ProverbPedia

“ പതമുള്ളെടം പാതാളം”
English Translation:
Where the soil is soft, people dig down to the netherworld. (The gentle, yielding, and submissive are routinely exploited to the extreme by overbearing opportunists.)

— Malayalam

Related Mantras

“ താൻ നാഴി കറക്കയുമില്ല, മോരിനുവരുന്നവരെ കുത്തുകയും ചെയ്യും”
English Translation:
Gives not even a cup of milk, yet gores anyone who approaches asking for buttermilk. (A dog-in-the-manger attitude; completely unproductive and unhelpful, while fiercely hostile to anyone seeking assistance.)

“ കൊറ്റുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ കുറുന്തടിയും വേലചെയ്യും”
English Translation:
If food is provided, even a short stump will do work. (Proper nourishment and fair compensation motivate even the humblest worker to perform.)

“ അകപ്പെട്ടാൽ പന്നിചുരയ്ക്കാ”
English Translation:
Once trapped, even bitter wild gourd becomes the lot. (When cornered or helpless, one must settle for whatever poor outcome presents itself.)