Tamil Proverb:
எல்லாத் தாட்டோட்டும் குல்லாவுக்குள்ளே இருக்கிறது.
English Translation:
All the skill in steering centres in the out-rigger.Out-rigger boats or canoes are common on the south western coast of Ceylon. They are very swift and most safe. In 1848 when at Colombo duty called me daily to a large ship at the time out in the offing anchored in seven fathoms of water. On the occasion under notice I went on board in an ordinary Cingalese out-rigger canoe. In the evening after having completed the berths, for my two daughters who were going home for education, I betook myself to the boat, and soon after we got clear of the ship the boat was struck in the stern, filled, and went down. When I emerged from the waves I found myself near one of the two brackets of the out-rigger. The canoe was submerged but could not sink lower than the ends of the brackets tied to her side. The out-rigger at the other end of the brackets was floating on the surface of the sea, the canoe being suspended by it like a pair of scales from a beam. Aided by one of those brackets, which I pressed to my bosom, and a Chubb's Palanquin box, I gained the rocks soon after sunset and escaped to land.",
Tamil Proverb:
எழுந்திருப்பான் கால் இல்லை.
English Translation:
He would rise, but he has no feet.",
Tamil Proverb:
"எல்லாரும் நல்லாரா, கல் எல்லாம் மாணிக்கமா?
English Translation:
Are all men good men, are all stones rubies?",
Tamil Proverb:
எழுபது சென்றாலும் பறை ஏவினாற்றான் செய்யும்.
English Translation:
Though seventy years old, a Pariah will do nothing unless he is prompted.",
Tamil Proverb:
"எல்லா வேலையும் செய்வான், செத்தால் பிழைக்கமாட்டான்.
English Translation:
He can do all things, but when dead he cannot resuscitate himself.",
Tamil Proverb:
எழுபது பேரைக் கொன்ற படுநீலி.
English Translation:
A cruel Níli-woman-who killed seventy persons.,
Tamil Proverb:
எல்லோரும் கப்பல் ஏறியாயிற்று இனி அம்மனார் பொற்பட்டம் கட்டப்போகிறார்.
English Translation:
All have embarked, my uncle is about to receive a golden mark of distinction.Spoken of aspirations beyond one’s merits.",
Tamil Proverb:
எளியவள் பிள்ளை ஆனாலும் செய்யும் சடங்கு செய்யவேண்டும்.
English Translation:
Though the child of a poor woman, the accustomed rites must be performed.",
Tamil Proverb:
"எல்லாம் அறிந்தும், கழுநீர்ப்பானையில் கையிடுகிறதா?
English Translation:
What, is one who knows all things, to put his hand into filthy water?",
Tamil Proverb:
ஏழைக்கும் பேழைக்கும் காடுகாள் அம்மை.
English Translation:
The mother of Vairavi is the patroness of the poor and of boats.,
Tamil Proverb:
எல்லாரும் ஏறி இளைத்த குதிரையில் சாஸ்திரியார் ஏறிச் சறுக்கி விழுந்தார்.
English Translation:
On mounting a jaded horse that all had ridden, the astrologer slipped and fell down.",
Tamil Proverb:
எளியவனை அடித்துப் புளியங்காய் பறித்தாற்போல.
English Translation:
Like beating a poor man, and plucking his tamarind fruit.",