ProverbPedia

“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.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കാട്ടിൽ ചെന്നാൽ കള്ളൻ, നാട്ടിൽ വന്നാൽ ഗുരു”
— English Translation:
A bandit when out in the woods, yet a revered spiritual master when walking through town. (A dangerous two-faced hypocrite who commits vile deeds in secret while projecting piety in public.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കള്ളിന്റെ മട്ടും (മത്തും) കമ്മളിന്റെ പിട്ടും”
— English Translation:
The lingering dregs of toddy and the stubborn screw-pin of an ear-stud. (Things that cling persistently or prove notoriously difficult to shake off.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കല്ലു കാറ്റെടുക്കുമ്പോൾ കരിയില എവിടെ”
— English Translation:
When a gale sweeps away heavy boulders, where will the dry leaf stand? (When a colossal catastrophe destroys even the mighty, the weak and frail have no hope of surviving.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കള്ളിയിൽ കുത്തി കൈ എടുത്തപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like thrusting your hand into a thorny cactus and yanking it right back. (Suffering instant, stinging retribution from a reckless mistake and quickly retreating in pain.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കല്ലെറിഞ്ഞ കാക്കപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like a crow struck by a flying stone. (Scattered in sudden, panicked flight; or carrying a wary, lasting fright from a bitter experience.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കള്ളുകണ്ട ഈച്ചയെപ്പോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like a fly catching sight of palm toddy. (Drawn irresistibly by a sweet temptation straight into an inescapable, drowning trap.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കല്ലെൽപെടുത്താൽ പല്ലെതെറിക്കും”
— English Translation:
Bite down hard on a stone, and your tooth will shatter. (Recklessly clashing against an unyielding obstacle will only break the aggressor.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
കള്ളുപീടികയിൽ നിന്നു പാലു കുടിച്ചാലും കളെളന്നെപറയൂ”
— English Translation:
Even if you drink fresh milk inside a toddy tavern, everyone will swear you drank liquor. (Suspicious environments destroy reputation; innocent actions in disreputable places are always judged guilty.)