ProverbPedia

“ എള്ളിൽവീണ ഒച്ചുപോലെ”
English Translation:
Like a snail that has fallen into a heap of sesame seeds. (Paralyzed and thoroughly entangled, unable to move without getting bogged down further.)

“ പൊന്നാരംകുത്തിയാൽ അരി ഉണ്ടാകയില്ലാ”
English Translation:
Pounding gold in a mortar will never yield edible rice. (Decorative luxuries, empty flattery, and hoardings of metal cannot satisfy fundamental physical hunger.)

“ തട്ടാൻ തൊട്ടാൽ പത്തിന്നെട്ടു (എട്ടാൽ ഒന്നു)”
English Translation:
If the goldsmith touches it, only eight parts in ten remain (or one part in eight is skimmed). (A traditional folk caution against the inevitable cut or commission shaved off whenever dealing with dishonest intermediaries.)