Indian proverbs

This page is for proverbs from any of the languages of India. There are 17 official languages and many more dialects (almost 500) in India. Note that proverbs in Kannada can be copy-pasted into Baraha(free transliteration software)[1] to see them in its actual script. See List of Indian Languages at Wikipedia

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

  • अंधो के बीचमें काना राजा (andhon ke beech mein kaana raaja) (Hindi)
    • Translation: In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
  • aDDa gODeya mEle dIpa iTTa hAge (Kannada)
    • (It is like placing a lamp on the wall in the middle).
    • This is said of people who refuse to take sides and try to be in the middle.

  • 'adalla daasappaa..' andre guDi munde Ting andidnante (Kannada)
    • ('Hey beggar, thats not..', but he went ahead and asked for alms in front of temple)

  • aDikege hOda mAna Ane koTru barolla (Kannada)
    • (The reputation lost for a betel nut cannot be regained by donating an elephant).

  • ajjige arive chinte, magaLige ganDana chinte (Kannada)
    • (Grandma is worried about a piece of cloth to wear; the daughter is worried about her lover).
    • This is said of irresponsible youngsters who expect a lot from parents who struggle to make ends meet.

  • akki mEle Ase, nenTara mEle prIti (Kannada)
    • (There is love for rice and love for relatives too).
    • The implication is that you cannot have a cake and eat it too.

  • alpanige aishwarya bandre ardha rAthrili koDe hiDkonDa (Kannada)
    • (When a poor fellow got rich, he had an umbrella over his head in midnight).
    • A symbol of richness in olden times was to have a servant hold an umbrella while the rich man rode in the sun. The new rich would flaunt by doing it at night when there is no need for it.

  • ambali kuDiyuvavanige mIse tikkuvanobba (Kannada)
    • (For one who drinks swill there is one to trim his mostache).
    • This is said of people who live beyond their means.

  • antu intu kunti makkaLige entU rajyavilla (Kannada)
    • (After this, that and the other, the sons of Kunti did not rule).
    • This proverb is reserved for unlucky ones who never make it however they struggle.
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.

  • അരിയെത്ര? പയറഞ്ഞാഴി.(Ariyethra? Payar anjaazhi.)[Malayalam]
    • How much rice you have? I have enough beans.

  • attegondu kAla; sosegondu kAla (Kannada)
    • (There is a time for mother-in-law and a time for daughter-in-law).
    • This proverb is similar to "Every dog has his day." However 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.

B

  • bekku kaNNu muchchikonDu hAlu kuDidante (Kannada)
    • (It is like a cat drinking milk with eyes closed).
    • Meaning that others can see though a misdeed despite pretensions.

  • bEline eddu hola mEdre hEge? (Kannada)
    • (The fence itself grazed through the field).
    • A fence is meant to stop cattle from grazing. What if the fence itself is a culprit? This proverb comes from a skepticism of those who break laws they are supposed to uphold.

  • 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.

  • bhikshukaha bhikshuken drishtwa kukkurenwat gurgurayate (sanskrit)
    • Upon seeing another beggar (in his territory) the beggar growls like a dog.
    • Professional Jealousy affects everybody including Beggars

  • Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad (Hindi)
    • Literally: What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger? (someone who can't understand can't appreciate)
    • English equivalent: Laying pearls before swine

C

  • chELige pArupatya koTTa hAge (Kannada)
    • (It is like giving authority to a scorpion).
    • 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.

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

D

  • dEvaru vara koTTarU pUjari vara koDa (Kannada)
    • (The God may grant the boon but the priest will not).
    • Once again this is a dig at the underlings who are worse than the bureaucrats they serve.

  • dharmakke daTTi koTTare hittalige hOgi moLa hAkidaru (Kannada)
    • (When a cloth is given for charity it was measured in the backyard).i.e. looking a gift horse in the mouth.

  • dUrada beTTa nuNNage (Kannada)
    • (The hill at a distance appears smooth).
    • Hidden difficulties doesn't seem obvious at the beginning.

E

  • Elaimayil kalvi, silaiyil ezhuthu (Tamil)
    • (Education in your childhood is like the letters in a sculpture)
    • What you study during your childhood will never be forgotten

  • ettu ErigeLeyitu, kONa nIrigeLeyitu. (Kannada)
    • (The ox pulled to the shore, the buffalo pulled to the water).
    • This is a scene 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. Mismatched company of people could lead to a similar situation.

  • ettu Iyitu andare koTTigege kaTTu andarante (Kannada)
    • (“The ox has delivered”, “Tie up the calf in the pen.”)
    • Those who agree to everything without using their brains are made fun of in this way.

G

  • ganDa henDira jagaLa unDu malago thanaka (Kannada)
    • The quarrel between a husband and wife is till they eat and go to bed).
    • i.e. disagreements between people in love is forgotten easily.

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

  • geddettina bAla hiDida hAge (Kannada)
    • (It is like holding the tail of the winning ox).
    • i.e. Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan.

  • giDavAgi baggaddu maravAgi baggIthe? (Kannada)
    • (If it does not bend as a sapling, will it when it is a tree?)
    • Those who have trouble following rules as young will get worse when they get older.

  • gubbi mEle bramhAstravE? (Kannada)
    • (A nuclear weapon on a sparrow?)
    • This is said of actions beyond proportion taken on helpless people.
    • Incidentally, Brahmastra is the ultimate weapon of destruction with nothing to counter it except another Brahmastra.

  • Ghar ka Jogi jogna, Aan gaon ka Sidh (Hindi)
    • (A wise man to the rest of the world, but a nobody at home.)

H

  • halliddAga kaDle illa; kaDle iddAga hallilla (Kannada)
    • (There are no nuts when one has teeth and there are no teeth when there are nuts).
    • Munching nuts is a sign of prosperity. It is frustrating that one is poor when the youth to enjoy the riches is abundant whereas when one finally gets rich the faculties to enjoy are gone.

  • hALUrige uLidavanE GouDa (Kannada)
    • (One remaining in a ruined village is its chairman).
    • A dig at people in power at weak institutions.

  • hanigUDidare haLLa; tenegUDidare batha (Kannada)
    • (Drops join to make a stream; ears combine to make a crop).
    • i.e. Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.

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

  • hAsige iddashTu kAlu chAchu (Kannada)
    • (Stretch your legs as far as the bed is)
    • This is a warning to live within one’s means.

  • hettorige hegNa muddu, kUDidorige kOdaga muddu (Kannada)
    • (A bandicoot is lovely to his parents; a mule is pretty to its mate).
    • This is a wacky statement of the somber truth: Love is blind.

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

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

  • hoLe nIrige doNenAykana appaNe Eke? (Kannada)
    • (Who needs the approval of a city official for the water from a stream?)
    • 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)
    • (An old patient is better than a new doctor).
    • 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)
    • (There is no food to eat but there is jasmine in the crown).
    • Wearing jasmine in the hair is considered elegant for women, especially on their way to a temple or a wedding party. Dressing beyond one’s means is frowned upon as a sign of false pride.

  • 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.

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

I

  • It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.(Translation)

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

D

  • Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank him for not having given it wings (Translation)

J

  • jal mein rehkar magar se bair karna theek nahin (Hindi)
    • (Living in water and being an enemy of the crocodile is not good.)
    • (English Equivalent: It is hard to live in Rome and strive against the Pope.)

  • jo garajte hain woh baraste nahi
    • (Clouds that thunder seldom rain)
    • Those who make the most threats seldom do anything
    • (English Equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite)

  • jana maruLO jAtre maruLO (Kannada)
    • (Are people stupid or the crowd stupid?)
    • 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.

K

  • Kaali agge toi(Punjabi)
    • There will always be a ditch in front of a person in hurry.
  • 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.)
    • When it takes 2 items to do an action, when you have one you will have most likely misplaced the second item. Once you finally find the second item, you will have lost the first.
Katrathu Kai azhavu, kallathathu ulaga azhavu (Tamil)
  • (What you know is as big as the size of your palm, what you do not know is as big as the size of the universe)

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • konkaNa suthi mailArakke banda hAge (Kannada)
    • (It is like circling Konkan to reach Mailar).
    • Those who do even a simple thing in a roundabout manner deserve this proverb.

  • kOpadalli koyda mUgu shAntiyalli baruttadeye? (Kannada)
    • (Will the nose cut in anger recover in calmness?)
    • Rash acts done in anger lead to damages which cannot be undone.

  • 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.

  • 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 Hanuman who set 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. His tail was set on fire by Ravana to which Hanuman paid back by torching his palaces.

  • koTTaddu tanage; bachchiTTaddu pararige. (Kannada)
    • (What is given to you is for you and what you hide is for 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 the word "thief of gourd" was said, he touched his shoulder to see.)
    • 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.

  • kuNiyalAradavaLu nela donku andaLante (Kannada)
    • (Who could not dance said that the ground was uneven).
    • This is a dig on those who find excuses for their incompetence. This proverb comes from a time when women of ill repute, supported by the aristocracy, were expected to sing and dance to please their rich customers.

  • kUsu huttOke munche kulAvi holisidaru (Kannada)
    • (They got a cap stitched even before the baby was born).
    • This is a reference to things done prematurely. This proverb goes back to a time when infant mortality was very high and people postponed getting things for children until they were born and were in reasonable health. Clothes, toys etc. of children were a painful reminder to the bereaved parents. It was even considered a bad omen to prepare excessively for a child before its birth.

  • 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. (Telugu)
    • (In the well - frog).
    • 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.

    • L

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

    M

    • maduve mADi nODu, mane katti nODu. (Kannada)
      • (Perform a wedding and see, build a house and see).
      • When worthwhile but difficult acts are done, it is gratifying in the end.

    • 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 well meaning people and abuse their help.

    • 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.

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

    • 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.

    • mare bina swarg nahi milta
      • (till you go through the most painful of ordeals, that is - death you can't reach heaven)

    N

    • naach na jaane aangan tedha (Hindi)
      • Translation: (lit: Knows no dance, floor's bent.) A person who doesn't know how to dance blames the dance floor.
      • Meaning: A person without skill trying to blame failure on others/other things.
      • English equivalent: A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

    • NAATE DHOTE REH GAYE MUH TE MAKHI BAI GAYE(PUNJABI)
      • English Translation: Got nothing after so much hullaaa boo

    • 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.

    • nAyi bAla Donku (Kannada)
      • (The tail of a dog is always crooked).
      • You cannot convince some people no matter what you do.

    O

    • Odi Odi maruLAda kUchu bhaTTa (Kannada)
      • (The fellow became stupid by reading and reading).
      • All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

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

    • Oont ke Muh mein Jeera.(Hindi)
      • Translation: Too small an amount for a very large need.

    P

    • Pratyakshya ko praman ki aavashykta nahi (Hindi)
      • Translation: Facts don't require proof to stand correct

    • 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.

    R

    • rAmeshwarakke hOdaru shanIshwarana kATa tappalilla. (Kannada)
      • (Even after going to Rameshvaram (a holy place) the torture of Saturn 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.

    • 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.

    S

    • Sau sunar ki, ek lauhar ki (Hindi)
      • Translation: 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

    • Sau choohey khakar billi hajj ko chali (Hindi)
      • Translation: Feasting on hundreds of mice the cat embarks on a pilgrimage.
      • Meaning: 1. 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. 2. An attempt to apparently undo detestable acts committed by a person.

    • Sawan ke andhe ko sab hara hi hara nazar aata hai.(Hindi)
      • Translation: All a selfish person sees is his self interest.

    • "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).
      • 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 the God when in sorrow).
      • This is said of those who have no true faith or belief but act out for convenience and benefits.

    • 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

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

    • tumbida koDa tuLukuvudilla.(Kannada)
      • (The pot which is full does not splash).
      • This is said to contrast the unassuming good guys against the shallow showoffs.

    Y

    • Thala maranu enna thekarudthu. (Translation)
    Dont forget head while applying oil to ur body.

    Should always remember the things (favour done to us) in a priority wise.

    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.

    • unDU hOda, konDU hOda(Kannada)
      • (He ate and took some too).
      • This is said of a guy who snatches the hand if a finger is offered.

    • UrigobbaLu padmAvati(Kannada)
      • (only one beauty for the village).
      • This is a put down of leaders of mediocre groups.

    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. (Translation)


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