ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
അലക്കുന്നോന്റെ കഴുതപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like a washerman’s donkey. (Overworked and unappreciated, carrying everyone’s burdens without belonging anywhere.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അഷ്ടാംഗഹൃദയഹീനന്മാർ ചികിത്സിക്കും ചികിത്സയിൽ മഞ്ഞൾ എല്ലാംയമ്പായി, കർപ്പുരം കൊടുവേരിയായി”
— English Translation:
Under treatments given by those ignorant of medical treatises, turmeric turned to rust and camphor became toxic root. (Entrusting critical affairs to unqualified quacks turns good resources into hazards.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അലന്നാൽ അമ്മക്കപരാധിക്കാമൊ”
— English Translation:
If hardship strikes, can you blame your mother for the offense? (Do not blame those who nurture you for personal misfortunes or hardships beyond their control.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അശ്വിനിദേവന്മാർ വന്നാൽ സാധിക്കും”
— English Translation:
Possible only if the celestial physicians descend from heaven. (A hopeless situation that only an impossible miracle can fix.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അലപ്പടിക്കുംപൂച്ച കാടിച്ചിഴിയിൽ”
— English Translation:
The prowling stray cat inevitably falls into the fermented wash pit. (Greedy, reckless seekers of easy pickings eventually land in trouble.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അളന്നചെട്ടിക്കു അളന്നുകൊടു, തൂക്കിയചെട്ടിക്കു തൂക്കികൊടു”
— English Translation:
Give by volume to the trader who measures; give by weight to the trader who weighs. (Deal with people strictly in their own terms and methods.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അല്പകാല സന്തോഷം ദീർഘകാലസന്താപം”
— English Translation:
A moment's fleeting pleasure brings prolonged sorrow. (Short-lived gratification often exacts a lifelong price.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അള (ഏറെ) കുത്തിയാൽ ചേരയും കടിക്കും”
— English Translation:
If prodded too much in its burrow, even a non-venomous rat snake will strike. (Push even the mildest person to the wall, and they will retaliate.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അല്പനൈശ്വര്യം വന്നാൽ (അർത്ഥം കിട്ടിയാൽ) അർദ്ധരാത്രി കുടപിടിക്കും”
— English Translation:
When a low-minded man gains sudden prosperity, he parades with an open umbrella at midnight. (Vulgar, showy ostentation by those unaccustomed to good fortune.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അളമുട്ടിയാൽ ചേരയും തിരിയും”
— English Translation:
Cornered in its hole, even a rat snake turns around to fight. (When driven into a corner with no retreat, even the timid will stand and fight.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അല്ലലുള്ള പുലയിക്കു നുള്ളിയുള്ളകാടു പറയണ്ടാ”
— English Translation:
You don't need to explain thorny scrublands to a toiling forest woman. (Never lecture experienced laborers on the difficulties of their own trade.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അളവുക്കു മിഞ്ചിനാൽ അമൃതവും നഞ്ചാം”
— English Translation:
When taken beyond measure, even nectar turns to poison. (Excess turns the greatest virtue or nourishment into poison.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അല്ലലുള്ള പുലയിയെ ചുള്ളിയുള്ള കാടറിയു”
— English Translation:
Only the brambled wild knows the struggling laborer. (True suffering is understood only by those who share the same harsh life.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അഴകുള്ള ചക്കയിൽ ചുളയില്ല”
— English Translation:
A jackfruit that looks stunning on the outside often has no sweet flesh within. (All that glitters is not gold; a dazzling exterior often hides total hollowness.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
അല്ലാത്തെടത്തിൽ ചെല്ലല്ലു; ചെന്നാല്പിന്നെ പോരല്ലു”
— English Translation:
Do not enter a place where you do not belong; but if you must go, do not back down. (Avoid dubious ground, but if duty takes you there, hold firm.)

“”
— English Translation:
One who calls every handsome stranger "father." (A shameless sycophant who curries favor with anyone wielding power or status.)