Indian proverbs

'''Proverbs from all Indian speaking parts of the

Quotes

 * "What is the use of going to the hills in search of honey if it is available at home?" as a Sanskrit proverb says.
 * Quoted from Swami Vivekananda, "The work before us" (Delivered at the Triplicane Literary Society, Madras), Complete Works, vol. 3


 * सौ सोनार की, एक लोहार की (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Sau sunar ki ek luhar ki.
 * A single blow of a blacksmith is equal to a hundred blows of a goldsmith.
 * "Things that need a hundred nuanced actions can be achieved with a single coarse action."
 * Source:
 * Source:


 * வெளுத்ததெல்லாம் பாலல்ல / மின்னுவதெல்லாம் பொன்னல்ல (Tamil)
 * Transliteration: Velluthathellam Paal alla.
 * All the things that are white are not milk.
 * English Equivalent: All that glitters is not gold
 * Kannada Equivalent: "bellage irodella halalla" (ಬೆಳ್ಳಗೆ ಇರೋದೆಲ್ಲ ಹಾಲಲ್ಲ.)


 * जान है तो जहान है(Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Jaan hai to Jahan Hai.
 * (If) there's life, then there's the world.
 * English equivalent: After us, the deluge.
 * Meaning: Only if you are alive, things matter.
 * Source:


 * जंगल में मोर नाचा किस ने देखा ? (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Jangal main mor nacha, kisne dekha?
 * English equivalent: He was in Rome and did not see the pope.
 * Source:


 * जिस की लाठी उस की भैंस (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Jis ki lathi usi ki bhains.
 * Meaning: Whoever owns the lathi (a huge cane/stick) eventually owns the buffalo.
 * English equivalent: Might is right.
 * Source:


 * जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥
 * Transliteration: Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi. (Sanskrit)
 * One's mother and homeland are greater than even heaven.
 * Source: Ramayana (when Ravana's brother Bibhisan asks Rama to take charge of Lanka after defeating Ravana, Rama says the above words, indicating his willingess to return to his own kingdom)


 * घर का भेदी लंका ढाये (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Ghar ka bhedi lanka dhaye.
 * The insider who knows all the secrets can bring down Lanka (a very prosperous city in Hindu mythology)
 * Meaning: Beware of the insider, for he can bring down the biggest setup (because of his insider knowledge).
 * Bengali equivalent: ঘরের শত্রু বিভীষণ।
 * Source:


 * बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad.
 * What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger?
 * Meaning: Someone who can't understand can't appreciate (or) Someone without refined tastes cannot appreciate a fine thing.
 * English equivalent: Laying pearls before swine.
 * Bengali equivalent: চাষা কি জানে কর্পূরের গুণChasa ki jane karpurer gun
 * Kannada equivalent: Kattheg enu gotthu Kasthuri parimala (A donkey would not know the scent of Kasthuri)
 * Malayalam equivalent: Nallathe ariyo nayike (Does the dog know what's good)
 * Marathi equivalent: गाढवाला गुळाची चव कायGaadhavala gulaachi chav kay (A donkey cannot appreciate the taste of jaggery)
 * Tamil equivalent: கழுதைக்குத் தெரியுமா கற்பூர வாசனை ? - Kazhudaikku theriyuma karpoora vaasanai? (What does a donkey know about the fragrance of camphor?)
 * Telugu equivalent: Gadida kemi thelusu Gandapu vasana (or) Pandi kemi thelusu panneru vasana.
 * గాడిదకేం తెలుసు గంధపు వాసన? (లేదా)పందికేం తెలుసు పన్నీరు వాసన?
 * Source:


 * अब पछताए होत क्या जब चिड़िया चुग गई खेत (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: ''Ab pachhtaaye hote kya, jab chidiya chug gayi khet?’’
 * What is the use of crying when the birds ate the whole farm?
 * Meaning: There is no use crying over something that has already finished/happened.
 * English equivalent: There is no use crying over spillt milk.
 * Telugu equivalent: Chethulu kalaka akulu pattukunnattu
 * Sanskrit equivalent: गोतोस्यो सोचोन नास्ति (यथा कर्मो तथा सस्ति)
 * Source:


 * नौ सौ चूहे खाके बिल्ली हज को चली (Hindi)
 * Transliteration: Nau sau chuhe khake billi haj ko chali.
 * After eating 900 hundred rats, the cat goes to Hajj.
 * Use: When a person starts behaving saintly or shows fake goodness after committing some very serious crimeshttp://urduboli.blogspot.com/2016/07/urdu-english-proverbs-2.html
 * Source:


 * आसमान से गिरे खजूर में अटके (Hindi)
 * Literal: Fell from the sky, got stuck in a date palm.
 * English equivalent: From the frying pan into the fire.
 * Meaning: While trying to avoid a a bad situation one might end up in an even worse situation.
 * Marathi equivalent: Aagitun fufaatyaat padane. आगीतून फुफाट्यात पडणे
 * Tamil equivalent: வாணலிக்குத் தப்பி அடுப்பில் விழுந்தது போல (vANalikkuth thappi aduppil vizhundhathu pOla) (out of the frying pan, onto the stovetop)
 * Telugu equivalent: Anna prasanannpude avakayi annam pettaru.
 * Literal: A child is not fed with pickled rice at the time of naming ceremony.

ಅಪ್ಪನ ಮಾತು, ಆನೆಯ ಬಲ

appana maatu, aaneya bala

Literal: father's approval [provides one with] the strength of an elephant [morally].

ಅಣ್ಣ ತಮ್ಮನ ಬೇರೆ ಮಾಡ ಬೇಡ

aNNa tammana bEre maaDa bEDa

Literal: don't part two brothers.

ಆರೊಗ್ಯವೇ ಭಾಗ್ಯ

aarOgyavE bhaagya

Literal: Health is wealth.

Meaning: In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.

ಅಲ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ ಬಂದರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ರಾತ್ರೀಲಿ ಕೊಡೆ ಹಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ

alpanige aishwarya baMdare ardha raatrIli koDe hiDisikoMDa

Literal: if an inferior gets riches, he demands an umbrella to be held over his head at midnight

Meaning: this is indirect way of saying a person should be poised and should maintain his emotional balance, when fortune smiles on him.

Equivalent: No pride like that of a enriched begger

ಅಳಿವುದೇ ಕಾಯ ಉಳಿವುದೇ ಕೀರ್ತಿ

aLivudE kaaya uLivudE kIrti

Literal: the body dies, the fame lives.

Meaning: the acquired name and fame of a person lives longer than the self.

ಅಳಿಯ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳ ಗಂಡ

aLiya alla magaLa gaMDa

Literal: [he is] not my Son-in-law, but my daughter's husband.

Meaning: The fact does not change by saying it in a different way.

ಆಡಿದರೆ ಅರಗಿಣಿ ಕಾಡಿದರೆ ನಾಗರ ಕಾಟ

aaDidare aragiNi kaaDidare naagara kaaTa

Literal: if you act out you are a royal parrot, if annoyed, you bother like a cobra

Meaning: when things are fine you are excellent companion, the moment it goes wrong you are like a serpent

ಅಳೋ ಗಂಡ್ಸನ್ನು ನಗೋ ಹೆಂಗ್ಸನ್ನು ನಂಬಬಾರದು

aLO gaMD'sannu nagO heMg'sannu naMbabaaradu

Literal: never believe a man who is cry-prone nor a female who is smile-prone

Meaning: Do not believe a man who cries for everything and similarly a lady who smiles things away.

ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಪಾಪ! ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ಆಯಸ್ಸು

ayyO paapa aMdre ardha aayassu

Literal: if you pity [on somebody], [you have] half life.

Meaning: show pity on someone your lifespan will be cut short i.e., you spend half your life worrying about it.

Meaning: Don't be kind to one and everyone, some times people take you for a ride

ಆಡುವವ ಆಡಿದ್ರೆ ನೋಡುವವಗೆ ಸಿಗ್ಗು

aaDuvava aaDidre nODuvavage siggu

Literal: If an actor enacts [indecently/without inhibitions], the spectator is ashamed

Meaning: an actor may perform to the embarrassment of the spectator

ಅಂಜಿದವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಹಾರಿದಂಗೆ

aMjidavana mEle kappe haaridaMge

Literal: It's like frog jumping on a person who is already afraid (of it).

ಅಲ್ಲದ ಕನಸು ಕಂಡರೆ ಎದ್ದು ಕುಂಡ್ರು.

allada kanasu kaMDare eddu kuMDru

Literal: if you see a negative dream, get up and sit.

Meaning: wake up to the alaraming calls

ಅಡ್ಡ ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ದೀಪ ಇಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ

aDDa gODeya mEle dIpa iTTa hAge

Literal: It is like placing a lamp atop a partitioning wall.

Equivalent: He is as undecided as an orphan: if he does not wash his hands, he is called dirty, if he does, he is wasting water.

Usage: This is said of people who refuse to take sides (/ take a stand). Sometimes, it is used in the negative sense to chide people who are indecisive.

ಆರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಅತ್ತೆ ಕಡೆ, ಮೂರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಸೊಸೆ ಕಡೆ

aaru koTTare atte kaDe, mUru koTTare sose kaDe

Literal: Give him six denominations he sides with mother-in law (backs her up), give him three denominations he sides with daughter-in-law (backs her up).

ಅಡಿಕೆಗೆ ಹೋದ ಮಾನ ಆನೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೂ ಬರದು

aDikege hOda maana aane koTTarU baradu

Literal: The reputation lost on a betelnut won't comeback though you donate an elephant.

Meaning: The reputation lost on trivial things cannot be regained by donating big alms.

Equivalent: A wounded reputation is seldom cured

ಅಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಅರಿವೆಯ ಚಿಂತೆ, ಮೊಮ್ಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಜ್ಜಾಯದ ಚಿಂತೆ

ajjige ariveya chinte, mommagaLige kajjaayada chinte

Literal: Grandma is worried about her worn out dress; the Granddaughter worried about having a sweet dish.

Meaning: This is said of irresponsible youngsters who expect a lot from parents who struggle to make ends meet. Used to stress the importance of prioritizing.

Equivalent: Every heart has its own ache

ಅಕ್ಕಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸೆ, ನೆ೦ಟರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿ

akkiya mEle aase, neMTara mEle prIti

Literal: She has desire for rice(likes saving it) and has love for her relatives too.

Equivalent: you cannot have a cake and eat it too.

Equivalent: I love you well but touch not my pocket

ಅ೦ಬಲಿ ಕುಡಿಯುವವನಿಗೆ ಮೀಸೆ ಹಿಡಿಯುವವ ಒಬ್ಬ

aMbali kuDiyuvavanige mIse tikkuvanobba

Literal: For the one who drinks porridge, [there is] a person to hold moustache.

Meaning: The one who subsists on porridge, has got an attender to trim his moustache.

Usage: This is said of people who live beyond their means.

Equivalent: Nothing agrees worse than a proud mind and a begger's purse

Equivalent: Little roast great boast

ಅ೦ತೂ ಇಂತೂ ಕು೦ತಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಇಲ್ಲ.

aMtU iMtu kuMti makkaLige eMtU rajyavilla

Literal: somehow Kunti's sons have got no state [to rule].

Usage: This proverb is reserved for unlucky ones who never make it however they struggle.

history: The Pandavas, sons of Kunti, spent their childhood and youth in exile. After they finally won the great battle of Mahabharata there was nothing to rule but a ghost kingdom.

ಅತ್ತೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ; ಸೊಸೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ

attegondu kaala; sosegondu kaala

Literal: [There is] a time for mother-in-law and a time for daughter-in-law.

Usage: The image of the mother-in-law who ruled the roost in joint families with a vengeance to make up for the indignities suffered during her daughter-in-law days is evident here.

Equivalent: Every dog has his day

ಆಸೆಯೇ ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಲ

aaseyE duHKakke mUla

Literal: greed is the rootcause of sorrow.

ಆಳ್ ಮೇಲ್ ಆಳ್ ಬಿದ್ದು ಗೋಣು ಬರಿದಾಯ್ತು

aaL mEl aaL biddu gONu baridaaytu

(= ಒಬ್ಬರು ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಿಸಿ, ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಲು ಒಬ್ಬರು ಇಲ್ಲ) (ಆಳ್ = ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ; ಗೋಣು = ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಯ ಹಿಂಭಾಗ, ಹೊರೆ ಹೊರಲು ಬಳಸುವ ಹೆಗಲಿನ ಭಾಗ)

Literal: [each] servant turn(fell) on [the other] servant and the shoulder/s [which were supposed to share owner's burden] cleared out!

Meaning: This is said referring to a group of individuals.[When occassion called for taking up the responsibility,] Each individual passed the buck to the other individual and there was none left to shoulder the responsibility.

ಅರಿಯದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪಾಪ ಅರಿತಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ

ariyade maaDida paapa aritandu parihaara

Literal: a sin did without realizing is cured when you realize it.

Meaning: a sin committed out of mistake could be rectified when you look back on it.

Equivalent: a fault confessed is half redressed

ಅಕ್ಕರೆಯಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ದುಃಖವುಂಟು

akkareyiddalli duHKavunTu

Literal: where there is love, there is grief.

Meaning: love accompanies grief.

ಅಕ್ಕನ ಚಿನ್ನವಾದ್ರೂ ಅಕ್ಕಸಾಲಿ ಟೊಣೆಯದೆ(=ಕದಿಯದೆ) ಬಿಡ

akkana cinnavAdrU akkasAli ToNeyade(=kadiyade) biDa

Literal: Though the gold belongs to his own sister, a goldsmith wouldn't let it without swindling

Equivalent: I would cheat my own father at cards.

ಆಯಕಟ್ಟು ಇಲ್ಲದವನಿಗೆ ಆರುಕಟ್ಟು ವಿಭೂತಿ

aaya-kaTTu illadavanige aaru-kaTTu vibhUti

Literal: a person with no physique/vitality/propriety has six packs of holy-ash [i.e., he would resort to a consecrated ointment to ward off any harm/danger to himself]

Meaning: no fighting spirit would make a man [pseudo] religious

ಅವನು ಸಗಣಿ ತಿಂತಾನೆ, ನೀನೂ ತಿಂತೀಯಾ?

avanu sagaNi tiMtaane, nInU tiMtIyaa?

Literal: He eats dung, would you eat it too?

Meaning: Don't follow others blindly.

ಅಡಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದರೂ ಮೂಗು ಮೇಲೆ

aDige biddarU mUgu mEle

Literal: though he fell to the feet, his nose is above the feet [i.e., his nose is not touching the feet]

Equivalent: Though vanquished, he could still argue.


 * बूँद-बूँद से घड़ा भरता है (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Boond-boond se ghara bharta hai.


 * It takes drop by drop to fill a pitcher.


 * English equivalent: Persistence leads to success.


 * "A drop hollows out the stone by falling not twice, but many times; so too is a person made wise by reading not two, but many books."
 * (Giordano Bruno, Il Candelaio)

Quotes

 * सौ सोनार की, एक लोहार की (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Sau sunar ki ek lauhar ki.


 * A single blow of a blacksmith is equal to a hundred blows of a goldsmith.


 * Meaning: Generally used to demonstrate the power of a strong person to a weak one.


 * Source:


 * வெளுத்ததெல்லாம் பாலல்ல / மின்னுவதெல்லாம் பொன்னல்ல (Tamil)


 * Transliteration: Veluthathellam Paal alla.


 * All the things that are white are not milk.


 * English Equivalent: All that which is white is not milk.


 * (Alternate): All that glitters is not gold


 * Kannada Equivalent: "bellage irodella halalla" (ಬೆಳ್ಳಗೆ ಇರೋದೆಲ್ಲ ಹಾಲಲ್ಲ.)


 * जान है तो जहान है(Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Jaan hai to Jahan Hai.


 * (If) there's life, then there's the world.


 * English equivalent: After us, the deluge.


 * Meaning: Only if you are alive, things matter.


 * Source:


 * जंगल में मोर नाचा किस ने देखा ? (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Jangal main mor nacha, kisne dekha?


 * Who saw a peacock dance in the woods?


 * Meaning: Even a very good thing will have to be made public, to be acclaimed by people.


 * Source:


 * जिस की लाठी उस की भैंस (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Jis ki lathi usi ki bhains.


 * Meaning: Whoever owns the lathi (a huge cane/stick) eventually owns the buffalo.


 * English equivalent: Might is right.


 * Source:


 * जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥


 * Transliteration: Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi. (Sanskrit)


 * One's mother and homeland are greater than even heaven.


 * Source: Ramayana (when Ravana's brother Bibhisan asks Rama to take charge of Lanka after defeating Ravana, Rama says the above words, indicating his willingess to return to his own kingdom)


 * घर का भेदी लंका ढाये (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Ghar ka bhedi lanka dhayey.


 * The insider who knows all the secrets can bring down Lanka (a very prosperous city in Hindu mythology)


 * Meaning: Beware of the insider, for he can bring down the biggest setup (because of his insider knowledge).


 * Bengali equivalent: ঘরের শত্রু বিভীষণ।


 * Source:


 * बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Bandar kya jaane adark ka swaad.


 * What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger?


 * Meaning: Someone who can't understand can't appreciate (or) Someone without refined tastes cannot appreciate a fine thing.


 * English equivalent: Laying pearls before swine.


 * Bengali equivalent: চাষা কি জানে কর্পূরের গুণChasa ki jane karpurer gun


 * Kannada equivalent: Kattheg enu gotthu Kasthuri parimala (A donkey would not know the scent of Kasthuri)


 * Malayalam equivalent: Nallathe ariyo nayike (Does the dog know what's good)


 * Marathi equivalent: गाढवाला गुळाची चव कायGaadhavala gulaachi chav kay (A donkey cannot appreciate the taste of jaggery)


 * Tamil equivalent: கழுதைக்குத் தெரியுமா கற்பூர வாசனை ? - Kazhudaikku theriyuma karpoora vaasanai? (What does Donkey know about the odor of Camphor?)


 * Telugu equivalent: Gadida kemi thelusu Gandapu vasana (or) Pandi kemi thelusu panneru vasana.


 * గాడిదకేం తెలుసు గంధపు వాసన? (లేదా)పందికేం తెలుసు పన్నీరు వాసన?


 * Source:


 * अब पछताए होत क्या जब चिड़िया चुग गई खेत (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: ''Ab pachhtaaye hote kya, jab chidiya chug gayi khet?’’


 * What is the use of crying when the birds ate the whole farm?


 * Meaning: There is no use crying over something that has already finished/happened.


 * English equivalent: There is no use crying over spillt milk.


 * Telugu equivalent: Chethulu kalaka akulu pattukunnattu


 * Sanskrit equivalent: गोतोस्यो सोचोन नास्ति (यथा कर्मो तथा सस्ति)


 * Source:


 * नौ सौ चूहे खाके बिल्ली हज को चली (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Nau sau chuhe khake billi haj ko chali.


 * After eating 900 hundred rats, the cat goes to Hajj.


 * Source:


 * आसमान से गिरे खजूर में अटके (Hindi)


 * Literal: Fell from the sky, got stuck in a date palm.


 * English equivalent: From the frying pan into the fire.


 * Meaning: While trying to avoid a a bad situation one might end up in an even worse situation.


 * Marathi equivalent: Aagitun fufaatyaat padane. आगीतून फुफाट्यात पडणे


 * Tamil equivalent: வாணலிக்குத் தப்பி அடுப்பில் விழுந்தது போல (vANalikkuth thappi aduppil vizhundhathu pOla)


 * Telugu equivalent: Anna prasanannpude avakayi annam pettaru.


 * Literal: A child is not fed with pickled rice at the time of naming ceremony.



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

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.

ಅಪ್ಪನ ಮಾತು, ಆನೆಯ ಬಲ

appana maatu, aaneya bala

Literal: father's approval [provides one with] the strength of an elephant [morally].

ಅಣ್ಣ ತಮ್ಮನ ಬೇರೆ ಮಾಡ ಬೇಡ

aNNa tammana bEre maaDa bEDa

Literal: don't part two brothers.

ಆರೊಗ್ಯವೇ ಭಾಗ್ಯ

aarOgyavE bhaagya

Literal: Health is wealth.

Meaning: In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.

ಅಲ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ ಬಂದರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ರಾತ್ರೀಲಿ ಕೊಡೆ ಹಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ

alpanige aishwarya baMdare ardha raatrIli koDe hiDisikoMDa

Literal: if an inferior gets riches, he demands an umbrella to be held over his head at midnight

Meaning: this is indirect way of saying a person should be poised and should maintain his emotional balance, when fortune smiles on him.

Equivalent: No pride like that of a enriched begger

ಅಳಿವುದೇ ಕಾಯ ಉಳಿವುದೇ ಕೀರ್ತಿ

aLivudE kaaya uLivudE kIrti

Literal: the body dies, the fame lives.

Meaning: the acquired name and fame of a person lives longer than the self.

ಅಳಿಯ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳ ಗಂಡ

aLiya alla magaLa gaMDa

Literal: [he is] not my Son-in-law, but my daughter's husband.

Meaning: The fact does not change by saying it in a different way.

ಆಡಿದರೆ ಅರಗಿಣಿ ಕಾಡಿದರೆ ನಾಗರ ಕಾಟ

aaDidare aragiNi kaaDidare naagara kaaTa

Literal: if you act out you are a royal parrot, if annoyed, you bother like a cobra

Meaning: when things are fine you are excellent companion, the moment it goes wrong you are like a serpent

ಅಳೋ ಗಂಡ್ಸನ್ನು ನಗೋ ಹೆಂಗ್ಸನ್ನು ನಂಬಬಾರದು

aLO gaMD'sannu nagO heMg'sannu naMbabaaradu

Literal: never believe a man who is cry-prone nor a female who is smile-prone

Meaning: Do not believe a man who cries for everything and similarly a lady who smiles things away.

ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಪಾಪ! ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ಆಯಸ್ಸು

ayyO paapa aMdre ardha aayassu

Literal: if you pity [on somebody], [you have] half life.

Meaning: show pity on someone your lifespan will be cut short i.e., you spend half your life worrying about it.

Meaning: Don't be kind to one and everyone, some times people take you for a ride

ಆಡುವವ ಆಡಿದ್ರೆ ನೋಡುವವಗೆ ಸಿಗ್ಗು

aaDuvava aaDidre nODuvavage siggu

Literal: If an actor enacts [indecently/without inhibitions], the spectator is ashamed

Meaning: an actor may perform to the embarrassment of the spectator

ಅಂಜಿದವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಹಾರಿದಂಗೆ

aMjidavana mEle kappe haaridaMge

Literal: It's like frog jumping on a person who is already afraid (of it).

ಅಲ್ಲದ ಕನಸು ಕಂಡರೆ ಎದ್ದು ಕುಂಡ್ರು.

allada kanasu kaMDare eddu kuMDru

Literal: if you see a negative dream, get up and sit.

Meaning: wake up to the alaraming calls

ಅಡ್ಡ ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ದೀಪ ಇಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ

aDDa gODeya mEle dIpa iTTa hAge

Literal: It is like placing a lamp atop a partitioning wall.

Equivalent: He is as undecided as an orphan: if he does not wash his hands, he is called dirty, if he does, he is wasting water.

Usage: This is said of people who refuse to take sides (/ take a stand). Sometimes, it is used in the negative sense to chide people who are indecisive.

ಆರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಅತ್ತೆ ಕಡೆ, ಮೂರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಸೊಸೆ ಕಡೆ

aaru koTTare atte kaDe, mUru koTTare sose kaDe

Literal: Give him six denominations he sides with mother-in law (backs her up), give him three denominations he sides with daughter-in-law (backs her up).

ಅಡಿಕೆಗೆ ಹೋದ ಮಾನ ಆನೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೂ ಬರದು

aDikege hOda maana aane koTTarU baradu

Literal: The reputation lost on a betelnut won't comeback though you donate an elephant.

Meaning: The reputation lost on trivial things cannot be regained by donating big alms.

Equivalent: A wounded reputation is seldom cured

ಅಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಅರಿವೆಯ ಚಿಂತೆ, ಮೊಮ್ಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಜ್ಜಾಯದ ಚಿಂತೆ

ajjige ariveya chinte, mommagaLige kajjaayada chinte

Literal: Grandma is worried about her worn out dress; the Granddaughter worried about having a sweet dish.

Meaning: This is said of irresponsible youngsters who expect a lot from parents who struggle to make ends meet. Used to stress the importance of prioritizing.

Equivalent: Every heart has its own ache

ಅಕ್ಕಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸೆ, ನೆ೦ಟರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿ

akkiya mEle aase, neMTara mEle prIti

Literal: She has desire for rice(likes saving it) and has love for her relatives too.

Equivalent: you cannot have a cake and eat it too.

Equivalent: I love you well but touch not my pocket

ಅ೦ಬಲಿ ಕುಡಿಯುವವನಿಗೆ ಮೀಸೆ ಹಿಡಿಯುವವ ಒಬ್ಬ

aMbali kuDiyuvavanige mIse tikkuvanobba

Literal: For the one who drinks porridge, [there is] a person to hold moustache.

Meaning: The one who subsists on porridge, has got an attender to trim his moustache.

Usage: This is said of people who live beyond their means.

Equivalent: Nothing agrees worse than a proud mind and a begger's purse

Equivalent: Little roast great boast

ಅ೦ತೂ ಇಂತೂ ಕು೦ತಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಇಲ್ಲ.

aMtU iMtu kuMti makkaLige eMtU rajyavilla

Literal: somehow Kunti's sons have got no state [to rule].

Usage: This proverb is reserved for unlucky ones who never make it however they struggle.

history: The Pandavas, sons of Kunti, spent their childhood and youth in exile. After they finally won the great battle of Mahabharata there was nothing to rule but a ghost kingdom.

ಅತ್ತೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ; ಸೊಸೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ

attegondu kaala; sosegondu kaala

Literal: [There is] a time for mother-in-law and a time for daughter-in-law.

Usage: The image of the mother-in-law who ruled the roost in joint families with a vengeance to make up for the indignities suffered during her daughter-in-law days is evident here.

Equivalent: Every dog has his day

ಆಸೆಯೇ ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಲ

aaseyE duHKakke mUla

Literal: greed is the rootcause of sorrow.

ಆಳ್ ಮೇಲ್ ಆಳ್ ಬಿದ್ದು ಗೋಣು ಬರಿದಾಯ್ತು

aaL mEl aaL biddu gONu baridaaytu

(= ಒಬ್ಬರು ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಿಸಿ, ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಲು ಒಬ್ಬರು ಇಲ್ಲ) (ಆಳ್ = ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ; ಗೋಣು = ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಯ ಹಿಂಭಾಗ, ಹೊರೆ ಹೊರಲು ಬಳಸುವ ಹೆಗಲಿನ ಭಾಗ)

Literal: [each] servant turn(fell) on [the other] servant and the shoulder/s [which were supposed to share owner's burden] cleared out!

Meaning: This is said referring to a group of individuals.[When occassion called for taking up the responsibility,] Each individual passed the buck to the other individual and there was none left to shoulder the responsibility.

ಅರಿಯದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪಾಪ ಅರಿತಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ

ariyade maaDida paapa aritandu parihaara

Literal: a sin did without realizing is cured when you realize it.

Meaning: a sin committed out of mistake could be rectified when you look back on it.

Equivalent: a fault confessed is half redressed

ಅಕ್ಕರೆಯಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ದುಃಖವುಂಟು

akkareyiddalli duHKavunTu

Literal: where there is love, there is grief.

Meaning: love accompanies grief.

ಅಕ್ಕನ ಚಿನ್ನವಾದ್ರೂ ಅಕ್ಕಸಾಲಿ ಟೊಣೆಯದೆ(=ಕದಿಯದೆ) ಬಿಡ

akkana cinnavAdrU akkasAli ToNeyade(=kadiyade) biDa

Literal: Though the gold belogs to his own sister, a goldsmith wouldn't let it without swindling

Equivalent: I would cheat my own father at cards.

ಆಯಕಟ್ಟು ಇಲ್ಲದವನಿಗೆ ಆರುಕಟ್ಟು ವಿಭೂತಿ

aaya-kaTTu illadavanige aaru-kaTTu vibhUti

Literal: a person with no physique/vitality/propriety has six packs of holy-ash [i.e., he would resort to a consecrated ointment to ward off any harm/danger to himself]

Meaning: no fighting spirit would make a man [pseudo] religious

ಅವನು ಸಗಣಿ ತಿಂತಾನೆ, ನೀನೂ ತಿಂತೀಯಾ?

avanu sagaNi tiMtaane, nInU tiMtIyaa?

Literal: He eats dung, would you eat it too?

Meaning: Don't follow others blindly.

ಅಡಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದರೂ ಮೂಗು ಮೇಲೆ

aDige biddarU mUgu mEle

Literal: though he fell to the feet, his nose is above the feet [i.e., his nose is not touching the feet]

Equivalent: Though vanquished, he could still argue.


 * बूँद-बूँद से घड़ा भरता है (Hindi)


 * Transliteration: Boond-boond se ghara bharta hai.


 * It takes drop by drop to fill a pitcher.


 * English equivalent: Constant dropping fills the bucket


 * Meaning: Persistence is the key to success


 * Source for meaning of English equivalent: