ്ഞ ഓട്ടിൽ വെള്ളം പകർന്നപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like splashing cold water onto a red-hot bronze skillet. (Triggering instant, hissing fury; or effort that vanishes immediately into thin air.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാടിക്കഞ്ഞിയും മൂടിക്കുടിക്കെണം”
— English Translation:
Even sour rice gruel should be consumed under cover. (Keep domestic hardships and humble means private; preserve dignity before the outside world.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കകുളിച്ചാൽ കുയിലാകുമൊ”
— English Translation:
If a crow bathes in the river, will it become a singing cuckoo? (External imitation cannot endow a coarse nature with genuine grace or melody.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാഞ്ഞിരംകയിക്കും, കരിഞ്ഞൊട്ടകയിക്കും, കാണരുതാത്തവനെ കാണുമ്പോൾ കയിക്കും”
— English Translation:
Strychnine is bitter, bitter-bark is bitter, and the sight of an abhorred face tastes just as bitter. (The sheer, visceral revulsion felt when forced to look upon a despised enemy.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കകുളിച്ചാൽ കൊക്കാമൊ (കൊച്ചയാകയില്ല)”
— English Translation:
If a crow takes a dip, will it emerge as a white egret? (No amount of washing or cosmetic whitewashing can alter one's fundamental nature.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാടുകളഞ്ഞവന്റെ കൈകൊത്തുമാറുണ്ടൊ”
— English Translation:
Will the hand of one who cleared an entire jungle tremble while clearing a small patch of brush? (A seasoned veteran who has conquered massive trials will not hesitate before a trivial task.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കത്തൂവൽകൊണ്ടു അമ്പുകെട്ടിയാൽ കാഷ്ടത്തിലെ കുത്തു”
— English Translation:
If you fletch an arrow with crow feathers, it will only pierce dung. (Defective, low-grade instruments will only achieve base and foul outcomes.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാടുവെട്ടുവാൻ കോടാലിയുടെ സമ്മതംവേണമോ”
— English Translation:
Does one need the axe's permission to clear the forest? (A master does not consult the tools or subordinates hired to carry out a command.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കനോക്കറിയും; കാട്ടിആളറിയും”
— English Translation:
The crow reads the human gaze; the wild beast knows the hunter. (Sharp instincts instantly perceive underlying threats and hidden intentions.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാട്ടിയതും കാട്ടുകയില്ല കാഷ്ടവും കാട്ടുകയില്ല”
— English Translation:
Shows neither what was promised nor even so much as a speck of dirt. (Total deceit; completely failing to deliver on obligations while offering not even a token gesture.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാക്കപൊങ്ങിപ്പറന്നാൽ കഴുകനാകുമൊ”
— English Translation:
Though a crow may soar into the heights, does it become an eagle? (A temporary rise in position or status does not confer genuine nobility or greatness.)