Talk:Indian proverbs

Intlo puli bayata pilli

Its Better to be a Master of one than a jack of all

Please give me the hindi muhaavra for "Its Better to be a Master of one than a jack of all”

• অতি সন্ন্যাসীতে গাজন নষ্ট। - Ati sannyasite gajon nosto. (Bengali)
  • unthon se mor marvane (hindi)
  • Literal: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
  • Maithili equivalent: ज्यादे जोगी मठ उजाड़।

Hindi

दिन दोगुनी रात चौगुनी तरक्की करना (hindi)

• • By leap and bounds (eng.)

ऊंट के मुंह में जीरा (Hin.)

अब आया ऊंट पहाड़ के नीचे (Hindi)

• • So There you are

A

• Gai So Ganga Rahi So Ravi
  • Literal: If you are not getting what you want then leave it and be happy with what you have.

• Ati shahaana tyaacha bail rikaama (Marathi)
• आग रामेश्वरी आणि बंब सोमेश्वरी Aag Rameshwari Aanee Bamb Someshwari (Marathi)
  • Literal: Fire in Rameshwar (city at southern tip of India) and firefighting in Someshwar (city in North India)
  • Translation: The problem is one thing and the solution is given for something else.
  • Bengali equivalent: ছেলে কটা? না পুড়িয়ে খাবো। Chhele koTa? na puRiye khabO.

• আগে রূপ নেহারি, পরে গুণ বিচারি। age rUp nehari, pore guN bichari. (Bengali)
  • Literal: Looks attracts first, quality qualifies later.

• Ikkare Nilkumbol Akkare Pachha. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: The other side will be green when you are in this side
  • Translation: The grass is always greener on the other side.
  • Telugu equivalent: Poriginti pullakoora ruchi; doorapu kondalu nunupu.
  • Tamil equivalent: இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை (ikkaraikku akkarai pachchai)

• Aanakaaryam Pareyumbol Aano htrChenakkaryam? (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: When you are discussing about elephant don't talk about yam matters.
  • Translation: Do not bring up small issues during major problems.

• • Gai So Ganga Rahi So Ravi.
  • Literal: If you are not getting what you want then leave it and be happy on what you have.

• ದುಡ್ಡೇ ದೊಡ್ಡಪ್ಪ
  • In roman script: duDDE doDDappa (Kannada)
  • Literal: Money by itself is like a godfather.
  • Translation: Money is everything in real/practical world.
  • English equivalent: In God we trust, all others must pay cash.
  • Hindi:
  • Hindi Transliteration: paise hi sab kuch hai.
  • Tamil equivalent: காசேதான் கடவுளடா (kAsEthAn kadavuLadA)

• Araante ammakku pranthu pitichaal kaanaan nalla selu.. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: If somebody's mother goes mad, it is a good scene to watch
  • Translation: It is always enjoyable to make fun of others tragedy till it actually hits you.
  • Bengali equivalent: পরের ছেলে পরমানন্দ যত উচ্ছন্নে যায় তত আনন্দ। কি যাতনা বিষে বুঝিবে সে কিসে কভু আশীবিষে দংশেনি যারে?
  • Bengali Transliteration: porer chhele poromanondo Joto ucchhonne jay toto anondo ; ki Jatona biShe bujhibe se kise kobhu aSIbiShe dongseni Jare?
  • Tamil equivalent: தலைவலியும் காய்ச்சலும் தனக்கு வந்தால்தான் தெரியும் (thalai valiyum kAichchalum thanakku vandhAlthAn theriyum)

• Aalasyam amrutham visham (Sanskrit)
  • Best Chances will become Odds if you don't react in time

• तुम जियो हजारों साल,साल के दिन हो पचास हजार (Hindi)
  • Literal: May you live a thousand years and may each year have a fifty thousand days
  • Translation: May you live a long life.

• Aalu ledu Choolu ledu koduku peru somalingam(Telugu)
  • ఆలు లేదు చూలు లేదు కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం
  • Literal: You don't have a wife or conception yet but you have named your son Somalingam.
  • Translation: You are making plans without acquiring the required resources.
  • Bengali equivalent: না বিইয়ে কানাইয়ের মা। na biiye kanaiyer ma. ; গাছে কাঁঠাল গোঁফে তেল। gachhe ka^Thal, gO^fe tel.
  • Hindi equivalent: सूत ना कपास, जुलाहों में लाठा-लाठी
  • Literal Meaning: There is neither cotton nor thread, yet weavers are fighting.
  • English Transliteration: Soot naa kapaas, julaahon me laatha laathi.
  • Maithili equivalent: गाछ में कटहल, ठोर में तेल।
  • Another Maithili equivalent: पानि में मछली, नौ टुक बखड़ा।
  • Tamil equivalent: பிள்ளை பெறுமுன் பெயர் வைக்காதே (piLLai perumun peyar vaikkAdhE)
  • English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they're hatched

• अपना हीरा ना खोलिये बीच कुन्जडा - कबीर (Hindi)
  • Meaning: One should not show his diamonds to a greengrocer
  • Translation:...neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet,...-Bible{Matt.7:6(KJV)}
  • English Transliteration: Apnaa heera naa kholiye beech kunjdaa haat - Kabir

• অর্থই অনর্থের মূল। - Arthoi anorther mool. (Bengali)
  • Literal: Money is the root cause of unhappiness.

• Aap bhalaa toe jag bhalaa. (Hindi)
  • Literal: If you are noble you will find world noble.
  • Hindi equivalent: Man changa toe kathuti may Ganga.

• Cheyadagina sathavunna cheyaalemonanna bhayamu ventadutu vuntundhi...
  • Bhayamu shakthivantha mainadhe, kani nammakamu antha kanna shakthivantha mainadhi...
  • Nammakamutho mundukellu vijayamu neethone vuntundhi...
  • Translation: You have guts to do the things, but due to fear you are not willing to complete the things; accepting that fear is more power, but confidence is more power than the fear, so please move with confidence, then you will always get success.

• Akkal badi ya bhes (hindi)

B

• बाजारात तूरी आणि भट भटनीला मारी Bajaraat Toori anee bhat bhatnila maari (Marathi)
  • Literal: Lentils are still in the market and the Brahmin is beating his wife (for her failure to cook them properly).
  • Translation: Fighting for hypothetical failure of things you don't have.
  • Bengali equivalent: গরীবের ঘোড়া রোগ। gorIber ghORa rog.

• ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಕಣ್ಣು ಮುಚ್ಚಿಕೊ೦ಡು ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿದ೦ತೆ bekku kannu muchchikondu haalu kudidante (Kannada)
  • Literal: It is like a cat drinking milk with eyes closed
  • Translation: Others can see through a misdeed despite pretensions.
  • Bengali equivalent: বকধার্মিক bokdharrmik ; বেড়াল তপস্বী beRal toposwI
  • Telugu equivalent: pilli kallu musukuni palu thaginattundi
  • పిల్లి కళ్ళు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగినట్టుంది. (తెలుగు)

• biriya unda brahmana bikshe bedidananthe (Kannada) - used in the context of describing a miser person.

• bEline eddu hola mEdre hEge? (Kannada)
  • Literal: The fence itself grazed through the field.
  • Translation: A fence is meant to stop cattle from grazing. What if the fence is the culprit? This proverb comes from a skepticism of those who break laws they are supposed to uphold.
  • Bengali equivalent: সর্ষের মধ্যে ভূত sorrSher modhye bhUt.
  • కంచే చేను మేసినట్టు... (తెలుగు)
  • Tamil equivalent: வேலியே பயிரை மேய்ந்தது போல vEliyE payirai mEyndhathu pOla

• bhangi dEvarige henDaguDuka pUjari (Kannada)
  • (For the God who is on dope you need a priest who is a drunk).
  • The underlings are usually quite a match for the rogues in power whom they serve.
  • Bengali equivalent: যেমন কুকুর তেমন মুগুর Jemon kukur temon mugur যেমনি বুনো ওল তেমনি বাঘা তেঁতুল Jemoni bunO Ol temoni bagha te^tul.
  • Maithili equivalent: पीठ तब तेना करियौ, जेना बहे वयार। - Move your back according to the wind.

• bhikshukaha bhikshuken drishtwa kukkurenwat gurgurayate (sanskrit)
  • Literal: Upon seeing another beggar (on his turf) the beggar growls like a dog.
  • Professional jealousy affects everybody including beggars.

• Bhains ke aage been bajana (Hindi)
  • Literal: Playing the flute to a buffalo (is a waste)
  • Translation: Tailor your speech to your audience.
  • Gujarati equivalent: ભેસ આગળ ભાગવત Bhens aagal bhaagvat
  • Bengali equivalent: ফুটো পাত্রে জল ঢালা phuTO patre jol Dhala
  • Hindi equivalent: Bhains ke aage been bajaave, bhains khadi paguraae (buffalo busily chews cud ignoring the flute being played to it).
  • Kannada equivalent: Katthe munde kindari baarisida haage (playing musical instrument in front of a donkey).
  • Kannada equivalent: koNana munde kinnuDi baarisida haage (playing musical instrument in front of a buffalo).
  • Kannada equivalent: GorKalla meele maLe suridante (no matter how long, a stone immersed in water wont become soft. Generally used in the context of knowledge imparting to a stupid person. At the end of the day, stupidity still remains)
  • Malayalam equivalent: Poathinoadu vedham oadheettu karyam illa
  • Tamil equivalent: செவிடன் கதில் சங்கு (Sevudan Kaadhil sangu - Blowing the conch shell in the ears of the deaf)
  • Telugu equivalent: chavitodi mundu shankam oodinatlu (playing flute to a deaf person).
  • చెవిటివాడి ముందు శంఖం వూదినట్లు...
  • Marathi equivalent: 1.) गाढवाला गुळाची चव काय ? (Gadhvala gulachi chav kay?)
  • Marathi equivalent: 2.) Gadhvachya phude/ samor Geeta gayli?

C

• Chakkinu Vechatu Kokkinu Kondu. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Trap made for someone, but got trapped someone else
  • Bengali equivalent: কাগটা দেখে মারলে তীর, বকটা গেলো মরে।

• Chakkikotha chankaran. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Made for each other.
  • Bengali equivalent: ১)রাজযোটক;২)যেমন দ্যাবা তেমনি দেবী ।
  • Tamil equivalent : ஜாடிக்கேத்த மூடி - JAdikkEththa moodi.
  • urdu:bhance kay agay binbajana (into english is=bang your head against the brick wall)

• Ariyatha pilla choriumbo Ariyam. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • People feel it when they have it.

• chelige parupatya kotta haage (Kannada)
  • (It is like giving authority to a scorpion.) pEnuku pettanamistE talaMtaa tega gorigiMdaTa (telugu)
  • If the mean people get into positions of authority they cause a great damage like a scorpion, which needs no reason to sting, would work overtime if asked to do so.
  • Kannada equivalent: kaLLana kaige chavi koTTa haage (asking a thief to lookafter the wealth)
  • Kannada equivalent: kuri kaayo toLa andre.. sambaLanee beda antante. (making a wolf as watch dog for heart of sheep)

• cheviti vaadi mundu sankham oodinattu (Telugu)
  • చెవిటి వాడి ముందు శంఖం వూదినట్టు (తెలుగు)
  • (Like blowing a conch in front of a deaf person)
  • Interpretation: doing a useless thing
  • செவிடன் காதில் சங்கு - sevidan kAdhil sangu.

• Chadhuvukunna vani kanna sakalodu melu. (Telugu)
  • Dhobi is better than educated person. (English)

• chinte illadavanige santeyallU nidde (Kannada)
  • (One without worries can doze off in a market place).

• Chinta sachina pulupu chavaledhu (Telugu)
  • చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావలేదు (తెలుగు)
  • Literal Meaning: Even though the tamaring is dead, the sourness is not dead
  • Interpretation: Even though the person has lost, he hasn't lost his pride.
  • பெருங்காய டப்பா காலியானாலும் வாசனை காலியாகாது (perunkAya tappA kAliyAnAlum vAsanai kAliyAkAthu - even if the asafotida container is empty, the odor remains)

• ચપટી ધૂળની જરૂર પડે. (Gujarati)
  • chapti dhul ni jaroor pade (Gujarati)
  • Interpretation1: Sometimes only a pinch of sand is all you need.
  • Interpretation2: Sometimes you do need a pinch of sand too.
  • Even insignificant people have their importance at times.
  • Bengali equivalent: তৃণ হতে হয় কার্য রাখিলে যতনে ।
  • Tamil equivalent :சிறு துரும்புல் பல் குத்த உதவும் (ciRu thurumbum pal kutha udhavum - even a small sliver of wood can help as a toothpick)

• Chaar din ki chaandni phir andheri raat (Hindi)
  • Literal: Dark nights will return after these few moonlit nights
  • Idiomatic translation: While rejoicing during good times one should not forget that more trying times will also return. This is a natural cycle of events in nature.

• Chupdi aur doe doe! (Hindi)
  • Literal: Want two instead of one (slice of bread) and that too smeared with butter!
  • Translation: Asking for too much.
  • Bengali equivalent: বসতে পেলে শুতে চায়।

D

• dUrada beTTa nuNNage (Kannada)
  • Literal: Distant hill looks beautiful
  • English equivalent: Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
  • Hindi equivalent: Door ke dhor suhaane (distant mountains look beautiful).
  • Marathi equivalent: Duroon dongar saajre (distant mountains look beautiful).
  • Tamil equivalent: இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை (Ikkaraiku Akkarai pachai - other bank of the river looks greener)
  • Telugu equivalent: Doorapu Kondalu Nunupu
  • Malayalam equivalent: Ikkaraiku Akkara pacha
• Doodh ka doodh pani ka pani (Hindi)

E

• Ek anaar, sau bimaar (Hindi)
  • Literal: One pomegranate is all there is, and a hundred men are sick trying to get it.
  • Translation: There is a great demand for something in short supply.
• Gagar me sagar

• இளமையில் கல்வி சிலையில் எழுத்து (iLamayil kalvi, silaiyil ezhuthu) (Tamil)
  • Literal: Education in your childhood is like letters in a sculpture (this is a scenario of a cart pulled by an ox and a buffalo which do not co-ordinate well and do what they please leading to a disaster).

• etthu Iyitu andare koTTigege kaTTu andarante (Kannada)
  • Literal: The ox has delivered, Tie up the calf in the pen.
  • Translation: Those who agree to everything without using their brains are made fun of in this way.
• एक ना धड बाराभर चिंद्या. (Marathi)

• একতাই বল। - Ekotai bal. (Bengali)
  • Literal: Unity is strength.
  • Telugu equivalent: Aikhamathyame mahaabalam
  • Tamil equivalent: ஒன்றுபட்டால் உண்டு வாழ்வு - (If united, we'll have life)

• ஏட்டு சுரைக்காய் கறிக்குதவாது "Ettu suraikkAi kaRikku udhavAdhu" (Tamil)
  • Literal translation: A picture of a gourd (the vegetable) is not useful to cook with.
  • Translation: Simple theoretical knowledge alone will not help in real life practical situations.

G

• Gaadhava pudhe vaachli Geeta, Kaalcha gondhal baraa hota. गाढवापुढे वाचली गीता, कालचा गोंधळ बरा होता (Marathi)
  • भैंस के आगे बीन बजाना (Hindi) Bhains ke aage been bajana (pretty close in meaning to the above proverb)
  • Literal: After reading the Bhagwad Geeta to a donkey, yesterday's commotion seems more bearable.
  • Translation: It's no use wasting wisdom on a fool who thinks and acts like he is the only correct person in the world (he will yell louder than ever, that his words are wiser, and make more sense) Or It is no use pumping dry well.
  • Bengali equivalent: পুরোহিতে মন্ত্র পড়ে, পাঁঠার অণ্ডকোষে শোনে।

• ganDa henDira jagaLa unDu malago thanaka (Kannada)
  • Literal: The quarrel between a husband and wife lasts till they eat and go to bed.
  • Translation: Disagreements between people in love are forgotten easily.

• gaNEshanannu mADalu hOgi avara appanna mADidante (Kannada)
  • Literal: It is like trying to make an idol of Ganesh and ending up with his father.
  • Translation: A warning for the bunglers who create more trouble than fixing them.

• Gachhe kanthal , gonfe tel গাছে কাঁঠাল, গোঁফে তেল। (Bengali)
  • English equivalent: Make castles in air.
  • గాలిలో మేడలు కట్టడం.....(తెలుగు)
  • Hindi: Hawaai quile banana.

• geddettina bAla hiDida hAge (Kannada)
  • Literal: Holding the tail of the winning ox.
  • Translation: Showing affiliation to a winner.
  • English equivalent: Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan.

• Gehoo(n) ke saath ghun bhi pista hai. (Hindi)
  • Literal: Bugs infesting the wheat get ground along with it.
  • Translation: Watch the company you keep.
  • Bengali equivalent: সৎসঙ্গে স্বর্গবাস, অসৎসঙ্গে সর্বনাশ।

• giDavAgi baggaddu maravAgi baggIthe? (Kannada)
  • Literal: If it does not bend as a sapling, will it when it is a tree?
  • మొక్కై వంగనిది మానై వంగునా? (తెలుగు)
  • Translation: Those who have trouble following rules as young will get worse when they get older.
  • Bengali equivalent: কালে না নোয়ালে বাঁশ, বাঁশ করে ট্যাঁশট্যাঁশ।

• gubbi mEle bramhAstravE? (Kannada)
  • Literal: Using a Brahmaastra weapon on a sparrow? (Brahmaastra is the ultimate weapon of destruction with nothing to counter it except another Brahmaastra).
  • Translation: Using more force than necessary can have consequences beyond proportion.
  • Bengali equivalent: মশা মারতে কামান দাগা।
  • Telugu equivalent: Pichhuka pai Brahmaastram పిచ్చుకపై బ్రహ్మాస్త్రం..

• Ghar ka Jogi jogna, Aan gaon ka Siddh (Hindi)
  • Literal: A wise man to the rest of the world, but a nobody at home.
  • Translation: We do not value the the things that we already possess.
  • English equivalent: A prophet is never acclaimed at home.
  • Bengali equivalent:১) গেঁয়ো যোগী ভিখ্‌ পায় না। ২) এ পাড়ার মেধো, ও পাড়ার মধুসূদন।
  • Hindi equivalent: Ghar ki murgi daal baraabar (Chicken curry made at home is deemed the same as a simple daal curry).
  • Tamil equivalent: Ikkaraikku Akkarai pachchai (One's own wife seems very ordinary).
  • Malayalam equivalent: Muttethe Mullakku Manamilla (The jasmine shrub in your front yard has no fragrance).

• Ghaas ke dher may sui khojna. (Hindi)
  • Literal: To search for a needle in haystack.
  • Translation: A very difficult task.
  • Bengali equivalent: খড়ের গাদায় সূঁচ খোঁজা।

• Ghiste ghiste to patthar bhi gol ho jata hai. (Hindi)
  • Literal: Even a stone gets rounded by constant rubbing.
  • Translation: Hard work pays off.
  • English equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
  • Bengali equivalent: একবারে না পারিলে দেখো শতবার।

H

• halliddAga kaDle illa; kaDle iddAga hallilla (Kannada)
  • Literal: There are no nuts when one has teeth and there are no teeth when there are nuts.
  • Translation: It is frustrating that one is poor in youth when the ability to enjoy is abundant but when one finally gets rich, the faculties to enjoy are gone.
  • Daat ahet tithe chane nahit, Chane ahet thithe daat nahit (Marathi)

• ಹೋದ್ಯ್ ಪಿಶಾಚಿ ಅಂದರೆ ಬಂದೆ ಗವಾಕ್ಶಿ ಅಂತಂತೆ Hodhya pisachi amdhare bamdhe gavakshili anthanthe
  • Literal: Just when you thought a burning issue was resolved, you see the very issue appearing in another form.

• hALUrige uLidavanE GouDa (Kannada)
  • Literal: The last one remaining in a ruined village becomes the village head.
  • Translation: A dig at people in power at weak institutions.

• hADidde hADO kisubAyi dAsA (Kannada)
  • Literal: Sing the same song again, you grin-mouthed beggar.
  • Translation: A rude putdown of those who keep repeating the same argument.

• hAsige iddashTu kAlu chAchu (Kannada)
  • ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಇದ್ದಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲು ಚಾಚು
  • Literal: Stretch your legs only as far as the bed is.
  • Translation: Live within your means.
  • Hindi equivalent: Jitni lambi chaadar, utnay hee paa(n)v pasaaro.
  • Oriya equivalent: Aaya dekhi byaya kara. (Check the income, then prepare the expenditure.)
  • Tamil equivalent: Viralukku thagundha veekkam venum.

• hettorige hegNa muddu, kUDidorige kOdaga muddu (Kannada)
  • Literal: A bandicoot is lovely to his parents; a mule is pretty to its mate.
  • Translation: Love is blind.
  • Telugu equivalent: Kaaki Pilla Kakiki Mudhau (Baby crows are loved by parent crow.)
  • కాకి పిల్ల కాకికి ముద్దు...

• hiriyaNNana chALi mane mandiigellA (Kannada)
  • Literal: The elder brother’s habits are for all in the family.
  • Translation: The underlings follow the leader, especially his bad traits.

• hithala giDa maddalla (Kannada)
  • Literal: The plant in the backyard is not a medicinal herb.
  • Translation: Familiarity breeds contempt.

• hoLe nIrige doNenAykana appaNe Eke? (Kannada)
  • Literal: Who needs the approval of a city official for the water from a stream?
  • Translation: This is a rudimentary opposition to taxation and control of things taken for granted in a village life.

• hosataralli agasa gONi etti etti ogeda. (Kannada)
  • (When he was new, the washerman beat the jute bag repeatedly.)
  • People who are new on the job work eagerly and enthusiastically until they find their way and slack off. Clothes were washed in villages by Dhobis who took them to a lake, soaked them and bet the hell out of them on a rock to rid of the dirt. The amount of beating was inversely proportional to the value of the cloth. A jute bag hardly deserved attention except by one who was new to the job.

• hosa vaidyanigintha haLe rOgine mElu (Kannada)
  • Literal: An old patient is better than a new doctor.
  • Translation: This stems from a suspicion of inexperienced and untested people with education vis-a-vis wise, familiar and old fellows of dubious qualifications.

• hoTTege hiTTilladiddarU juTTige mallige hUvu (Kannada)
  • Literal: There is no food to eat but there is jasmine in the crown (wearing jasmine in the hair is considered elegant for women).
  • Translation: Dressing beyond one’s means is frowned upon as a sign of vanity.
  • Telugu equivalent: Thinadaniki Thindi Mingadaniki Methuku Ledhu, Meesalaku Sampenga nune (there is no food to eat, but there are perfumed oils for moustache)
  • తినడానికి తిండి లేదు, మీసాలకి సంపెంగ నూనె...

• huTTisida dEvaru hullu mEyisuttaneye? (Kannada)
  • (Will the God who brought us to the world make us graze on grass?)
  • This proverb mouths faith and optimism in the face of adversity.

• huchhu munDe maduveyalli unDavanE jaaNa (Kannada)
  • (In the wedding of the mad widow one who has a meal is the clever one.)
  • This earthy saying implies that one who manages to get by in a wild and chaotic situation deserves compliments.
  • A widow's wedding, that too if she is insane, is highly improbable. Only a smart person can manage to find such a wedding and even enjoy a meal there.

• hUvina jote nAru svarga sErithu. (Kannada)
  • Literal: The string used to tie the flowers also reached heaven.
  • Translation: Those who are in the company of the noble will reap the benefits by association.

I

• iddaddu idda hAge hELidre, siddappanige siDilu hoDeyitu. (Kannada)
  • Literal: When facts are said as they are, it was like the striking of lightning for Siddappa.
  • Translation: This is a dig at those who cannot take criticism and throw tantrums.

• Hyderabad Naam Muraadi Upar Choona Nechai Khali (Urdu)
  • (Hyderabadi favourite saying in appeareance very smart but from inside bears nothing)

• Ikyamathyam mahabalam. (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • Literal: Unity is strength

J

• Jal mein rehkar magar se bair (Hindi)
  • Literal: It is not wise to live in water and be an enemy of the crocodile.
  • English equivalent: It is hard to live in Rome and strive against the Pope.

• jana marulo jatre marulo (Kannada)
  • Literal: Are people stupid or the crowd stupid?
  • Translation: This proverb bemoans the irrational behavior of normal people in large crowds.

• biddarU mIse maNNAgalilla (Kannada)
  • (Upon falling, he didn't bother as his moustache didn't get soiled).
  • Moustache is a sign of pride. One who manages not to lose face despite defeat gets such compliment.

• Jibe prem kare jei jon , seijon sebichhe Ishwar (Bengali)
  • One who loves all living beings, he serves God too.

• Je jae Lankae , sei hoi Ravana (Bengali)
  • One who goes to Lanka (land of the devils), becomes Ravana (king of devils).

• Janmile morite hobe, amarattya kothaey pabey? (Bengali)
  • If you are born, you are to die, you can't be immmortal.

• जले पर नमक छिड़कना Jale par namak chidakhna (Hindi)
  • Translation: To sprinkle salt on ones burn.
  • To prick on ones problems and make them feel worse.
  • To add insult to injury.

• Janha chah vanha rah (hindi)

K

• kehna modna nahin,dakha todna nahin (Punjabi)
  • means - Will never say NO, but still won't do anything at all

• Kaali agge toi (Punjabi)
  • There theetam always be a ditch in front of a person in hurry.

tation

• Kaiyila Kaasu Vayila Dosa (Chennai Tamil)
  • Once you pay the money, you will receive the dosa a rice flour bread.
  • You will receive the benefits only after paying the due

• Kal irundhaal, naai illai. Naai irandhaal, kal illai. (Tamil)
  • (When you have a rock in hand, usually there won't be a dog to hit nearby. When there is a dog nearby, you usually won't have the rock to hit it with.)
  • Kannada: Halliddaga kadle illa, kadle iddaga Hallu illa (There is no nut when you have teeth, no teeth when you have nut.)

• Kallaik kaNdAl nAyaik kANum, NAyaik kaNdAl kallaik kANum. (Tamil)
  • (When you see dog's figure in the rock you can't realise it's a rock, when you see the rock you can't realise it's a dog (Dog's figure))
  • This is a more common form of the previous proverb, and is easily misunderstood as "When there is a dog nearby, you usually won't find a stone (to throw at it)." However what it really means is that, if you look superficially, you fail to see the real meaning. The proverb itself is a good example.

• Kaamale kaNNavanige kanDidella haLadhi. (Kannada)
  • (One suffering from Jaundice, thinks that the world around him is yellow.)
  • This proverb drives home the point that narrow minded people never look at any issue holistically.

• काखेला कळसा आणी गावाला वळसा. (Marathi)
  • Thing next to you is searched everywhere (easily available thing is searched around the world)

• कावळा बसायला आणी फांदी तुटायला एकच गाठ. (Marathi)
  • Literally, "Bird sat and branch broke." (Apparently non related events are correlated because of coincidence.)

• Kai kesaraadare baai mosaru (Kannada)
  • (You have to make your hands muddy to get curds to your mouth (In relation to agriculture))
  • English equivalent: Hard work reaps sweet success

• kAryavAsi katte kAlu (Kannada)
  • (If you need a job to be done, be prepared to fall at the feet of a donkey).

• Kudure kandre kaalu novvu. (Kannada)
  • (Your leg starts to ache when you see a horse.)
  • When you see a useful resource/means , you feel lazy to do the job/work.

• Kumhar phooti me khata hai. (Hindi)
  • (Potter always eat out of a broken plate)
  • While serving others one tends to overlook his own needs.

• keTTa mEle buddhi bantu, aTTa mEle ole uriyitu (Kannada)
  • (Got wisdom after being ruined, the stove caught fire after the cooking was done.)
  • In olden days the earthen stove (ole) used dried cowdung cakes to burn and it was no mean task to get it going. The dawn of wisdom after it is too late is often compared to the frustration with the stove which was too slow in becoming functional.

• Khuda meherban tho gadha pehelwan (Hindi)
  • (If god blesses a donkey it can become a wrestler.)
  • With grace of god even the most useless person can become great.

• kOthi kaige mANikya kotta hAge (Kannada)
  • (It is like giving a gem to a monkey.)
  • When undeserving or unqualified people are given valuable tasks such snide comments are made of them.

• Kurangu kaiyile poo malai (Tamil)
• Kurangande kayil poomala (Malayalam)
  • (It is like giving a garland to a monkey).

• kOti tAnU keDOdalde vanAnU keDisitu (Kannada)
  • (Not only did the monkey ruin himself, he also ruined the garden.)
  • This warns one not to meddle with those who can bring down their detractors with them. This proverb is a bit mischievous because the reference is to a story in the Ramayana in which Hanuman sets fire to large parts of Lanka on his mission to find Sita who was under house arrest. In fact he succeeded in his mission to deliver a message of hope to her and intimidate her abductor, Ravana. His tail was set on fire by Ravana for which Hanuman paid back by torching his palaces.

• koTTaddu tanage; bachchiTTaddu pararige (Kannada)
  • (What you give away is yours and what you hide will go to others)
  • The virtue of charity and the evil of greed are emphasized here.

• koTTavanu kOdangi, iskondavanu Irabhadra (Kannada)
  • (The one who gave is a mule, one who got it is a winner.)
  • This proverb is in contrast to the above one. It suggests that it is better to get the best deal under bad circumstances than trying to be fair and patient. You may end up with nothing in the bargain.

• kumbaLakAyi kaLLa andre hegalu muTTi nODida (Kannada)
  • (When "Pumpkin thief!" was cried out, he touched his shoulder to check.)
  • One with a guilty conscience needs no accuser.

• kumbAranige varusha; doNNege nimisha (Kannada)
  • (It is a year for the potter and it is a minute for the stick.)
  • It is easier to destroy than to build.

• Kaikku Ettinathu Vaaikku Ettala (Tamil)
• kaige banda tuttu bAyige baralilla (Kannada)
  • (The food which came to the hand did not come to mouth.)
  • There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Here the imagery is one of a child being fed by a mother who makes balls of rice mixed with curry (tuttu). This is an intimate moment of great joy and satisfaction for the child. It could lead to great unhappiness if the ball did not reach the mouth.

• kaiyalli sharaNarthi, kankuLalli doNNe (Kannada)
  • (Hands are folded but there is a stick under the arms)
  • This is a warning about those who speak softly but carry a big stick to strike when you least expect.

• koopasta mandookamu.(Sanskrit)
  • (A frog in a well)
  • This is used to refer to narrow minded inviduals. According to the stories, a frog living in a well thinks the well itself is the universe.

• Kutte Kee Poonch ko pipe main daloge to bhi seedhi nahin hogi (Hindi)
  • (You cant straighten dog's tail by putting in a hose pipe.)
  • This is to refer to the hard core people who don't change their attitude.
  • (Tamil equivalent: Naai vaalai nimirtha mudiyathu.)

• कामापुरता मामा आणि ताकापुरती आजी - Kama Poorta Mama Ani Taka Poorti Aaji (Marathi)
  • (Literal) Calls you uncle when he needs you, Calls you grandma when he needs to borrow buttermilk.
  • (Translation) Selfish creature

• ખાખરાની ખિસકોલી સાકરનો સ્વાદ શું જાણે. (Gujarati)
  • Khakhra ni Khiskoli Sakar no swaad su jaane (Gujarati)
  • A squirel who eats dried chapatis would not know the taste of sugar (literal translation)
  • Good things in life cannot be appreciated by someone who has never experienced the good things.

• Kaala agare mulA chobeibA (Oriya)
  • To munch a raddish before a deaf person.
  • This is to refer to a futile exercise.

• Kusuma parashe pata nistare (Oriya)
  • Literal Meaning: The thread (as in a garland) gets salvation in touch with the flower.
  • A novice can get recognition in the company of noble people.
  • (Tamil equivalent: Poovodu serndha naarum manakkum: The thread of the garland also smells sweet)

• koto dhaane koto chal (Bengali)
  • To know what it costs to get the result.

• Kana thile suna nahin; Suna thile kana nahi (Oriya)
  • It takes a long time to be prosporous, and when you are prospored you are not in a position to enjoy it.

• Kansari gharar para, kula dhaun dhaun dara (Oriya)
  • You cannot scare a shrewd person with small provocation.

• Ksudhar moto khadyo nai, ghoomer moto bichhana nai (Bengali)
  • There is no other food as Hunger, there is no other bed as Sleep.

• Kakkakkum than kunju pon kunju (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • Literal: Even for a crow, its own baby is a treasure.
  • Translation: Own creations will be invaluable, even though it may not be so for others

• kare koi bahre koi.’’’

L

• Life is a bridge. Cross over it, but build no house on it.

• Leek leek sab he chalen, leek he chale kapoot
  Leek chod teen he, chalen shayer singh sapoot. (Hind).

• • Execept for a poet, a lion and a worthy child, every one else

including a worthless child always trail a beaten track.

• Laathon ke bhoot baaton se nahi maante.

Translation : There are people who only understand the language of beating and not of talking.

M

• maduveyAgO gunDa endare nInE nanna henDathi anda. (Kannada)
  • (I said “Get married, Gunda”. He said :”then you are my wife.”)
  • This is a warning about fellows who latch on to those who try to help them.

• mADOdu durAchAra, mane munde brindAvana. (Kannada)
  • (What they do is evil but they have holy herbs in the front garden).
  • This is said of people whose outward behavior is impeccable but actions are despicable. Having a little garden of the Thulasi plant in front of a house was considered a sign of piety and goodness.

• maLLi maLLi manchanke eShtu kaalu andre; mooru mahtondu andlanthe. (Kannada)

• manege benki biddAga bhavi tODidaru (Kannada)
  • (When the house caught fire they began digging a well).
  • Too little, too late.

• maneyalli ili, beediyali huli (Kannada)
  • He is a rat at home, but when he comes to the street he becomes a tiger
  • Telugu equivalent:Intlo pilli,bayata puli.

• ఇంట్లో పిల్లి వీధిలో పులి...
• 'mantrakkinta uguLe jasti (Kannada)
  • (There is more spit than the chant).
  • This is said of people whose actions do not match their claims.

• mAtu ballavanige jagaLavilla, UTa ballavanige rOgavilla (Kannada)
  • (One who knows how to talk will have no fights, one who knows how to eat will have no sickness.)
  • The meaning is obvious here.

• mUrthi chikkadAdru kIrthi doDDadu (Kannada)
  • (Though the idol is small the fame is big.)
  • This is a reference to self effacing people with accomplishments. Incidentally people with accomplishments are expected to be self effacing. If not, they may be termed arrogant.

• Mokkai vanganidi maanai vanguna (Telugu)
  • (It is easier to bend a sapling than a tree.)
  • Same as "Better to nip in the bud" in English

• మొక్కై వంగనిది మానై వంగునా? (తెలుగు)
• Aindhil vizhaiyathathu aimbathil vizhaiyuma (Tamil)
  • (If it doesn't bend as a small plant, will it if it grows huge?)(Telugu)
  • (Stem that doesn't grow at the age of 5 (of a plant) will not grow at the age of 50.) (Tamil)

• Mutaththe mullaiku manamilla (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • Literal: There is no smell in Jasmine growing in one's front yard.
  • Meaning people dont recognize the talent seen in immediate/close relationships.

N

• Nhaate dhote reh gaye muh te makhi bai gaye. (Punjabi)
  • English Translation: Got nothing after so much hullaabaloo.

• navilannu nODi kembuta gari kedarisaitu (Kannada)
  • (Seeing the peacock, the rooster spread his wings).
  • Those who try to imitate people of talent and beauty, not having either of them as their own, are ridiculed like this.

• nAyi bogaLidare dEvalOka hALe? (Kannada)
  • (If the dog barks will it ruin the heaven?)
  • This is said of spiteful people who speak ill of others.

• NaanA Muni NaanA mata (Oriya)
  • Literal: Different sages have different opinions.
  • English equivalent: Doctors Differ.
  • Sanskrit equivalent: Munde munde matir-bhinnaha|

• Naak ka baal hona (Hindi)
  • Hindi: Bahut pyaara hona.
  • English equivalent: Very close to heart.

O

• ollada ganDanige mosaralli kallu (Kannada)
  • (The disagreeable husband finds stones in curds).

• Vendatha pondatti kai pattal kutram kaal pattal kutram (Tamil)
  • (An unwanted wife is always found culpable by her husband.)
  • Faults are thick when the love is thin. The wife who is loved by her husband is complimented for her cooking. When faults are found which are clearly untrue the marriage is truly on the rocks.

• Onnukil Aashante nenjath, allenkil Kallarikku purath. (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • (During the traditional Kerala Martial arts practice, the trainee is either flinging himself at the chest of the instructor or landing outside the arena.)
  • Dabbling in extremes is not helpful.

• Oont ke Muh mein Jeera. (Hindi)
  • Literal: A (small) cumin seed in a camel's mouth.
  • Translation: Too small an amount for a very large need.
  • Malayalam equivalent: Aana Vayil Ambazhanga (a small fruit in an elephant's mouth).

• Omtea Kolshear udok (Konkani)
  • Translation: Poring water with pot upside down.
  • Meaning: Poring water with pot upside down results in no water going in the pot, i.e. the entire work is wasted.

P

• Paise dee Sale nahin, Sier khurkan dee vale nahin - (Punjabi)
  • means - There is no business at all, but still very busy.

Indented line

Kadakkuvolam "Narayana Narayana" Palam Kadannal "Korayana Korayana". (Malayalam)Malayalam proverbs

• • Praise the God upto gain, then after ....

• पाद्राला पावट्याचे निमित्त.(Marathi)

Literally—chronic farter blames the beans—lazy man finds an easy excuse.

• Pinnem Chankaran Thengel.lol (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • Still repeating the same type of mistakes.

• Pratyakshya ko praman ki aavashykta nahi (Hindi) / Hath kangan ko aarsee kya (Hindi/Urdu)
  • Translation: Facts don't require proof to stand correct/ You do not require a mirror to see the bracelet.
  • Things that are visible do not need proof for their existence.

• pakkinti pulla koora ruchi (Telugu)
• పక్కింటి పుల్ల కూర రుచి... (తెలుగు)
  • translation: The neighbour's curry even if sour is tasty.
  • interpretaton: Things that are not ours always appear worth-possessing.

• pApi samudra hokkrU moLakAludda nIru (Kannada)
  • (If a sinner enters the ocean the water only comes up to the knee.)
  • This is said of those unlucky fellows for whom nothing goes well.

• Pattikku muzhuvan thenga kittiyathu pole. (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • (Like a dog that gets a whole coconut.)
  • Used in the event of someone getting something that they cannot use.

• Papi chellunnidam paathaalam. (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • (It's a hell wherever a sinner goes.)
  • Said of those who seem to have all the bad luck.

• Pen chollu kettavanu peruvazhi aadhaaram. (Malayalam) Malayalam proverbs
  • (He who listens to a woman will end up on the main street--that is, he will be reduced to begging in the street.)
  • Said to any man who is so enamoured of a woman that he does not bother to use his own judgement, but blindly agrees to her wishes.

• poriginti pulla kurra ruchi (telugu)
  • the fields on the other side look greener.

• pagole kina bole, chagole kina khay(Bengali)
  • no one can predict behaviours of a mad man.

• pazham nazhuvi paalil vizhundhathu pol (Tamil)
  • meaning:A fruit slips and falls into milk.
  • One good event failed only to give back the same with increased benefit.

• Phoolon ki ruth hai
  Thandi hawayen
  Ab unki marzi
  Aaen na aaen (Hyderabadi sher)

R

• rAmeshwarakke hOdaru shanIshwarana kATa tappalilla. (Kannada)
• Raameswaram vellina shaneeswaram tappaledu. (Telugu)
• రామేశ్వరం పోయినా శనీశ్వరం తప్పలేదు. (తెలుగు)
  • (Even after going to Rameshvaram (a holy place) the torture of Saturn (god of bad luck) did not stop.)
  • This is said of people whose bad luck does not go away whatever they do. Saturn is considered a bad sign in astrology bringing bad luck. A visit to holy places often counters the effect except for those unfortunate souls referred to in this proverb.

• Raatra thodee, songe faar. (Marathi) रात्र थोडी सोंगे फार
  • (Too many things to do in too short a time.)

• rOgi bayasiddu hAlu anna vaidya hELiddu hAlu anna. (Kannada)
  • (The patient wanted rice with milk and the doctor prescribed rice with milk).
  • This is what you say when things turn out fine under circumstances expected to be harsh. A meal of rice with milk is a euphemism for getting what one wants.

• Rogi ichichathum pAlu, vaidyan kalpichathum pAlu (Malayalam)Malayalam proverbs
  • (The patient wanted milk and the doctor prescribed milk).
  • This is what you say when things turn out fine under circumstances expected to be harsh.

S

• Nau Sau चूहे खाकर बिल्ली हज को चली (Hindi) Nau Sau choohey khakar billi hajj ko chali
  • (Feasting on hundreds of mice the cat embarks on a pilgrimage)
  • A remark for a person who tries to veil his/her shameful - and in most cases deliberate acts - by trying to do righteous deeds in order to improve his/her image in the sight of the world.
  • An attempt to apparently undo detestable acts committed by a person.

• Saddi na bulai, main laaddhe di tai (Punjabi)
  • (I need no invitation, I am aunt of the bridegroom)
  • (She was not invited, but came, calling herself as aunt of bridegroom)
  • Appearing at a party with full enthusiaim but without an invitation.

• Sawan ke andhe ko sab hara hi hara nazar aata hai. (Hindi)
  • (One who goes blind in spring, sees only greenery all around.)
  • Used for people who fail to see reality, especially dire circumstances when they have lived through prosperous times.

• "Sweet are the sounds of the flute and the lute," say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children.
  • The Tirukural by Saint Tiruvalluvar (translation)

• sAvira suLLu heLi onDu maDuve mAdu (Kannada)
  • (Utter a thousand lies and perform a wedding).
  • వెయ్యి అబద్ధాలాడైనా ఒక పెళ్ళి చేయమన్నారు...(తెలుగు)
  • A little deceit in the performance of good deeds is forgivable. Arranging a wedding was considered a good deed worthy of praise in India. An old maid was a source of stigma for the family and one who came to the rescue by whatever means was considered a savior.

• samsAra guTTu; vyAdhi raTTu (Kannada)
  • (Family matters should be kept secret; a disease should be brought to the open).
  • This is in a society where insurance companies are not watching. The reason to reveal ailments is with a hope that a cure may be found in the process. Laundering the dirty linen in public serves no purpose however.

• sankaTa bandAga venkaTaramana (Kannada)
  • (Seeking God when in sorrow.)
  • This is said of those who have no true faith or belief but seek God's help only when calamity strikes.

• shiva pUje madhye karaDi biTTa hAge (Kannada)
  • (Like bringing a bear in the middle of a pUja.)
  • This is said when bungling idiots intrude when they should not. NOTE: It was brought to my attention that the original version of the proverb is as follows:
• shiva pUje madhye karaDige biTTa hAge (Kannada)
  • Lingayats wear a string around their body that has a small Linga, called KaraDige, tied to it. The gAde says that the Shiva Puje cannot go on if you forget the karadige, not withstanding all else you may have done in preparation. Over a period of time, the KaraDige has become KaraDi.

T

Tini Tumdare Chheli Kukura (Oriya)

• Literal:Three persons can proof a goat as a dog.
  

• English Equivalent: It takes two to lie — one to lie and one to listen.
  

Thinking well is good, Planning Well is better, Doing well is best.

• tala pAgA chuTTukOvaDam rAka tala vankara annAru (Telugu)
• తల పాగా చుట్టుకోవడం రాక తల వంకర అన్నారు(Telugu)
  • Literal: Not knowing how to tie headgear, someone said the head is uneven.
  • English Equivalent: A bad workman blames his tools.

• Thala Irikkumbol, Valu-attaruthu. (Malayalam)Malayalam proverbs
  • When Head (elders) are present, tail should not wag (let them decide)

• Thala marannu enna thekaruthu. (Malayalam)Malayalam proverbs
  • (Don't forget the head when applying oil to your body)
  • Should always remember the things (favour done to us) in priority
  • Don't forget the past

• To the mediocre, mediocrity appears great (Translation)
• To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak (Translation)

• tumbida koDa tuLukuvudilla. (Kannada)/ Adh jal gagri chalkat jaye.(Hindi)
  • (The pot which is full does not splash).

నిండు కుండ తొణకదు. (తెలుగు)

• • This is said to contrast the unassuming good guys against the shallow show-offs. Or also, silence is an attribute of the wise.

• Tumhara pyar pyar, mera pyar chakkar (Hindi)
  • (Your love is true love, my love is an affair)
  • When a person considers his cause greater than another person's cause

• tum kare to chamatkaar, hum kare to balaatkaar (Hindi)
  • (whatever you do is fair, the same thing if I do it, its unfair)

• तेल गेले, तुप गेले, हाती आले धुपाटणे (tel gele toop gele, haati aale dhupaatane)(Marathi)
  • (Literal)Lost oil, lost butter, only left with two sided bowl.

U

• unDeyEnO gunDA endare munDAsu mUvattu moLa anda. (Kannada)
  • (When asked “Did you eat, Gunda?” he said “the turban is thirty feet long).
  • This is said of people who do not get what is asked of them and go round in circles.

• UrigobbaLu padmAvati (Kannada)
  • (only one beauty for the village.)
  • This is a put down of leaders of mediocre groups.
• Unda ele etto gunda andre, undavaru eshtu anda

V

• Vaadi Prati Aayi. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: plaintif became the culprit

• Vadi Koduthe Adi Maedikkuka. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: Get hit by the stick you provided

• Vaidyan kalpichathum roogi itchichedum paal. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: What doctor prescribed and what patient wanted were same
  • Kannada equivalent: rOgi bayasiddu haalUanna, vaidya hEliddU haalUanna.

• Vaidyan Oothi Oothi Pilla Keninju Keniju. (Malayalam proverbs)
  • Literal: Doctor tried all the medicine, still no result on the kid.

• वासरात लंगडी गाय शहाणी vasarat langadi gaay shahani (Marathi) / Andhon main kana raja (Hindi)
  • Literal: Amongst calves handicapped cow is wise
  • Translation: In the land of the the blind, a one-eyed man is the king
  • Telugu equivalent: Yey vriksham leni voorloe, aamudha chettu maha vriksham (In a treeless town, the castor tree is treated a great tree)
  • Tamil equivalent: Aaalai Illa oorukku Illuppai Poo Sakkarai (In a town without a (sugar) factory, the Illuppai flower is treated as sugar)

* Vaithinakku koduppathaivida vaniyannukku kodu (Tamil)

• • Literal: Vaithiyan : physician , vaniyan : people who deal with oil and nut business. meaning : instead of spending money to the physician for the illness, get good food item from vaniyan to take care your self Note: for taking the oil both people use this quote.

• विनाशकाले विपरित बुध्दी Vinashkale Vipareet Buddhi (Sanskrit)
  • Translation: When the end is nearing, the intellect gets impaired.
  • Kannada equivalent: haaLugeDO kaalakke hadageTTa buddhi.

W

• When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice. (Kabir Das)

Jab hum paida huye jag hanse hum roye. Aisi karani kar chalo hum hanse jag roye.

• When u remember the best days of your life, You will remeber the day when u gave love to someone special.

पथर से पारस होना

cHaarpai todna

Tamil proverbs

• மனம் இருந்தால் மார்க்கம் உண்டு (Tamil)
  • Transliteration: Manam irundhal Maarkam Undu.
  • English Equivalent: Where there is a will, there is a way.
  • Kannada Equivalent: Manasiddare Marga. (ಮಾನಸಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಾರ್ಗ.)

• ஊரோடு ஒத்து வாழ் (Tamil)
  • Transliteration: Oorodu Othu Vaal.
  • English Equivalent: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

ಅಕ್ಕನ ಗಂಡನ ಕೂಡ ದುಕ್ಕ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೆ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಮರಿಯ ಬುಟ್ಟು ಬಾ ಅಂದ akkan gaMDana kUDe dukka hELidre, makkaL mariya buTTu baa aMda Literal: When she shared her troubled life with her elder sister’s husband, he said, forsake your children and come to me.

• எட்டா கனி

ಆರುವ ದೀಪಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಂತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು

aaruva dIpakke kaaMti heccu

Literal: a dying out flame dazzles more

Meaning: This suggests subtly the final glow or false promise before the approaching end.

Canaresian proverbs

ಆರು ಕಾಸಿನ ಸಂಬಳ ಆದರೂ, ಅರಮನೆಯ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡು

aaru kaasina saMbaLa aadarU, aramaneya kelasa maaDu

Literal: Even if the salary is worth six penny be employed in the palace

Meaning: Always do a respectable job, although there is less monetary benefit.

ಆಲಸ್ಯಾತ್ ಅಮೃತಂ ವಿಷಂ

aalasyaat aMrutaM viShaM

Literal: By delay nectar is (=turns into) poison.

Meaning: Opportunity unavailed becomes harmful. One should not delay.

Equivalent: Idleness is the root of all evil

Proposed Merger

Precedent has told us to sort proverbs by language rather than country. Spannerjam (talk) 09:38, 24 June 2019 (UTC)