# Meitei proverbs

Proverbs (Meitei: Paorou, lit. 'information‑to take') in Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language) are usually short, well-known terse and vigorously expressive sayings, stating general truths as well as advices. These are the intangible cultural heritages of Meitei civilization, playing crucial roles in the classicism in Meitei culture.

## List
### General

| Meitei language proverbs | Meitei language proverbs | Meitei language proverbs | English language translations | Applications (if any) | English equivalents (if any) | Note(s) |
| In Meitei script | In Eastern Nagari script | In Romanization | English language translations | Applications (if any) | English equivalents (if any) | Note(s) |
| ꯀꯩꯅꯕꯨ ꯇꯣꯛꯄ ꯄꯣꯛꯄꯔꯥ? | কৈনবু তোকপা পোকপরা? | Kei na bu tokpa pokpara? | Will a tiger give birth to a cat? | | | |
| ꯏꯔꯨꯅꯤꯡꯕꯒ ꯊꯣꯡꯇꯦꯛꯄꯒ ꯃꯥꯟꯅꯕꯒꯨꯝ | ইরুনিঙবগা থোংতেকপগা মান্নবগুম | Iruningbaga thongtekpaga manabagum | A man who wants to wash, gains his end when the bridge breaks. | A man may sometimes get what he wants by an accident. | | |
| ꯊꯧ ꯃꯄꯥꯌꯦꯡꯅ ꯈꯨꯗꯣꯞ ꯁꯤꯕꯒꯨꯝ | থৌ মপায়েংনা খুদোপ সিবগুম | Thau mapayengna khudop sibagum | Wear the ring which suits your business. | | Cut your coat according to your cloth. | |
| ꯂꯦꯞꯅꯦꯝꯕꯅ ꯊꯥ ꯂꯥꯝꯕꯒꯨꯝ | লেপনেম্বনা থা লাম্বগুম | Lepnembana tha lambagum | A short man tries to reach the Moon. | It applies to an over ambitious man. | | |
| ꯃꯦꯔꯨꯛꯇ ꯃꯅꯥ ꯄꯥꯟꯕꯒꯨꯝ | মেরুক্তা মনা পানবগুম | Merukta mana panbagum | It is like putting a handle to a light measure. | It applies to anyone doing a useless action. | | The meruk is a measure weighing about 10 chittacks, for which no handle is necessary. |
| ꯑꯃꯝꯕꯗ ꯈꯨꯗꯨꯝ ꯎꯠꯄꯒꯨꯝ | অমন্বদা খুছম উৎপগুম | Amambada khudum utpagum. | It is like showing your fist in the dark. | It replies to a coward. | | |
| ꯏꯔꯣꯏ ꯃꯆꯤꯗ ꯊꯣꯏꯗꯤꯡ ꯊꯝꯕꯒꯨꯝ | ইরোই মচিদা থোইদিং থম্বগুম | Iroi machida thoiding thambagum | You might as well put a small oilseed on the horns of a buffalo. | It applies to any impossible action. | | |
| ꯑꯃꯝꯕꯗ ꯄꯣꯠ ꯃꯥꯕꯒꯨꯝ | অমম্বদা পোৎ মাবগুম | Amambada pot mabagum | You are like the man who gropes for a thing in the dark. | It applies to any one undertaking what he cannot perform. | | |
| ꯑꯉꯥꯡ ꯃꯆꯥꯅ ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯥꯟꯅꯕꯒꯨꯝ | অঙাং মচ্চানা লাঈসান্নবগুম | Angang machana laisannabagum | You act like children playing with dolls. | It applies to persons who trifle with important business. | | |
| ꯃꯤꯠꯇꯥꯡꯕꯅ ꯃꯤꯡꯁꯦꯟ ꯌꯦꯡꯕꯒꯨꯝ | মিৎতাঙবনা মিঙসেন য়েঙবগুম | Mittangbana mingsen yengbagum | Show a looking-glass to a blind man. | It applies to a person who pretends to understand something which he is ignorant of. | | |
| ꯂꯝꯕꯣꯏꯕꯗ ꯁꯝꯖꯦꯠ ꯄꯤꯕꯒꯨꯝ | লমবোইবদা সমজেৎ পিবগুম | Lamboibada samjet pibagum | Give a comb to a saint (who is bald). | It applies to a person giving an inappropriate present. | | |
| ꯀꯨꯝꯃꯩ ꯂꯣꯏꯔꯒ ꯊꯥꯎꯃꯩ ꯊꯥꯟꯒꯠꯄꯒꯨꯝ | কুমৈ লোইরগা থাওমৈ থানগৎপগুম | Kumei loiraga thaomei thangatpagum | You light the lamps when the meeting is over. | It applies to any one who does not act in time. | Lock the stable door when the horse is out. | |
| ꯍꯨꯔꯥꯟꯕ ꯃꯇꯨꯡꯗ ꯃꯩꯔꯤꯕꯒꯨꯝ | হুরানবা মত্তুংদা মৈরিংবগুম | Huranba mattungda meiringbagum. | You keep watch after the thief has carried off your property. | | | |
| ꯌꯩꯅꯕ ꯃꯇꯨꯡꯗ ꯄꯥꯝꯕꯣꯝ ꯇꯤꯡꯕꯒꯨꯝ | য়ৈনবা মত্তংদা পামবোম তিংবগুম | Yeinaba mattungda pambom tingbagum | You show fight after receiving a caning. | | | |
| ꯁꯥꯃꯨ ꯃꯆꯥꯅ ꯊꯧꯔꯤ ꯈꯪꯗꯕꯒꯨꯝ | সামু মচ্চানা থৌরি খঙদবগুম | Samu machana thauri khangdabagum | A young elephant does not understand the rope. | It applies to giving any one a task which he cannot perform. | | |
| ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯕꯅ ꯌꯦꯜꯂꯣꯏꯕ ꯋꯥꯕ ꯑꯣꯟꯕꯒꯨꯝ | লাইরবনা য়েল্লোইবা ৱাবা ওনবগুম | Lairabana yelloiba waba onbagum | Like the poor man's last fowl which has taken to the forests. | It applies to the loss of anything greatly valued by owner. | | |
| ꯆꯤꯟꯊꯤꯕꯅ ꯂꯧꯁꯤꯡ ꯁꯥꯕꯒꯨꯝ | চিনথিবনা লৌসিং সাবগুম | Chinthibana lausing sabagum | Does a prater merely by talking create wisdom? (Talking does not make a wise man) | | | |
| ꯂꯤꯟꯅ ꯃꯈꯨꯟ ꯆꯪꯂꯝꯗꯥꯏꯗ ꯆꯨꯝꯕꯒꯨꯝ | লিন্না মখুন চঙলমদাঈদা চুম্বগুম | Linna makhun changlamdaida chumbagum | A snake goes straight into its hole. | | Don't beat about the bush. | |
| ꯉꯥꯄ꯭ꯔꯨꯝ ꯃꯈꯨꯟꯗ ꯉꯥꯄ꯭ꯔꯨꯝ ꯊꯥꯖꯤꯟꯕꯒꯨꯝ | ঙাপ্রুম মখুন্দা ঙাপ্রুম থাজিনবগুম | Ngaprum makhunda ngaprum thajinbagum | Send an eel into another eel's hole. | | Set a thief to catch a thief. | |
| ꯍꯧꯗꯣꯡ ꯃꯃꯩꯗ ꯈꯨꯔꯦꯟ ꯈꯨꯕꯒꯨꯝ | হৌদোঙ মমৈদা খুরেন খূবগুম | Haudong mameida khuren khubagum | You might as well put a ring on a cat's tail. | It applies to a person who attempts an impossible action. | | |
| ꯀꯩ ꯃꯌꯥꯗ ꯁꯥꯗꯨꯝ ꯍꯨꯟꯖꯤꯟꯕꯒꯨꯝ | কৈ ময়াদা সাদুম হুনজিনবগুম | Kei mayada sadum hunjinbagum | You are throwing flesh into the tiger's mouth. | It applies to a person who trusts a dishonest person with his property. | | |
| ꯂꯩꯈꯣꯝ ꯃꯔꯛꯇ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯟ ꯁꯥꯠꯄꯒꯨꯝ | লৈখোম মরক্তা থম্বান সাৎপগুম | Leikhom marakta thamban satpagum | The lotus flowers in the middle of the mud. | It applies to anyone who from a low origin rises to eminence. | | |
| ꯑꯀꯣꯛꯄꯗ ꯂꯝꯃꯥꯡꯅꯕꯒꯨꯝ | অকোকপদা লম্মাঙনবগুম | Akokpada lammangnabagum | You are like the man who loses his way in an open place. | It applies to a person who throws away a good chance. | | |
| ꯂꯩꯅꯥꯡꯅ ꯄꯜ ꯊꯤꯡꯕꯒꯨꯝ | লৈনাঙনা পল থিঙবগুম | Leinangna pal thingbagum | You try to build a wall with soft mud. | It applies to any useless undertaking. | | |
| ꯀꯛꯆꯦꯡ ꯃꯍꯨꯝ ꯊꯨꯒꯥꯏꯕꯒꯨꯝ | ককচেং মহুম থুগাইবগুম | Kakcheng mahum thugaibagum | You are like the man who breaks into an ant-hole. | It applies to anyone who acts incautiously. | | |
| ꯈꯣꯏ ꯃꯍꯨꯝꯗ ꯆꯩꯅ ꯊꯤꯟꯕꯒꯨꯝ | খোই মহুমদা চৈনা থিনবগুম | Khoi mahumda cheina thinbagum | You are like a man who attacks a bee-hive. | It applies to any one who acts incautiously. | | |
| ꯃꯃꯤꯠꯇ ꯄꯛꯄ ꯃꯤꯠꯁꯥꯡꯗꯤ ꯎꯗꯔꯗꯨꯅ ꯃꯤꯒꯤ ꯃꯃꯤꯠꯇ ꯄꯛꯄ ꯃꯤꯠꯁꯥꯡ ꯎꯕꯒꯨꯝ | মমিৎতা পকপা মিৎসাঙদী উদরদুনা মিগী মমিৎতা পকপা মিৎসাঙ উবগুম | Mamitta pakpa mitsangdi udaraduna migi mamitta pakpa mitsang ubagum | You see the dirt in another man's eye, but do not see the dirt in your own eye. | | Like the Bible parable of the man who sees the mote in his brother's eye, but fails to see the beam in his own eye. | |
| ꯀꯩꯅ ꯃꯌꯦꯛ ꯃꯥꯡꯕ꯭ꯔꯥ | কৈনা ময়েক মাঙব্রা | Keina mayek mangbra | You cannot deprive a tiger of its spots. | | Can a leopard change its spots ? | |
| ꯍꯧꯗꯣꯡ ꯇꯨꯃꯤꯜꯂꯩꯕꯅ ꯆꯐꯨ ꯉꯝꯕꯒꯨꯝ | হৌদোঙ তুমিল্লৈবনা চফু ঙম্বগুম | Haudong tumilleibana chafu ngambagum | A cat cannot keep quiet while the cooking pot is near. | Never trust a doubtful character. | | |
| ꯁꯅꯥꯕꯨ ꯐꯗꯤꯅ ꯌꯣꯝꯕꯒꯨꯝ | সনাবু ফদীনা য়োম্বগুম | Sanabu phadina yombagum | You cannot hide gold in a rag. | An able man is sure of promotion. | | |
| ꯈꯣꯡꯗꯅ ꯆꯤꯛꯄ ꯍꯨꯏꯒꯨꯝ | খোংদনা চিকপা হুইগুম | Khongdana chikpa huigum | He is like the dog which bites without barking. | It applies to a man who speaks ill of you behind your back. | | |

### Philosophical maxims

| Maxims (In Classical Meitei language) | English translation |
| "Thangyi Loktak eyaida lodam khaj tillu kalei kakyen yawa khonjenda tharo lemphu taobagum heitana pot-thirubada leipakki lemphu taorani wayel hei-ngam sing-ngamloiye."— Khongngang Thaba | "It is a prediction of a coming time when there will be no manners and discipline, and people will not know love. Parents and children will not know each other. Loktak will be filled with the blood as the stronger cut each other with swords. Those who stand in the middle, trying to reconcile and bring peace, will hung their heads." |
| "Leipak maiba khurai tang Ningthau maiba chirai tang" | "The maiba (shaman) of the land has bald knees. The maiba of the king has a bald head." |
| "Ayingbabu shahanba ngammi Ashababu enghanba ngamde" | "What is cold can be made hot. But the hot cannot be made cold." |
| "Mitki hidak eshing yagi hidak thum Yumgi pangal faklang meegi pangal khwang" | "Water is the medicine for the eyes, salt is the medicine for the teeth The strength of the house is in the walls, the strength of men is in the waist" |
| "Ngaranggi wapham khannashi Hayenggi wapham neinashi" | "Let us think of the past (yesterday) Let us discuss the future (tomorrow)" |
| "Apiba lau pik thangani Munduna lauganu punmut mutkani" | "Take what is given and it will be full Do not snatch or all will ruin" |
| "Kwakki chakcha yengjau Yengi yahip tamjau" | "Look at the ways crows eat Learn the way the hens sleep" |
| "Lau-uba pukning nungai Lausinba meewa tai Laurangba puk yek-e" | "At the time harvest, when the farmer sits on the stack of straw and looks at the harvests it gives pleasure (puning nungai)" |
| "Pektuna lauba perukni Gri-gri namba shaugrini Hakchangdagi sharu-shayangda changkhraba ariba nungshit makhei pektuna tashillaga khada thadaba ngammi haibagi mabu peruk kaubani. Khoidau makhagi komda nungshit ashabana eshingbu pumduna thakta pruk-pruk shaugatlakpada gri-gri namthaba ngambana mabu shaugri kaubani." | "Peruk (vernacular Manipuri name, common name Indian pennywort, scientific name Centella asiatica) is so named because it collects (pekpa) ‘old wind’ (causal agents of illness in the body) from bones and muscles and helps the excrete the same. Below the navel, because of ‘hot wind’, when the water of the pond putrefies, and bubbles emerge on the surface, making ‘pruk, pruk’ sound, the Shaugri (vernacular Manipuri name of roselle, scientific name Hibiscus sabdariffa) can suppress it, making ‘gri, gri’ sound. Hence the herb was named Shaugri (shauba : boil + gri)." |
| "Lei khujok katpana hei khuya phangani" | "If a hand full of flowers is offered, then one will get as many fruits as the hand can catch" |
| "Shagonnaba akhangbada hang-u maru phangani Lentheinaba aheibada chang-u machu phangani" | "Someone who has been taught by the now dead ancestors and become wise is called shagonnaba akhangba. Ask them and you will get the essence of things. Those who are clever and do not care about the right or wrong are talented. They have wealth earned through unfair means. If you seek them, your colour will change (become wealthy). But that brightness is like the bright lamp just before going out." |
| "Chei kariba hangoibu shamuna netpane Shamuna netpada yerum kaide" | "A frog that is climbing up a stick thinks no one can stop it from doing anything it pleases. But even an old and sick elephant can squash it under its feet. The frog cannot be stronger than what nature intended. On the other hand, if an egg is appropriately placed, even if an elephant steps on it will not break." |
| "Shadagi lai khaire, meedana lai changle" | "From the animals god split, into human god entered" |
| "Ama chatpa apumba, ani chatpa ashiba, ahum chatpa achangba" | "If one goes then putrefaction, if two go then death, if three go then alive" |
| "Tumdaba haudokpa lui, Hao natatpa ngangnaba yaroi" | "One who is not sleeping cannot be awakened because he is pretending." |
| "Lang-ganu langda thugani Lan-ganu lal tagani" | "Do not make noise or you will get trapped in the net Do not wrong (to other) or there will be war" |
| "Mari thadatkanu mahei yalloi Matashu leishanu [leinashu?] makhong khanloi" | "Do not break relations; else it will stop bearing fruits. There seems to be typo in the second line, which has changed the meaning of the sentence. Instead of 'Let the relations be there also, they will not know the roots/stem/legs', I think it should be 'Even though they are relations, they will not know the roots/stem/legs'." |
| "Sana-o, naril-o lamphelnu chawainu Chunkhang pelona" | "Strength and will power are different. A strong elephant would run away (from danger?). But a python will die protecting its territory. Due to lack of strength, due to fear of being punished by the king, an important word was spoken incorrectly because of which the import of the question became unclear. Instead of saying 'palona' (rule), it became 'pelona'." |
| "Poklaga shiba lamanni Mullaga kenba mayekni" | "If born (you) owe (it to God) to die. When ripe, it is natural to fall." |
| "Yubi kollaga karigi yongna kapli Loknungda karigi echelna leptuna laori" | "While embracing the coconut, the monkey is crying. Why the river endlessly shouting while flowing in the valley." |
| "Sengna charie phadi shet Mangna chaksheng chao" | "Wear the pure 'charei' towel. Impure, eat the pure." |
| "Yotchabina yot chingle Heinabida nung naple" | "The iron (yot) is the food of the magnet (yot chabi, literally iron eater). That is why iron is drawn towards the magnet. But humans are not the food/slave to habit. Therefore, if you stick to your habits, it your own choice." |
| "Meewa meepao tadraba Mashata mee oinaba hotnaba Mahakto athoiba meene" | "It is said the more the people the more the words/opinions (mee yamaga wa yammi). If listen to everyone, you will have to spend your entire life. Stay within the bounds of humanity and do your work. When people start liking your work and follow you have won." |
| "Maroi mapang hekchillu Pannao singnao namsillu" | "Pick 'maroi mapang' (maroi is a generic name for green condiments used in cooking; mapang is a collocation which means more or less the same as the main word and do not exist independently). Bury the tubers and 'singnao'." |
| "Apangbaga phatabaga yumlonnei Asingbaga aphabaga keilonnei" | "The fool and the bad are neighbours. Similarly, the wise and the good are neighbours. What a fool does is not good. Hence, they are neighbours." |
| "Ahal mathina chaphu menli Nachal mathina pahomi" | "The dung of the old mend the pot The dung of centipede draws attention" |
| "Akhangbagi oja watte Aheibagi oja leite" | "One who knows have ample number of teachers One who is able does not have a teacher" |
| "Mayek uray leipak koiray Mason khanglay leipak kanlay" | "After seeing the letters, one goes around the land. After knowing the 'mason', the land is saved" |
| "Ata atu khun laipham tonpham sam Marannai hingjani charol surol" | "We live because something was left to us. Similarly, we must leave a bit of land for house and a bit for agriculture so that the next generation can survive. We need to rebuild the traditional temples and write down the preaching of our ancestors for the coming generations." |
| "Achaubana machabu konba ngamday Machanadi achauba laina kalli" | "The big cannot embrace the small. The small can easily save the big." |
| "Hingliba mishakta wahangle Ashiba mamida paohangle" | "Asked to a living person Asked for information from the shadows of the dead" |
| "Marek chare haore Mahao chuple penle" | "Marek is the fleshy part. When the fleshy part of fruit is licked or eaten, one gets the tastes. Mahao is when it becomes a part of the blood stream (chuple, or absorbed, in the blood), it gives satisfaction (penle)." |
| "Meina thaobu chak-ngamde Thaona meibu chakpane" | "The fire can't burn the oil. The oil burns the fire." |
| "Paknaba chetpadi payane, linaba liraudi litane" | "In order to bind together, young bamboo is used to make paya (a thin bamboo strip). It is the same as the young with sweet disposition." |
| "Thakhal kaina lanphade, pareng samna liklamsay" | "The life path being taken human beings is very narrow. There is no room to move left or right. It is said, running a household is finer than that of sand (very minute to observe/comprehend)." |
| "Chekfei ani kek-kek, lamtha paring shot" | "When one ventures in a project, he or she is expecting to get something at the end. ... When one is weak (due to illness or old age), one makes feeble sound while walking." |
| "Lairamlengi meeramlenni Epagidamak emagidamak" | "The land of the men exists because land of the gods exists. Father exists, therefore mother has to exist." |
| "Lukokpa yengbada mit nai Koijomba mawada nakong melli" | "Seeing the bald pains the eyes Close ears listening to the bearded" |
| "Ahangbadu lai shannabungni Aphunbadu tin-gi tungnaphamni" | "... without the permission of the gods, they should not build houses in the open spaces that belong to the gods." |
| "Mitchina yeng-u paiganu Akonbagi chinnum ngane" | "Give a sideways look, but do not touch/It is the fish to fill in later" |
| "Kangmangna kanglakkani Libana lirakani" | "The mountains of the land will become bald. The lake will become shallow. Feeling the final pulse, the young will enter into the battle. Those who have no experience will follow and fill in the battle." |
| "Ho epu metrokpa nungna hagel Choina yanbana mashing taredo" | "Just like paya (bamboo strips used for binding) made from the same branch, the small yeks (family clans) were bound by one god. But those carrying the blood lines of the land (kings?) just because they can burnt the Puyas. This attempt to bind with a decadent has resulted in the split of the hill and the valley." |
| "Nongda lairen chahi chamma kun makhai Ningthau tonaba chahi mari ta pankhi" | "... by following the path of the indigenous religion (fated by the god), the rule lasted for a long time (hundred twenty and half). During this time, the weak was not exploited by the strong, and the poor was not despised by the rich. On the other rejecting these resulted in the rule to lasts for only four years." |
| "Chahiga laushinga khutsamna chatli" | "The age and the wisdom go hand in hand." |
| "Uyung lawaigi hanuba darida onthare Darishu kaya mawangde supat mawang-e" | "The thought in the forehead of the old man suddenly slipped and fell down the dari (foundation floor of the house) unconscious. That too in spite the fact that the dari wasn't high either." |
| "Mit tangbina lairik parani Na pangbina eshei tarani" | "The blind will read and the deaf will listen to music" |
| "Koithikhang makhut chan koihane leiron chan" | "Koithi means searching for a dear lost object by 'by upturning every leaf'. In order to know an old information, one will set aside the hand-picked stick taken from the bushes, and ask the old man for the right path. Upon knowing, one is happy and thinking there is plenty of time, bury the information." |
| "Pat ngaman toklani, kom ngatin pairani" | "The lakes and the forests, as mother and father, look after the valley and the plain. ... That instead of taking care of the huge lake which has become the size of the palm, the effort seems to be digging up drains to bring in foreign fish." |
| "Machugidamak sanani Khongthangidamak tamnani" | "Even though gold cannot be used to make any useful equipment, people admire it. As it is put in the fire, it shines. Hence, staying true to oneself and one's religion is priceless. Although it is not very beautiful, one cannot be satisfied with the voice of 'tamna'. What has been agreed upon and the step that has not crossed the line is the step of tamna." |
| "Yaishkul mapal sharani, khurai mahei yallani" | "Yaishkul is formed from the words yaisha and khul. Yaisha means king's animal (horse and elephant used by the king) and khul means village or generally speaking a place of human habitation. The place where royalty lived and which had good public facilities like roads used to be called yaishkul. Nowadays, such facilities are available everywhere. Hence, it is said that yaishkul will bloom (mapal sharani). The path to the indigenous god, because of abandonment, has become narrow as the bushes have overgrown into it (khurai). The focus of the youths seems to be on the alien knowledge. However, there is still hope that the youth the indigenous knowledge is taken up for study, it will bear fruits (mahei yallani)." |
| "Heirangkhoinida chanaba heinida Sibu thoina haoba heidi chindamba heinida" | "The living things were created (by god) and all became bright. This saying is about the making of the humans. At first humans could not speak. The flowers and the fruits, seeing that the humans have not realized their worth, compared them to heirang (different kinds of fruits). Later people were able to talk. Then they called humans as chindamba (one who expresses [tamba] what is in one's heart through the lips [chin]) fruits. And they said chindamba fruits are much better than heirang." |
| "Sanaogi makhom sanbina thaklani Karang ching shaygairani" | "The cow will drink the milk of the calf. Karang Ching (Karang Mountain) will split open. The cow is metaphor for leaders and elites of the society. They take great care of themselves (drink the milk), but do not care for the coming generation—as if they are in some kind of a race. Karang Ching is a word play. Karang means legs. If a person tries to ride on two boats at the same time, his legs would split open." |
| "Haoreibigi ingkholda lashing polang phaubani Huina yenna shokkani shut phet" | "In the garden of Haoreibi a basket containing cotton is left for drying, dogs and fowl might touch—shut-phet." |
| "Nakongda changlakpa makholni Lawaina kauruba khongthangni" | "One that enters the ears is the sound. One that is called forth by the mind are the steps." |
| "Ngarang haying anina ngashi haujik tannare" | "Yesterday and tomorrow have together chased away the today and now." |
| "Pukningna khullakpa thetchillu Wakhalna purakpa thamjillu" | "When we find a shiny object on the way, we pick it up even though it may not be of any use as it pleases the heart. Such things are stuck somewhere. But if take something after thinking about it, then it should be kept securely in some place." |
| "Sanbi loiyu sangom chani Tenbalaga thajaba phangani" | "Milk is much more nutritious than its taste. Hence, keeping a good cow is important to drink good milk. Otherwise, like a cat who has got a taste of it one will drink anything which is white in colour. While listening to something one has not experienced, one understands little. Majority will not be believed. As it is said only someone who has been bitten by snake knows its poison." |
| "Kumshi mapal sharaga nongmei mahei yangani" | "Flowering/budding in former time will result in fruition in later time" |
| "Thorukok thaurukok chang chap Makutani san san" | "Since what has been offered to the gods does not contain what should be there, the traditional offerings and songs (thorukok, bald), it has become even (chang chap). It is only skin (makutani) without any flesh." |
| "Mutlabadi munba ngamloi Yunglabadi mutpa ngamloi" | "If extinguished, will not ripen If established, will not extinguish" |
| "Manam phao makhol thiyu" | "Catch the smell, search the sound" |
| "Ten ten tena ten, nungshu natte tena ten Mapuda khoiji makhoiji Shari lakham kham" | "In a corner of the land, people have been living for countless years-breathing the air, drinking the water and eating the food of the place, thus becoming a part of it. From all around, clever arrows (ten) are being shot at them to convert them to something foreign. But these will not hit them. The arrow made from the navel of the lord of fire, water and air only can hit them." |
| "Semba yaba mawongni samba yadaba masakni" | "The façade can be made, but one cannot stick the face" |
| "Matamna kanabu ngaibide hunna phaoba yenglamde Kanabu mana khoidade ngaibatani mana kiba" | "Time waits for no one, it does not even look back It does not envy anyone, it is only waiting that it is afraid of." |
| "Nga makok yamna chao nokna mahao fangbani Engkholda keithel kahallu leidana lenba yagani" | "Eat a lot of fish heads, you will enjoy the taste laughing. Go to market in the garden, and you can live without buying" |
| "Lau ingkhol lengdaba lanni Tauheide thauraba khutlaini" | "Agricultural land and home are immovable wealth. What is forbidden (mores) is a sharp weapon." |
| "Ama tek khuningtek ani tek khut-u-tek" | "For a long time, the mountains served as barricades while the plains served as home. And so the Meiteis lived peacefully. But slowly, unknown to the rulers, foreigners came through the narrow passes of the mountains. First they asked for a small space to put in their heels so that they may sit and later they asked for some space for their knees and then they lied down." |
| "Uchekki mashak yeng-u yawagi makhol tao" | "Those birds that live in the house and are well known are called 'pombi'; those that fly to the trees making 'wa' sound and fly away making 'ya' sound are called 'chekla'. Those birds that are close to you can be observed for how they look (how present themselves). However, to know the true voices (how they are really), one needs to hear the free birds. Similarly, people when staying close might present themselves nicely to us, but to know their true nature, we need to observe them in their own environment." |
| "Say say saybotti laisham macha phubotni Nungga eiga kaonaba kanana ngamge yengnashi" | "Say, say is an exhortation calling those who consider themselves linked to the god (lai [god] + sam [link]) and call themselves his children (macha) and hence his property (mapot) to fight with me (nungga (you) + eiga (I) + kaonaba [kick fight]). Let us see who wins." |
| "Shagol paobu kishira keithel paobu ngakshira" | "Should one fear the message sent via the horse? Or should one be amazed to hear message (information) received in the market?" |
| "Nung taorani lashing luplani" | "Stones will float, cotton will sink" |
| "Wathi sana parengbu ahoba uningda happara" | "Golden chain of ugly words, should it be put in a box with hole in it?" |
| "Yeknabaga marup shanau Ashoibaga oja oiyu" | "Befriend you enemies, let mistakes be teacher" |
| "Melei leimana nungjumpal kadanbadi leinungshi" | "The place of birth (the bed), the cries of baby being born is heard, and human life being highest of all the forms and hence comparable to flowering, is called 'melei leimana'.... This is the root or essence that flowed from the 'stones' of god father. A thirst to meet this god father was again born. However, he was left in the 'room' from where one can come out but cannot enter into." |
| "Epam meihaure lanching meichakle Eduningthau yaobara khambi meichakle" | "The mountain of wealth (referring to the Puyas) of the birthplace is burning. Who can save it? Someone who is ready to work until they die should come forth without being asked to do the job." |
| "Mamang leikai thambal shatle khoimu ille khoiraba Shabi lao lao chatshi lao kalakpa yammi Kanjaoba yammi mangda tharo lao" | "The society of the ancestors that used to be, when there were no wants, households were run beautifully, people were well mannered and brave, it was like the flowering of lotus. Although that time has long gone, one remembers afresh. The bees that came, flying across huge mountains, many will fly away seeing there are no more flowers, but some will remain. ... Jealous people will now encircle. Walk in front of me, I will follow. To be unmindful of who will follow is a great fault. The brave is the one who is not afraid of dying. That she, despite being physically weak, can sacrifice for her child, knowing that the child rushes to her when faced with danger for safety. That is why child owes a great debt to her." |
| "Phijet phigai ngamdainabiga tangjamayek naibiga chilloknau" | "The parents provide food and clothing to the child. This is called phijet (piece of cloth) phigai ngamdaibi. It is said that those who have been there can show the way. As the older generation have lived life they know it. Those who do not know what they are saying are to be 'mayek naidabi' (without clear picture). The older generation is referred to as 'tangja mayek naibi'. Chilloknaba means to discuss. They are the ones who saw the sun and moon first (before us) and saw what happened to the land in the past. Hence they are the ones with whom we should discuss before the time is out." |
| "Tingkhang amana yuradi tingkhang amana hangani" | "If stuck by a thorn then it can only be taken out by pricking with another thorn" |
| "Pan chaduna sikhiba mairen chaduna hallak-u" | "One who died eating taro, come back after eating pumpkin" |
| "Chatna chatna ngang-naba, phamna phamna shonnaba" | "To talk about while walking, to pray to while sitting" |
| "Ei uraga ma kao-e, ma uraga ei kao-e Kanana saribano? Eina … phajare hai Kanana samlibano? Eina … sam-e haibu khangdrene Kanana thugairibano? Eina … kalle hai." | "When I see myself, I forget him, when I see him, I forget myself Who made [it]? I … said beautiful Who joined [it]? I … one can't even tell it is joined Who broke [it]? I … said strong" |
| "Chakcha ahum yahip ahum mashak khang-u Punsibane laining lik kaidabane" | "Three meals, three sleeps, know them Attain longevity, doesn't waver of one's faith" |
| "Phau sangbai achonba eshing pul athalba Ngari pareng achumba warak tayal angangba" | "Bag of bulging paddy, pitcher full of water Dried, fermented fish strung straight, in discussion would stand out like red tayal" |
| "Atanbagi matengna wadana panbani Huranbana senabagi mapu oiba ngambani" | "Because of the lazy we are living in comfort Because of the thief looking after things, one is the owner" |
| "Uchi chi chi, chichi kharong mapan khaushaba Sat-tang lak-e frang" | "Earlier nothing was wanting in the land. But now healthy and wholesome food (machi oiba chinjak) are on the brink of disappearing. In the Sana keithel (market) local fish are not available. People used to live for a hundred year, but now people are becoming senile at seventy. Everywhere one sees poverty and squeezing of the last drops (chiba). Desperation drove them to following the religion of the west. Nobody is to be blamed. Do not worry, when the time comes suddenly the wisdom will emerge (sat-tang : suddenly, lak-e : comes, frang : sound made by sudden emergence)." |
| "Keinau wayel thauraba katini" | "Only the local elderly who knows the hearts and minds of the parties to a conflict can deliver proper justice. They also know that often behind conflict and seeking justice, there is desire for power." |
| "La kannaba namana lokpani" | "The place where the 'chang-changda' (literally, living and dead, used to count auspicious and inauspicious) is called 'la'. For human beings, the motherland is the 'la'. Manipur is shaped like a 'yangkok' (a flat basket made of bamboo used for drying paddy). Hence, yangkok is used symbolically for the land. After six complete days of birth, the baby is put on the yangkok. Then the amaibi (female shaman) asks the mother if she wants the baby or the yangkok (the motherland). The mother answers, she needs to the baby for the sake of yangkok (to save the motherland). Hence the saying above: la (motherland) + kannaba (to save) + namana (your mother) + lokpani (to bring up)." |
| "Ashabana ashaba lok-e nungtana nungbu laknei" | "The hot begets the hot, only you torments yourself" |
| "Nom nom saygaido chanaba leite takhet-thang" | "A time will come when in spite of working hard and ruining one's body nothing much will come out of it. At that time, when asked listen to things of Meetei, one will shake his head, and thinking that saving money is more important, will leave part with discussion like scratching out with a knife." |
| "Yum yaurabra thong yaurabra Yumshu yaure thongshu yaure" | "Reached home? Reached the bridge? Home reached, bridge also reached" |
| "Hanuba meira paibabu theiduna chatli nahana Maduna humduna thiruri meira mutkhre phut" | "Old men holding the light, the young go sideways, avoiding them. The old men have the experience and wisdom (the light), but the young would not listen to them or take their advice. When the enemies are all around, the young starts searching for the old men but they are gone and fire has extinguished." |
| "Kallabadi hinganiye Hinglabadi semganiye" | "If saved will survive If alive will make/create" |
| "Eshingda khurum tong-u Ukhada yenpak tup-u" | "In water, wear khurum (a kind of wooden sandal). Under the tree, wear head band. The saying is to protect one's feet and head from injury." |
| "Wari li singbun pun wakhataba koijomba Makoi phar phoidatlu" | "Tell stories a lot. When discussion is held together, one has beard. Pull off his beard. It means someone who does not know but acts as if he knows a lot. But when people get together and discuss things, all the nonsensical and stupid things are revealed (beard). Get rid of such opinions so that the truth and the right remain." |
| "Wakhal lang lawai tang Laushing lang kuru shung" | "Some people think a lot, as if they are caught in the net (wakhal lang). But they end bald in the head (lawai tang). Another thinks he is intelligent and does not venture out (laushing lang). And he develop gangrene in the knees. However, no one can know everything under the sun. So people should talk to each other for wisdom." |
| "Leipak puriba ningthaune Phage phuge phoige amning-ni Leipak ngakliba miyamne Pa-ge puge penge mathauni" | "The king thinks it is his whimsical right to catch (phage) and beat up (phuge) when someone disobeys him. And when his share of the crop is not given, he has the right to pluck (phoige) or snatch the harvest. The common people, on the other hand, think it is their duty to face (lamba paba) the enemy (in battle), to bear the burden (puge) of the land and be satisfied (penge) in honouring an evil person (the king?)." |
| "Chaoraba aloo shanglaba yongchak pulle Hakthi khanbina uningda nokli" | "Big potato and long stinky bean got together One who sneezes hides behind the tree and is laughing" |
| "Lamjangda khongnang thadaba Phungada haudong kundaba" | "Not planting banyan at the entrance of the land/property The cat not sitting near the kitchen fire" |
| "Chatpa okle paiba tamlo" | "Satisfied with walking then learn to fly" |
| "Chingda charang paire tamda mikap thokle Thaupal turel eyaida nganuna wak wak khonglakle" | "In the hills, dragonflies are flying, in the plain people are awaken In the middle of Thaupal river, the ducks are quacking" |
| "Athaubaga shagonnau angambaga thagonnau" | "Wisdom and intelligence is something that can win even the 'sharp' things. If a sharp sword is carefully put inside the scabbard, it will not do harm." |
| "Monchingda soilauge Napchingta ngafauge Phaudagchai ngari yanhange ayongna ngatha pige" | "The water bodies that should not meet would meet and time will come when water instead of flowing down will flow upwards. That will be the time when people will eat 'ashi heibong'. The water that should have flowed into the lake has been stopped at the Mon mountain (Monching) by building dam in Ethai river. In the adjoining village Napching, fish are caught. In Phaudakchai fish are rotting. Arong where there used to be enough fish, now have to ask for their share to be given. That is why it is like eating the ashi heibong fruit, half of which is thrown away for the dead and half of it is eaten." |
| "Nungsha O thoraklo urum leima changkharo Kabo leite phe leite kona laba ting ting" | "..." |
| "Hingnabagi machak eshingda Hinglaga leipham kanphalda" | "A fire enveloped in air will exist in water. It is called thawai (soul). That is why it is said there is god in water. If that fire is introduced into a dead body, there will life for some time. That is why amaibi (female shaman) while taking up the god from water (lai laukhatpa) use living thread along with the dead offerings. The men has to look after the garden for the gods, that is why it is said live in the land." |
| "Ngarungbana ngashak khang-e Uorungbana uoshak khang-e" | "Fishermen know the fish Woodcutters know the wood" |
| "Yungaobana yum shanglani phingau maibina wai chairani" | "The drunk will take of the house, maibi in white cloth will be everywhere" |
| "Moithokpi moithokpi tai tai Yendai potai tai tai Phanda phambi moijaobi Taret leima takhap chong Shut pet tung" | "Just like farting whatever is said without thinking does not have any substance (value) is not worth listening. Who has farted (or said those words)? One who is sitting on the stool (someone in high position). That is why he will spin the people like spinning a spinning wheel. However, one who knows people will sniff out (shut pet) and will be able to tell (tung) who is responsible." |
| "Moi pot thok shamu mari pat tat Leipung keithel wa kai" | "An expected fart, the chain of the elephant is broken, and the market is scattered." |
| "Lupak makhum tamang khutsha marolthok Chandol natol thibet pet" | "When the basket is open, the hands will speak (it will be freefall for everyone to loot the ancestral treasures). When the nose is smeared with chandol (sandalwood paste), know the time has come." |
| "Uchi lumli awun chakthiri Shangom thumpet chinnum tangli" | "The mouse is hiding, searching the given food The milk is sweet, taste it a bit" |
| "Ponshang wanau panthada utong chadum namhauro" | "..." |
| "Awangbada tonganu atongbada leppu" | "Don't ride on the high, stand on the mound" |
| "Chingda kaduna sindagba Tamda kumduna laojenba Awonba changdo uraniye" | "The size of the land will shrink. The hill people that used to climb the mountains on a daily basis for their needs will come to the plains even leaving the tasty food available there." |
| "Nauringeida meisha lang Kuira kuira meinil kan" | "When young felt the warmth of the fire, with time the fire becomes stronger" |
| "Ubaga tabaga khubak maphei thapnagadra" | "The distance of the five fingers is the khubak (palm) maphei. Btween what is heard and what is seen, will there be a distance of 'khubak maphei'? Food is eaten with bare hands in Manipur, traditionally. When one sucks all the fingers then the heart is full. Not just hearing a news, but seeing it gives complete fulfilment." |
| "Achanbagi tankhai kak Ashibagi tankahi kok" | "Half for the living Half for the dead" |
| "Nungshu eini eishu nungni Loynaba magi mayani" | "You are me and I am you All is His illusion" |
| "Sana keithel taklani Chaktha keithel manglani" | "The golden market will be broken Small market for daily food will be everywhere" |
| "Mit nahana haonida sholli Ya matolna thumnida haibi" | "The iris murmurs it will be tasty, tip of the teeth says, it will be sweet" |
| "Mekhut chankhre nungi oidre Potshak khangdre pungmang mangle" | "If it changes hands, you lose ownership. If it not recognizable anymore, it is completely lost. If the cow is stolen you no longer own it. But if its eaten by wild animals, and you find the bones left behind, then it is certain that you have lost completely." |
| "Nomjen chenba ahanbani Ama madi leitarabani" | "Following the current trend, one thing on day, another the next day. Running here and there, nothing is followed to conclusion. The one (in Manipuri, the God) is stable and does not change." |
| "Yamna yamna khikta launu Khajik khajik yamna phangjau" | "When one is well settled in the house, if you ask to give a little, without specifying the amount, he will not give anything. If you ask for a large specific amount, you might have to go there more than once." |
| "Pukningi yahipham phamungni Wakhalgi yatapham phamnungni" | "Bed is the place to rest one's heart The sit of the elder is place for thoughts to discuss" |
| "Namabu ngauduna chage washakpa Nongmadi soiraroi matamna watemba" | "Swore that you'll fry and eat your mother One day sure, time will judge" |
| "Mang thababu chingli mana Tungthabana elli mabu" | "The one walking in the front leads, and the one behind follows. They are referring to previous generation and younger generation. As the previous generation has experienced things, it leads the way." |
| "Wari sharaga lamben telli Tubak nateina lamba phang-e" | "Talking makes the road shorter Short-cuts makes things within reach" |