ProverbPedia

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിടിച്ചമീനിനു കല്ലുപ്പും മണ്ണുപ്പും ഇടുക”
— English Translation:
Curing the already-caught fish with rock salt and dirty dirt-salt alike. (Taking careless, slipshod liberties with an asset once it is securely captive and can no longer escape.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലക്കാ വിരിഞ്ഞ പോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like the bursting open of a milk-hedge fruit. (Scattering suddenly in all directions in complete disarray; or an explosive outburst that spreads far and wide.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിടിച്ചുവലിച്ചുകുപ്പായംഇട്ടാൽ പറിച്ചുകീറിപ്പോകും”
— English Translation:
If you violently force on a tight tunic, it will tear to shreds. (Forcing an outcome, role, or relationship beyond its natural capacity leads only to rupture and ruin.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലം കടക്കുവോളം നാരായണ, നാരായണ, പാലം കടന്നാൽ പിന്നെ കൂരായണ”
— English Translation:
Until the bridge is crossed, chanting "Narayana, Narayana"; once across, chanting "Koorayana!" (Lavishing sweet devotion and prayers while in desperate need, followed by mocking contempt and ingratitude the moment the crisis is passed.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിണംകണ്ട കഴുവെപോലെ”
— English Translation:
Like a vulture sighting a carcass. (Descending swiftly, greedily, and without pity upon someone else's misfortune to scavenge the remains.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലവുംഇട്ടു, കൈവരിയും കെട്ടി, ഇനി എന്താണുകുറ്റം”
— English Translation:
Built the bridge and fitted the handrail too; what fault could possibly remain? (Having provided every conceivable facility, convenience, and safeguard, leaving no room for further complaint.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിണംചുട്ടാലും ഋണം ചുടാ”
— English Translation:
Even if the corpse is burned to ashes, the debt cannot be incinerated. (Financial obligations and moral liabilities outlive the individual, passing directly onto the heirs.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലിനു പഞ്ചാര”
— English Translation:
Adding sugar to sweet milk. (Gilding the lily; enhancing something that is already delightful and excellent.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിന്നെയും ചങ്കരൻ തെങ്ങേൽ”
— English Translation:
Once again, Shankaran is up on the coconut palm! (Right back to square one; relapsing straight into the same old stubborn habits, blunders, or excuses despite all efforts to reform.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലിൽപിഴെച്ചാൽ നീളെപിഴക്കും”
— English Translation:
If it goes wrong in the milk, it will be defective all the way through. (A flaw introduced at the foundational, embryonic stage corrupts every subsequent step of the enterprise.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിരകിലപറിച്ച പന്തിയിൽ”
— English Translation:
In a banquet row where the banana leaves have already been cleared away. (Arriving after the feast has concluded; missing the opportunity entirely and being left with bare ground.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാലുപകർന്നുനനെക്കിലുംകാഞ്ഞരം കാലെഭുജിപ്പാൻമധുരമായ് കാണുമോ”
— English Translation:
Even if nurtured with fresh milk at its roots, will the strychnine tree ever taste sweet when eaten? (Inherent bitterness and corrupt character cannot be reformed by luxury, indulgence, or kind treatment.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിറുക്കും കെറുക്കും ഒന്നു”
— English Translation:
Sullen muttering and deep resentment spring from the same root. (Petty whining and brooding malice are merely different outward faces of the exact same bitter discontent.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാൽപ്പായസംകുടിച്ചവനു പനങ്കാടിഎന്തിനാ”
— English Translation:
Why would one who has savored rich milk pudding ever crave sour palm-ferment? (Those accustomed to supreme quality and refined delights have no appetite for coarse, inferior substitutes.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പിലാവിന്റെകാതൽ പൂതലാകുമ്പോൾ തേക്കിന്റെ ഇളന്തല പച്ചവിടും”
— English Translation:
By the time jackfruit heartwood decays into spongy rot, a teak sapling's tender shoot is only just unfurling its green. (Disparity in endurance and lifespans; institutions, materials, and men mature and decline across vastly different scales of time.)

“Malayalam Proverb:
പാൽവിളമ്പിയെടത്തു പഞ്ചതാര; മോർവിളമ്പിയെടത്തുപ്പ്”
— English Translation:
Sugar where sweet milk is poured, and salt where sour buttermilk is served. (Exercising proper discretion; providing the exact complementary accompaniment suited to each distinct occasion.)