ProverbPedia

“ വായ്ക്കു നാണമില്ലെങ്കിൽ വയറ്റിനു പഞ്ഞമില്ല”
English Translation:
If the mouth knows no shame, the stomach will never face famine. (A person willing to discard dignity, flatter shamelessly, and beg openly will always find a way to eat.)

“ വള്ളത്തിൽകിടന്നോടിയാൽ വള്ളംകരക്കടുക്കുമൊ”
English Translation:
Will the canoe reach the shore any faster if you run back and forth inside it? (Agitated, restless scurrying within a fixed framework accomplishes nothing; progress requires steady rowing, not anxious fidgeting.)

“ വായിച്ചുണ്ടാകുംമുമ്പെ വായിച്ചുണ്ടാകണം”
English Translation:
Before earning your livelihood in the world, earn your foundation through disciplined study. (Thorough education, learning, and self-cultivation must precede professional practice and public reputation.)

“ വള്ളിക്കുറപ്പുമരം; പിള്ളക്കുറപ്പു ജനനി”
English Translation:
The tree is the anchor of the climbing vine; the mother is the anchor of the child. (The indispensable, natural foundation of support; a child draws security, life, and direction from its mother.)

“ വായ് പോയകത്തികൊണ്ടു എതിലേയുംവെച്ചുകൊത്താം”
English Translation:
With a knife whose sharp edge is already ruined, one can hack away in any direction. (Once a tool or person has lost its edge, integrity, or reputation, it is used carelessly and indiscriminately for any crude job.)

“ വഴിമൊഴിയെങ്കിൽ മുരുക്കു ഉരുക്കു ആം”
English Translation:
If processed by the proper formula, even soft coral wood becomes hard as steel. (With the right technique, training, and skillful refinement, even humble and weak material can be turned into a formidable asset.)

“ വായിൽ പത്തില്ലെങ്കിൽ കയ്യിൽ പത്തുവേണം”
English Translation:
If you lack eloquence on your tongue, you must have ten coins in your hand. (If you cannot win people over with persuasive diplomacy and charm, you must rely on hard cash to get things done.)

“ വാകീറിയതമ്പുരാൻ ഇരകല്പിക്കാതിരിക്കുമൊ”
English Translation:
Will the Lord who fashioned the mouth fail to provide sustenance for it? (Faith in Divine Providence; the Creator who brings life into existence will unfailingly provide the daily bread needed to sustain it.)

“ വായിൽ വന്നതു കോതക്കു പാട്ടു”
English Translation:
Whatever tumbles out of her mouth is a song to Kotha. (Babbling incoherent nonsense without filter, discipline, or consideration for truth; rambling speech.)

“ വാക്കിൽ തോറ്റവനും മൂക്കിൽ കേറിയവനും പാഞ്ഞവനും ഇല്ലാ”
English Translation:
None admits defeat in an argument, just as none admits being blinded by rage or fleeing in fear. (Human obstinacy; a defeated disputant invents endless excuses rather than gracefully conceding that they were wrong.)

“ വായിലെ കൊഴുപ്പ ശീലയാലെ വടിയും”
English Translation:
The greasy swagger on the lips will soon be wiped away with a rough rag. (Arrogant bluster and insolent conceit will inevitably be humbled and scrubbed clean by harsh reality.)

“ വാക്കിൽ തോറ്റാൽ മുപ്പിൽതാഴണം”
English Translation:
If bested in fair debate, one must yield in rank. (Humility before truth; honor demands that whoever loses a principled argument should concede precedence to the victor.)

“ വായിലെ നാവിനു നാണമില്ലെങ്കിൽ വയറുനിറയും”
English Translation:
If the tongue in the mouth feels no shame, the belly will remain full. (Those devoid of pride or self-respect will beg, fawn, and wheedle their way to being sustained.)

“ വാക്കുകൊണ്ടു കോട്ടകെട്ടുക”
English Translation:
Building a fortress out of mere words. (Building castles in the air; indulging in grandiose boasting without backing it up with a single tangible action.)

“ വാക്കുചേക്കിനെപോലെ, ചേലു ചൈത്താനെപോലെ”
English Translation:
Speech like a holy sage, but conduct like the devil. (Sanctimonious hypocrisy; wrapping deceit and vicious malice in sweet, pious words.)

“ വാചഃ കർമ്മാതിരിച്യതെ”
English Translation:
Action is vastly superior to speech. (Actions speak louder than words; tangible deeds and practical execution outweigh the most eloquent declarations.)