ProverbPedia

“ നഞ്ചുവേണമൊ നാനാഴി”
English Translation:
Does one need four full measures of deadly poison? (A single drop of venom is enough to kill; a tiny flaw, slander, or toxic element is sufficient to cause total ruin.)

— Malayalam

Related Mantras

“ ആടയുണ്ടെങ്കിലെ കോടയുള്ളു”
English Translation:
Outward dignity and fine appearances exist only if you have the basic clothing. (Prestige and presentation depend entirely on having the foundational means.)

“ ചക്കര തിന്നുമ്പോൾ നക്കി, നക്കി, താരം കൊടുക്കുമ്പോൾ മിക്കി, മിക്കി”
English Translation:
Licking eagerly when eating the jaggery, but squirming and shrinking when handing over the coins. (Eager and quick to consume benefits, but petty, evasive, and reluctant when the time comes to pay the bill.)

“ കുന്തം കൊടുക്കയുമില്ല താനൊട്ട്‌ കുത്തുകയുമില്ല”
English Translation:
Will neither hand over the spear nor make the strike himself. (A dog in the manger; refusing to do the necessary work while preventing others from doing it.)