# Tamil proverbs

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## A

* அகதிக்கு ஆகாசமே துணை.
* Transliteration: Akatikku ākāsamēy tuṇai.
** Translation: Heaven helps the helpless.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 2
* அகதிக்கு தெய்வமே துணை.
* Transliteration: Akatikkut tēyvamē tuṇai.
** Translation: God Himself is the help of the helpless.
*** P. Percival, Tamil proverbs: with their English translation, 1874, p. 2
* அகத்தி ஆயிரம் காய்த்தாலும் புறத்தி புறத்தியே.
* Transliteration: Akatti āyiram kāyttālum puṟatti puṟattiyē.
** Translation: However many fruits the akatti tree (coronilla) yields, they are only fit to throw away.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 221
* அகத்தின் அழகு முகத்தில் தெரியும்.
* Transliteration: Akattiṉ aḻaku mukattil teriyum.
** Translation: The beauty of the soul is known in the face. Face is the index of the mind.
** "The countenance is the index of the mind."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 300
* அகப்பட்டவனுக்கு அஷ்டமத்துச் சனி, ஓடிப்போனவனுக்கு ஒன்பதாம் இடத்து இராஜா.
* Transliteration: Akappaṭṭavaṉukku aṣṭamattuc caṉi, ōṭippōṉavaṉukku oṉpatām iṭattu irājā.
** Translation: He who was caught was under the influence of Saturn in the eight sign; and he who escaped, was under the influence of Saturn in the ninth.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Saturn situated in the eighth sign from that of one's birth is supposed to exercise a most malignant influence."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 248
* அகப்பட்டுக்கொள்வேன் என்றே கள்ளன் களவு எடுக்கிறது?
* Transliteration: Akappaṭṭukkoḷvēṉ eṉṟē kaḷḷaṉ kaḷavu eṭukkiṟatu?
** Translation: Does a thief steal expecting that he will be caught?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "No one sins thinking that he will have to suffer for it."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 20
* அகப்பை குறைத்தால், மட்டத்துக்கு வருவான் (or கொழுப்பு எல்லாம் அடங்கும்).
* Transliteration: Akappai kuṟaittāl, maṭṭattukku varuvāṉ (or koḻuppu ellām aṭaṅkum).
** Translation: If his spoon is made smaller, he will be manageable; (or his fatness will be reduced).
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Used of a forward child that needs a little management."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 54
* அகல இருந்தால் நிகள உறவு, கிட்டவந்தால் முட்டப் பகை.
* Transliteration: Akala iruntāl nikaḷa uṟavu, kiṭṭavantāl muṭṭap pakai.
** Translation: If separated by a long distance, there will be long-lived friendship, but if they are near each other, there will be perfect hatred.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Friends agree best at a distance."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 303
* அகல இருந்தால் பகையும் உறவாம்.
* Transliteration: Akala iruntāl pakaiyum uṟavām.
** Translation: If (two people) live at a distance, their hatred will turn into friendship.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A hedge between keeps friendship green."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 304
* அகல உழுகிறதைவிட, ஆள உழுகிறதுமேல்.
* Transliteration: Akala uḻukiṟataiviṭa, āḷa uḻukiṟatumēl.
** Translation: Better to plough deep than wide.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "If you begin a work, do it thoroughly and not superficially."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 221
* அகாரியத்தில் பகீரதப் பிரியத்தனமா செய்கிறது?
* Transliteration: Akāriyattil pakīratap piriyattaṉamā ceykiṟatu?
** Translation: Should one make the efforts of Bhagiratha over a trifle?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "King Bhagaritha by his austerities brought the Ganges from heaven. Many people take great pains for no adequate puropose."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 221
* அகோர தபசி விபரீத சோரன்.
* Transliteration: Akōra tapaci viparīta cōraṉ.
** Translation: He performs severe penance outwardly, but he is a great rogue.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "All saint without, all devil within."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 25
* அக்கச்சி உடமை அரிசி, தங்கச்சி உடமை தவிடு.
* Transliteration: Akkacci uṭamai arici, taṅkacci uṭamai taviṭu.
** Translation: If it belongs to the elder sister, it is rice, if it belongs to the younger sister, it is only bran.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 360
* அக்கரை மாட்டுக்கு இக்கரை பச்சை.
* Transliteration: Akkarai māṭṭukku ikkarai paccai.
** Translation: The cow on the one side river (thinks) the other side green.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Distance lends enchantment to the view."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 304
* அக்காடு வெட்டி பருத்தி விதைக்கிறேன் என்றால், அப்பா எனக்கு ஒரு துப்பட்டி என்கிறான் பிள்ளை. அதற்கு அப்பன்
கைகால் பட்டுக் கிழியப்போகிறது, மடித்துப் பெட்டியிலே வை என்கிறான்.
* Transliteration: Akkāṭu veṭṭi parutti vitaikkiṟēṉ eṉṟāl, appā eṉakku oru tuppaṭṭi eṉkiṟāṉ piḷḷai. Ataṟku appaṉ kaikāl paṭṭuk kiḻiyappōkiṟatu, maṭittup peṭṭiyilē vai eṉkiṟāṉ.
** Translation: If the father says, I will cut down that forest and sow cotton seed; the son replies, Father give me a new cloth. On this the father remarks. It is too long for your legs and hands; it will be torn; fold it up; and put it away in the box!
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The boy takes for granted that the cotton has grown up and been woven. The father takes for granted that the boy has got the cloth. Used of premature and unreasonable requests and hopes."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 103
* அக்காள் இருக்கிறவரையில் மச்சான் உறவு.
* Transliteration: Akkāḷ irukkiṟavaraiyil maccāṉ uṟavu.
** Translation: The relationship of a brother-in-law lasts as long as his sister lives.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 244
* அக்காள் பண்டம் அரிசி, தங்கச்சி பண்டம் தவிடு.
* Transliteration: Akkāḷ paṇṭam arici, taṅkacci paṇṭam taviṭu.
** Variation of: அக்கச்சி உடமை அரிசி, தங்கச்சி உடமை தவிடு.
** Translation: The elder sister thinks her own property valuable as rice, hut her younger sister's property she thinks mere chaff.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Every potter praise his own pot, and the more if it be broken."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 360
* அக்காளைப் பழித்துத் தங்கை அவசாரியானாள்.
* Transliteration: Akkāḷaip paḻittut taṅkai avacāriyāṉāḷ.
** Translation: The sister who blamed her elder sister became a harlot herself.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 16
* அக்காளைக் கொண்டால், தங்கை முறை கேட்பானேன்.
* Transliteration: Akkāḷaik koṇṭāl, taṅkai muṟai kēṭpāṉēṉ.
** Translation: Having married the elder sister why does he ask what is his relationship to the younger?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Every one should sweep before his own door."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 229
* அக்கியானம் பிடித்த முண்டைக்குச் சிவக்கியானம் என்று பேர்.
* Transliteration: Akkiyāṉam piṭitta muṇṭaikkuc civakkiyāṉam eṉṟu pēr.
** Translation: The widow is seized with stupidity, but her name is "The Wisdom of Siva"!
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 178
* அக்கிராரத்தில் பிறந்தாலும், நாய் வேதம் அறியுமா?
* Transliteration: Akkirārattil piṟantālum, nāy vētam aṟiyumā?
** Translation: Though a dog is born in a Brahmin street, will it know the Veda?
** Note: There are several other forms of this proverb.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 71
* அக்கிராரத்து நாய் பிரதிஷ்டைக்கு அழுததுபோல.
* Transliteration: Akkirārattu nāy piratiṣṭaikku aḻutatupōla.
** Translation: Like a dog belonging to a Brahmin street weeping for (or hankering after) honour.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Desire of glory is the last garment that even wise men put off."
** Note: A dog in a Pariah village used to visit a dog in a Brahmin village, and enticed it to enter the Pariah village by saying :—"You can get neither meat nor bones from vegetarian Brahmins; come to my place and you shall have both."The other replied : —"I prefer this place, for here I have the great honour of being called the father of Brahmins. For when the Brahmins quarrel they call each other Son of a dog, நாய் மகன்! A sarcasm on those who have false ideas of dignity.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 173
* அக்குத்தொக்கு இல்லாதவனுக்குத் துக்கம் ஏது?
* Transliteration: Akkuttokku illātavaṉukkut tukkam ētu?
** Translation: What sorrow has he, who has no family and no wealth?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 294
* அங்கத்தை ஆற்றிலே அலசொணாதா?
* Transliteration: Aṅkattai āṟṟilē alacoṇātā?
** Translation: Couldn't you wash your body in the river?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Said to a very wicked fellow, whose badness it is impossible to amend."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 41
* அங்காடி விலையை அதிர அடிக்காதே.
* Transliteration: Aṅkāṭi vilaiyai atira aṭikkātē.
** Translation: Do not lower the market rate too much.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Do not curtail the wages of the poor. Dr. Percival explains this as an injunction not to contravene the established opinions and practices of one's associates."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 191
* அங்காடிக்காரியைச் சங்கீதம் பாடச்சொன்னால், வெங்காயம் கருவேப் பிலை என்பாள்.
* Transliteration: Aṅkāṭikkāriyaic caṅkītam pāṭaccoṉṉāl, veṅkāyam karuvēp pilai eṉpāḷ.
** Translation: If you ask a woman, who goes about the street selling vegetables to sing a song, she will only go on crying, 'Onions and greens'!
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 90
* அங்கிட்டு தொடுப்பிக்கு அங்கு இரண்டு குட்டு, இங்கு இரண்டு சொட்டு.
* Transliteration: Aṅkiṭṭu toṭuppikku aṅku iraṇṭu kuṭṭu, iṅku iraṇṭu coṭṭu.
** Translation: A slanderer and talebearer will get two claps there and two cuffs here.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A tale-bearer will tell tales of you as well as to you."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The most dangerous of wild beasts is a slanderer; of tame ones, a flatterer."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A gossip speaks ill of all, and all of her."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 66
* அங்கும் தப்பி, இங்கும் தப்பி, அகப்பட்டுக்கொண்டான் தும்மடிப் பட்டான்.
* Transliteration: Aṅkum tappi, iṅkum tappi, akappaṭṭukkoṇṭāṉ tum'maṭip paṭṭāṉ.
** Translation: The rogue Tummattipattan, who had escaped here and escaped there, was caught after all.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 102
* அங்கும் இருப்பான், இங்கும் இருப்பான், ஆக்கின சொற்றுக்குப் பங்கும் இருப்பான்.
* Transliteration: Aṅkum iruppāṉ, iṅkum iruppāṉ, ākkiṉa coṟṟukkup paṅkum iruppāṉ.
** Translation: He is there and he is here, and he is sure to come for his share of food.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Like a dog in a fair: here, there, everywhere."
** Note: Some persons by carrying tales of different people to their enemies, gain favour from both parties. This proverb is said sarcastically about such busy-bodies.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 168
* அங்கே போனேனோ செத்தேனோ?
* Transliteration: Aṅkē pōṉēṉō cettēṉō?
** Translation: If I go there, I shall be killed
** Note: In colloquial: அங்கே போனால் செத்தேன். The past for the future denotes certainty.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 321
* அங்கே ஏன் அடி மகளே! கஞ்சிக்கு அழுகிறாய், இங்கே வா அடி, காற்றாய்ப் பறக்கலாம்.
* Transliteration: Aṅkē ēṉ aṭi makaḷē! Kañcikku aḻukiṟāy, iṅkē vā aṭi, kāṟṟāyp paṟakkalām.
** Translation: Why my girl, you are crying there for gruel, come over here and you may fly like the wind.
** Note: A neighbour who sees a daughter-in-law weeping says this implying that the girl does get something to eat now, but if she leaves that house she will get nothing, and so go from bad to worse.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 33
* அசத்துக்கு வாய்க்கப்பட்டு (வாழ்க்கைப்பட்டு) ஆயிரம் வருஷம் வாழ்வதைவிட, சட்டத்துக்கு வாய்க்கப்பட்டுச் சட்டென்று தாலி இருப்பதே மேலே.
* Transliteration: Acattukku vāykkappaṭṭu (vāḻkkaippaṭṭu) āyiram varuṣam vāḻvataiviṭa, caṭṭattukku vāykkappaṭṭuc caṭṭeṉṟu tāli iruppatē mēlē.
** Translation: It is better to be united to a virtuous man and cut off the thali after a short time, than to be united to a vile person and live with him for a thousand years.
** Note: When a woman becomes a widow the thali or marriage token is taken off.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 388
* அசலார் குற்றம் போல் தன் குற்றம் பார்த்தால், பின் தீது உண்டோ மன்னுயிர்க்கு?
* Transliteration: Acalār kuṟṟam pōl taṉ kuṟṟam pārttāl, piṉ tītu uṇṭō maṉṉuyirkku?
** Translation: Would there be any more evil in man, if each one would observe his own faults as he observes the faults of his neighbour?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "We carry our neighbour s failings in sight; we throw our own crimes over our shoulders."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 16
* அசலார் (or ஊரார்) உடமைக்குப் பேயாய் பறக்கிறது.
* Transliteration: Acalār (or ūrār) uṭamaikkup pēyāy paṟakkiṟatu.
** Translation: He flies like a devil after a neighbour's property.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "No one is content with his lot."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 101
* அசலிலே பிறந்த கஸ்மாலம்.
* Transliteration: Acalilē piṟanta kasmālam.
** Translation: He is dross born from pure metal!
** Note: Said sarcastically to a worthless person who prides himself on belonging to a high caste.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 91
* அசல் வீடு வாழ்ந்தால், ஐந்து நாள் பட்டினி கிடப்பாள் (or பரதேசம் போகிறது).
* Transliteration: அசல் வீடு வாழ்ந்தால், ஐந்து நாள் பட்டினி கிடப்பாள் (or பரதேசம் போகிறது).
** Translation: If the neighbouring house prospers, she will starve herself for five days (or she will go on a pilgrimage).
** Jensen (1897) explained: "An envious man waxes lean at the fortune of his neighbour."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 62
* அசல்வீட்டான் பிள்ளை ஆபத்துக்கு உதவுவானா?
* Transliteration: Acalvīṭṭāṉ piḷḷai āpattukku utavuvāṉā?
** Translation: Will a neighbour's child give help in times of adversity?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 320
* அசல் வீட்டுக்காரனுக்குப் பரிந்துகொண்டு, ஆம்புடையானை அடித்தாளாம்.
* Transliteration: Acal vīṭṭukkāraṉukkup parintukoṇṭu, āmpuṭaiyāṉai aṭittāḷām.
** Translation: She spoke affectionately with her neighbour, and beat her own husband.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 391
* அசைப்புக்கு (or அடிக்கு) ஆயிரம் பொன் வாங்குவாளா? (or வேண்டுமா)?
* Transliteration: Acaippukku (or aṭikku) āyiram poṉ vāṅkuvāḷā? (Or vēṇṭumā)?
** Translation: Will she get a thousand gold-pieces for each movement (or step)?
** Note: Applied to a lazy and unreasonable man, or to a dancing-girl who will not dance unless well paid.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 121
* அசைவு இருந்தால் விட்டுப் போகமாட்டான்.
* Transliteration: Acaivu iruntāl viṭṭup pōkamāṭṭāṉ.
** Translation: As long as there is a bustle, he won't leave.
** Note: Cf. Thus children keep near when cakes are baking, in hope of getting one. அங்கே அசைவில்லை There is nothing going on there, I can get nothing there.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 104
* அச்சாணி (or தேராணி, or சுள்ளாணி, or கடையாணி) இல்லாத தேர் முச்சாணும் ஓடாது.
* Transliteration: Accāṇi (or tērāṇi, or cuḷḷāṇi, or kaṭaiyāṇi) illāta tēr muccāṇum ōṭātu.
** Translation: A car without a linch-pin will not move three span.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 222
* அச்சி என்றால் உச்சி குளிருமா? அழவனம் (or ஐவனம்) என்றால் கை சிவக்குமா?
* Transliteration: Acci eṉṟāl ucci kuḷirumā? Aḻavaṉam (or aivaṉam) eṉṟāl kai civakkumā?
** Translation: Will the crown of your head feel cool if you simply say Achi? Will your nails become red if you say Aruvanam?
** Note: Achi is the legendary capital of Kuveran (the god of wealth). The Aruvanam (Lawsonia) plant is used in India, as it was in Egypt also by women as a dye to colour their nails red.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Good words and no deeds, are rushes and reeds."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 260
* அஞ்சாவது பெண் கெஞ்சினாலும் கிடையாது.
* Transliteration: Añcāvatu peṇ keñciṉālum kiṭaiyātu.
** Translation: Though you seek humbly to marry a girl who is born fifth in her family, you will not get her.
** Note: If the fifth child in a family is a girl, she is considered to be very lucky.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 388
* அஞ்சி நடக்கிறவர்களுக்குக் காலமல்ல.
* Transliteration: Añci naṭakkiṟavarkaḷukkuk kālamalla.
** Translation: (The present age) is not (favourable) to God-fearing people.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3117.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 330
* அஞ்சிலே வளையாதது, ஐம்பதிலே வளையுமா?
* Transliteration: Añcilē vaḷaiyātatu, aimpatilē vaḷaiyumā?
** Translation: Will that which is not bent at the age of five, bend when it is fifty years old?
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 437.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Bend the tree while it is young."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Hang a thief when he is young, and he will not steal when he is old."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 365
* அஞ்சிலே அறியாதவன், ஐம்பதிலே அறிவானா?
* Transliteration: அஞ்சிலே அறியாதவன், ஐம்பதிலே அறிவானா?
** Translation: Will a child who is ignorant at five, be clever at fifty.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 365
* அஞ்சனக்காரன் முதுகில் வஞ்சனைக்காரன் ஏறினான்.
* Transliteration: Añcaṉakkāraṉ mutukil vañcaṉaikkāraṉ ēṟiṉāṉ.
** Translation: The cheat has got up on the back of the conjurer.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The fox knows much, but more he that catcheth him."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 31.
* அஞ்சினவன் கண்ணுக்கு ஆகாசம் எல்லாம் பேய்.
* Transliteration: Añciṉavaṉ kaṇṇukku ākācam ellām pēy.
** Translation: To the eye of the coward the sky is full of devils.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 2491 and 2492.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 274
* அஞ்சினவனைப் பேய் அடிக்கும்.
* Transliteration: Añciṉavaṉaip pēy aṭikkum.
** Translation: A devil will strike a coward.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 274
* அஞ்சினவனைக் கொஞ்சம் வெருட்டும்.
* Transliteration: அஞ்சினவனைக் கொஞ்சம் வெருட்டும்.
** Translation: Even a young bird may terrify a coward.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 274
* அஞ்சினாரைக் கெஞ்சுவிக்கும், அடித்தாரை வாழ்விக்கும்.
* Transliteration: Añciṉāraik keñcuvikkum, aṭittārai vāḻvikkum.
** Translation: (God) makes the timid to cringe, and the violent to prosper.
** Note: A master will often bully an obedient servant while he yields to an insolent one.- God keeps the good from prospering in a worldly sense, and allows the wicked to prosper.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 2609.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The more rogue, the more luck."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 330
* அஞ்ச பணம் கொடுத்து, கஞ்சித்தண்ணீர் குடிப்பானேன்?
* Transliteration: Añca paṇam koṭuttu, kañcittaṇṇīr kuṭippāṉēṉ?
** Translation: Why should he pay five coins to get rice-water to drink?
** Note: Why pay so much and get so little for it?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 111
* அஞ்ச எழுத்தும் பாவனையும் அப்பனைப்போலிருக்கிறது.
* Transliteration: Añca eḻuttum pāvaṉaiyum appaṉaippōlirukkiṟatu.
** Translation: He is like his father both in the five senses and in his appearance.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 316
* அஞ்ச ஊர் சட்டை சிம்மாளம், அங்கலம் அரிசி ஒரு கவாளம்.
* Transliteration: Añca ūr caṭṭai cim'māḷam, aṅkalam arici oru kavāḷam.
** Translation: She jumps with joy over the quarrels in five villages, and she eats a big measure of rice at a mouthful.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 196.
** Note: Used of a woman who is mighty in strife, and delights to hear ahout quarrels.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 66
* அஞ்சும் மூன்றும் உண்டானால், அறியாப்பெண்ணும் சமைக்கும்.
* Transliteration: Añcum mūṉṟum uṇṭāṉāl, aṟiyāppeṇṇum camaikkum.
** Translation: If the five and the three are at hand, even a young girl may make curry.
** Note: It is easy to do a thing when one has all the help required.
** Note: The 'five' are pepper, salt, mustard, cumin and tamarind. The 'three' are water, fire and fuel.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 349
* அடக்கத்துப் பெண்ணுக்கு அழகு ஏன்?
* Transliteration: Aṭakkattup peṇṇukku aḻaku ēṉ?
** Translation: Why adorn an obedient woman?
** Note: Obedience itself is her beauty.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Beauty in woman is like a flower in spring; but virtue is the star in heaven."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 389
* அடக்கம் ஆயிரம் பொன் தரும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭakkam āyiram poṉ tarum.
** Translation: Submission will yield a thousand gold coins.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Humility often gains more than pride."
** E. Arnold (1883) explained: "By hearing Scripture man acquires; By doing it his soul aspires; The utmost love is conquering sense, Which cometh of obedience."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 54
* அடக்கமுடையார் அறிஞர், அடங்காதார் கல்லார்.
* Transliteration: Aṭakkamuṭaiyār aṟiñar, aṭaṅkātār kallār.
** Translation: The humble are wise, the haughty are ignorant.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 336
* அடங்காப் பாம்புக்கு ராஜா மூங்கில்தடி.
* Transliteration: Aṭaṅkāp pāmpukku rājā mūṅkiltaṭi.
** Translation: A bamboo stick is the king of an insolent snake.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Restive horses must be roughly dealt with."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 51
* அடங்காத பெண்சாதியாலே அத்தைக்கும் (மாமி) நமக்கும் பொல்லாப்பு (சண்டை).
* Transliteration: Aṭaṅkāta peṇcātiyālē attaikkum (māmi) namakkum pollāppu (caṇṭai).
** Translation: On account of my disobedient wife, there is strife between my mother-in-law and me.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Every man can rule a shrew, save he that hath her."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 391
* அடங்காத மனைவியும், ஆங்காரப் புருஷனும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭaṅkāta maṉaiviyum, āṅkārap puruṣaṉum.
** Translation: An obstinate wife and a haughty husband.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "When the husband is fire, and the wife tow, the devil easily sets them in a flame."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 397
* அடங்கின பிடி பிடிக்கவேண்டும், அடங்காத பிடி பிடிக்கப்பார்க்காதே.
* Transliteration: Aṭaṅkiṉa piṭi piṭikkavēṇṭum, aṭaṅkāta piṭi piṭikkappārkkātē.
** Translation: Grasp what you can reach, and do not try to grasp what is beyond your reach.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "He that takes too great a leap falls into the ditch."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 284
* அடம்பங் கொடியும் திரண்டால் மிடுக்கு.
* Transliteration: Aṭampaṅ koṭiyum tiraṇṭāl miṭukku.
** Translation: If tender creepers cling together there will be strength.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 2005 and 2747.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Weak things united become strong."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 312
* அடா என்பான், வெளியே புறப்படான்.
* Transliteration: Aṭā eṉpāṉ, veḷiyē puṟappaṭāṉ.
** Translation: He will say 'Addā' but he will not set out.
** Note: His words are forcible but, he does nothing.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 260
* அடாது செய்தவன் படாது படுவான்.
* Transliteration: Aṭātu ceytavaṉ paṭātu paṭuvāṉ.
** Translation: If one does what is unseemly, he will suffer what he should not suffer.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Fly that pleasure which paineth afterwards."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 20
* அடி என்று அழைக்கப் பெண்சாதியில்லை, பிள்ளை எத்தனை, பெண் எத்தனை என்கிறான்.
* Transliteration: Aṭi eṉṟu aḻaikkap peṇcātiyillai, piḷḷai ettaṉai, peṇ ettaṉai eṉkiṟāṉ.
** Translation: I have not got a wife to call me "my dear," and yet he asks me how many sons and daughters I have?
** Note: Do not ask for the result of a work before the work has commenced.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 281
* அடி என்கிற மந்திரியுமில்லை, பிடி என்கிற ராஜனுமில்லை.
* Transliteration: Aṭi eṉkiṟa mantiriyumillai, piṭi eṉkiṟa rājaṉumillai.
** Translation: There is no minister to say ' Strike' and no king to say ' Arrest.'
** Note: Said when persons act accoi'ding to their own base desires.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 64
* அடியற்றால், நுணி விழாமலிருக்குமா?
* Transliteration: Aṭiyaṟṟāl, nuṇi viḻāmalirukkumā?
** Translation: Will not the top fall if there is no root?
** Note: A proverb of wide application.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 245
* அடியும் நுனியும் தரித்த கட்டைபோல.
* Transliteration: Aṭiyum nuṉiyum taritta kaṭṭaipōla.
** Translation: He is like the trunk of a tree from which the root and top have been cut off.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 106
* அடி ஒட்டி அல்லவோ மேற்கரணம் போடவேண்டும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭi oṭṭi allavō mēṟkaraṇam pōṭavēṇṭum.
** Translation: Rest on something solid and then make your somersault.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 1333.
** Note: Do not enter into any undertaking without having something to depend on.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 320
* அடிநாக்கிலே நஞ்சும், நுனிநாக்கிலே அமிர்தமுமா?
* Transliteration: Aṭinākkilē nañcum, nuṉinākkilē amirtamumā?
** Translation: At the bottom of the tongue is poison; will there be sweetness at the tip?
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 255.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A honey tongue, a heart of gall."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 26
* அடி வயற்றில் இடி விழுந்தாப்போல.
* Transliteration: Aṭi vayaṟṟil iṭi viḻuntāppōla.
** Translation: As if lightning struck the lower part of his stomach.
** Note: Description of midden terror.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 275
* அடி அதிரசம், குத்து கொழுக்கட்டை.
* Transliteration: Aṭi atiracam, kuttu koḻukkaṭṭai.
** Translation: A thrashing is a sweetmeat, and a cuff is a cake.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 403.
** Note: No sense of shame in him.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 41
* அடி உதவுகிறதுபோல, அண்ணன் தம்பி உதவுவார்களா?
* Transliteration: Aṭi utavukiṟatupōla, aṇṇaṉ tampi utavuvārkaḷā?
** Translation: Can an elder brother and a younger brother give help like the help a stick gives?
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3302.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Spare the rod and spoil the child."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "It is the bridle and spur that make a good horse."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 210
* அடிக்க அடிக்கப் பந்து அதிக விசை கொள்ளும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭikka aṭikkap pantu atika vicai koḷḷum.
** Translation: The harder the blow, the faster the ball flies.
** Note: Now used of one who becomes worse by neglecting repeated advice and chastisement.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 207
* அடிக்கும் ஒரு கை, அணைக்கும் ஒரு கை.
* Transliteration: Aṭikkum oru kai, aṇaikkum oru kai.
** Translation: (God's justice and love) smite with one hand, and embrace with the other.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 3
* அடிக்கும் பிடிக்கும் சரி.
* Transliteration: Aṭikkum piṭikkum cari.
** Translation: The beating and the clutching were equal.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 2262, 2266, 2282, 2292 and 1731.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 251
* அடித்த இடம் கண்டுபிடித்து அழ, ஆறுமாசம் செல்லும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭitta iṭam kaṇṭupiṭittu aḻa, āṟumācam cellum.
** Translation: To find the spot on his body where he was beaten, and to cry about it, will take him six months.
** Note: Dullness, stupidity.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 134
* அடித்த ஏருக்கும், குடித்த கூழுக்கும் சரி.
* Transliteration: Aṭitta ērukkum, kuṭitta kūḻukkum cari.
** Translation: His ploughing and the gruel he drank were equal.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 1732, 1741 and 2259.
** Note: What he earned was just enough to live on.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "From hand to mouth."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 191
* அடித்து வளர்க்காத பிள்ளையும், முறுக்கி வளர்க்காத மீசையும் செவ்வை ஆகாது.
* Transliteration: Aṭittu vaḷarkkāta piḷḷaiyum, muṟukki vaḷarkkāta mīcaiyum cevvai ākātu.
** Translation: A child brought up without beating, and a moustache that is not twirled well, will not develop properly.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3343.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 366
* அடித்தது ஆட்டம் பிடித்தது பெண்டு.
* Transliteration: Aṭittatu āṭṭam piṭittatu peṇṭu.
** Translation: To beat people is a joke to him and he treats any woman lie getfl hold of as he likes.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 391.
** Note: Used of unprincipled tyranny.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 42
* அடிமேல் அடி அடித்தால், அம்மியும் நகரும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭimēl aṭi aṭittāl, am'miyum nakarum.
** Translation: Stroke upon stroke will make even a grinding-stone creep.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 1822.
** Note: A grinding-stone is the slab used in grinding curry-stuff and is so heavy that two men are required to lift it.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 207
* அடிப்பானேன் பிடிப்பானேன், அடக்குகிறபடியே அடக்குவேன்.
* Transliteration: Aṭippāṉēṉ piṭippāṉēṉ, aṭakkukiṟapaṭiyē aṭakkuvēṉ.
** Translation: Why does he beat and why does he lay hold of him? 1 will subdue him by means that will subdue him.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 2264 and 2265.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Different sores must have different salves."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A boisterous horse must have a boisterous bridle.''
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 251
* அடியாத மாடு படியாது.
* Transliteration: Aṭiyāta māṭu paṭiyātu.
** Translation: A bullock that is not beaten will not be broken to work.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 2264.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A rod for a fool's back."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 366
* அடியும் பட்டுப் புளித்த மாங்காயும் தின்னவேண்டுமா?
* Transliteration: Aṭiyum paṭṭup puḷitta māṅkāyum tiṉṉavēṇṭumā?
** Translation: Am I to take a beating and also to eat sour mangoes?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Great pain and little gain will make a man soon weary."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 217
* அடுக்கிற அருமை உடைக்கிற நாய்க்குத் தெரியுமா.
* Transliteration: Aṭukkiṟa arumai uṭaikkiṟa nāykkut teriyumā.
** Translation: Does the dog that breaks the pots understand how difficult it is to pile them up?
** Note: In the potter's house and verandah pots of all sizes are placed in great piles. It takes much time to pile them up, but it is easy to knock them down and smash them all.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 84
* அடுக்குசட்டி பூனைபோல இடுக்கிலே ஒளிக்கிறது.
* Transliteration: Aṭukkucaṭṭi pūṉaipōla iṭukkilē oḷikkiṟatu.
** Translation: He hides himself in a corner like a cat near a pile of pots.
** Note: Said of one who is cunning in all lie does and says.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 80
* அடுத்த கூரை வேகும்போது, தன் கூரைக்கு மோசம்.
* Transliteration: Aṭutta kūrai vēkumpōtu, taṉ kūraikku mōcam.
** Translation: When a neighbour's thatch is burning, one's own thatch is in danger.
** Note: The evil that happens to your neighbour may come home to you.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "When the neighbour's house doth burn, be careful of thine own."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 80
* அடுத்த வீட்டுக்காரனுக்கு அதிகாரம் வந்தால், அண்டை வீட்டுக்காரனுக்கு இரைச்சல்.
* Transliteration: Aṭutta vīṭṭukkāraṉukku atikāram vantāl, aṇṭai vīṭṭukkāraṉukku iraiccal.
** Translation: If their neighbour is promoted to authority the people next door will be in for all the noise.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A great lord is a bad neighbour."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 51
* அடுத்த வீட்டுக்காரனுக்கு அதியோகம் (or அதிஷ்டம்) வந்தால், அண்டைவீடு குதிரைலாயம்.
* Transliteration: Aṭutta vīṭṭukkāraṉukku atiyōkam (or atiṣṭam) vantāl, aṇṭaivīṭu kutirailāyam.
** Translation: If a neighbour is fortunate he will buy up the next house for a stable.
** Jensen (1897) explained: He will oppress his neighbours as king Ahab oppressed Naboth. (1 Kings 21.)
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 51
* அடுத்தவனைக் கெடுக்கலாமா?
* Transliteration: Aṭuttavaṉaik keṭukkalāmā?
** Translation: Is it right to ruin him who has come for protection?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 361
* அடுத்து முயன்றுலும், ஆகும் நாள் தான் ஆகும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭuttu muyaṉṟulum, ākum nāḷ tāṉ ākum.
** Translation: Though a man exerts himself over and over again, he shall only get what he seeks at the appointed day.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Every man hath his own planet."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 6
* அடுத்து வந்தவர்களுக்கு ஆதரவு சொல்லுகிறவன் குரு.
* Transliteration: Aṭuttu vantavarkaḷukku ātaravu collukiṟavaṉ kuru.
** Translation: Only he is a priest who speaks encouraging words to those who come to him for shelter.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 13
* அடுத்து அடுத்துச் சொன்னால் தொடுத்த காரியம் முடியும்.
* Transliteration: Aṭuttu aṭuttuc coṉṉāl toṭutta kāriyam muṭiyum.
** Translation: If you speak to him over and over again, the work he has undertaken will be completed.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 209
* அடுப்பும் நெருப்பும் போய், வாய்த் தவிடும் போச்சுது.
* Transliteration: Aṭuppum neruppum pōy, vāyt taviṭum pōccutu.
** Translation: After losing both the hearth and the fire, the bran (i.e., the food) in my mouth was lost too.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 809.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "All is lost: both labour and cost."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 85
* அடுப்பே வனவாசம், கடுப்பே கைலாசம்.
* Transliteration: Aṭuppē vaṉavācam, kaṭuppē kailācam.
** Translation: The hearth is my hermitage, suffering is my heaven (Kailasa).
** Note: Said by a daughter-in-law when ill-treated by her mother-in-iaw, meaning that there is nothing but toil and pain for her.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 370
* அட்டாலும், பால் சுவையில் குன்றாது.
* Transliteration: Aṭṭālum, pāl cuvaiyil kuṉṟātu.
** Translation: Though milk be boiled, its flavour does not diminish.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 329
* அஷ்டதரித்திரம் தாய் வீடு, அதிலும் தரித்திரம் மாமியார் வீடு.
* Transliteration: Aṣṭatarittiram tāy vīṭu, atilum tarittiram māmiyār vīṭu.
** Translation: My mother's house, was as poor as poor can be, but my mother-in-law's house is still worse!
** Note: While unmarried and staying at home with her mother, the girl was badly off; but after she was married and sent to her mother-in-law's house, she found still greater poverty.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Out of the frying pan into the fire."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 32
* அஷ்டத் தரித்திரம் பிடித்தவன் அமராவதியில் வாழ்கிறான் என்று நித்தியத் தரித்திரம் பிடித்தவன் நின்ற நிலையிலே இட்டுக்கொண்டு வந்தான்.
* Transliteration: Aṣṭat tarittiram piṭittavaṉ amarāvatiyil vāḻkiṟāṉ eṉṟu nittiyat tarittiram piṭittavaṉ niṉṟa nilaiyilē iṭṭukkoṇṭu vantāṉ.
** Translation: Though he knew that she who had suffered the eight kinds of poverty (i.e. want of wealth, children, jewels, &c.) was enjoying married happiness in the heaven of Indra, he (her brother or father) who suffered eternal poverty came and persisted in taking her away.
** Note: It frequently happens that the relations of a woman insist on fetching her from her husband's house, because they think she is not happy, though they themselves are too poor to give her the comforts she had in her husband's house. The above proverb is quoted about such foolish fondness.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3298.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 353
* அஷ்டமத்துச் சனியை வட்டிக்கு வாங்கினதுபோல.
* Transliteration: Aṣṭamattuc caṉiyai vaṭṭikku vāṅkiṉatupōla.
** Translation: Like buying Saturn (a malignant star) in his worst shape with borrowed money.
** Note: i.e., Wilfully courting utter destruction by one's folly.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "He that courts injury will obtain it."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 20
* அஷ்டமத்துச் சனி பிடித்தது, புட்டத்துத் துணியும் உரிந்துகொண்டது.
* Transliteration: Aṣṭamattuc caṉi piṭittatu, puṭṭattut tuṇiyum urintukoṇṭatu.
** Translation: Saturn in the eighth sign seized him, and stripped off even his loin-cloth.
** Note: Said of a person who has ruined another.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 248
* அணில் ஏறவிட்ட நாய்போல்.
* Transliteration: Aṇil ēṟaviṭṭa nāypōl.
** Translation: Like the dog that let the squirrel ran up a tree. He could never catch it again.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 109
* அணிற்பிள்ளைக்கு நுங்கு அரிதோ, ஆண்டிச்சி பிள்ளைக்குச் சோறு அரிதோ?
* Transliteration: Aṇiṟpiḷḷaikku nuṅku aritō, āṇṭicci piḷḷaikkuc cōṟu aritō?
** Translation: Is palmyra fruit a rarity to a squirrel? Is rice a rarity to a beggar-woman's child?
** Note: A sarcasm on the 'poverty' of religious mendicants.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 156
* அணில் ஏறவிட்ட நாய்போல்.
* Transliteration: Aṇil ēṟaviṭṭa nāypōl.
** Translation: Like the dog that let the squirrel ran up a tree.
** Note: He could never catch it again.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 109
* அணிற்பிள்ளைக்கு நுங்கு அரிதோ, ஆண்டிச்சி பிள்ளைக்குச் சோறு அரிதோ?
* Transliteration: Aṇiṟpiḷḷaikku nuṅku aritō, āṇṭicci piḷḷaikkuc cōṟu aritō?
** Translation: Is palmyra fruit a rarity to a squirrel? Is rice a rarity to a beggar-woman's child?
** Note: A sarcasm on the 'poverty' of religious mendicants.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 156
* அணை கடந்த வெள்ளம் அழுதாலும் வராது.
* Transliteration: Aṇai kaṭanta veḷḷam aḻutālum varātu.
** Translation: Will the flood that has leaped over its banks go back if you weep?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 94
* அண்ட நிழலில்லாமல்போனாலும், பேர் ஆலால விருக்ஷம்.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭa niḻalillāmalpōṉālum, pēr ālāla virukṣam.
** Translation: Though he gives no shade for you to resort to, his name is 'Banyan tree.'
** Note: The Banyan, Ficus Indica, is a very shady tree.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 178
* அண்டத்தைச் சுமக்கிறவனுக்கு சுண்டைக்காய்ப் பாரமா?
* Transliteration: Aṇṭattaic cumakkiṟavaṉukku cuṇṭaikkāyp pāramā?
** Translation: What is the burden of a small fruit to him who bears the universe?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 225
* அண்டத்துக்கு ஒத்தது பிண்டத்துக்கு.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭattukku ottatu piṇṭattukku.
** Translation: That which is like the whole is like its parts.
** Note: Like father like son; like master like servant.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 316
* அண்டை மேலே கோபம், கடாவின் மேலே காட்டினது போல (or ஆறினதுபோல்).
* Transliteration: Aṇṭai mēlē kōpam, kaṭāviṉ mēlē kāṭṭiṉatu pōla (or āṟiṉatupōl).
** Translation: Like wreaking on the goat the anger he felt towards his neighbour.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Since he cannot revenge on the ass, he falls on the pack-saddle."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 17
* அண்டைவீட்டுப் பார்ப்பான் சண்டை மூட்டித் தீர்ப்பான்.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭaivīṭṭup pārppāṉ caṇṭai mūṭṭit tīrppāṉ.
** Translation: The Brahmin in the next house breeds a quarrel and settles it.
** Note: He gains honour or profit by settling quarrels that he has himself aroused.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 256, 264, 271.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Reynard is still Reynard, though he put on a cowl."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 25
* அண்டைவீட்டுக்காரி பிள்ளை பெற்றால் என்று அசல்வீட்டுக்காரி இடித்துக்கொண்டதுபோல.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭaivīṭṭukkāri piḷḷai peṟṟāl eṉṟu acalvīṭṭukkāri iṭittukkoṇṭatupōla.
** Translation: Like the woman who struck her own stomach when she heard that her next door neighbour had borne a child.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 580, 586.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 62
* அண்டை வீட்டுச் சண்டை கண்ணுக்குக் குளிர்ச்சி.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭai vīṭṭuc caṇṭai kaṇṇukkuk kuḷircci.
** Translation: A quarrel in a neighbouring house is a pleasure to the eye.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 66
* அண்டைவீட்டுக் கடனும் பிட்டத்துச் சிரங்கும் (or அறையிலே புண்ணும் or இடுப்பிலே புண்ணும்) ஆகாது.
* Transliteration: Aṇṭaivīṭṭuk kaṭaṉum piṭṭattuc ciraṅkum (or aṟaiyilē puṇṇum or iṭuppilē puṇṇum) ākātu.
** Translation: Being in debt to a neighbour and itch on one's breech ought not to be.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 1106, 2310.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 119
* அண்ணனுக்குப் பெண் பிறந்தால், அத்தை அசல் நாட்டாள்.
* Transliteration: Aṇṇaṉukkup peṇ piṟantāl, attai acal nāṭṭāḷ.
** Translation: If the elder brother gets a daughter, his sister becomes a stranger to him.
** Note: All his kindness was formerly directed to his sister, but now all goes to his own child. நாட்டாள் is sometimes written நாடாள். The proverb then implies that the sister who has a son will not seek a wife for him among strangers, but will demand her elder brother's daughter for him.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 37
* அண்ணன் பேரில் இருந்த கோபத்தை நாய் பேரில் ஆற்றினான்.
* Transliteration: Aṇṇaṉ pēril irunta kōpattai nāy pēril āṟṟiṉāṉ.
** Translation: The anger he felt towards his elder brother, he cooled on the dog.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "He that cannot beat his horse beats the saddle."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 17
* அண்ணன் பெரியவர், அப்பா, காலைப் பிடி.
* Transliteration: Aṇṇaṉ periyavar, appā, kālaip piṭi.
** Translation: (He admits that) his elder brother is his superior but calls out to him 'appā! shampoo my feet!'
** Note: Used of an inferior who demands respect from his betters. Appā is a familiar term for Aiya, Sir.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 260
* அண்ணன் சேனையில் அள்ளி உண்ணப்போகிறான்.
* Transliteration: Aṇṇaṉ cēṉaiyil aḷḷi uṇṇappōkiṟāṉ.
** Translation: She goes to eat food by handfuls in her elder brother's great household.
** Note: A sneer at the harshness of the girl's mother-in-law. It is only in her own mother's house that the girl can enjoy herself and feel at liberty to feast as she likes.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 353
* அண்ணன்தான் கூடப் பிறந்தான், அண்ணி கூடப் பிறந்தாளா?
* Transliteration: Aṇṇaṉtāṉ kūṭap piṟantāṉ, aṇṇi kūṭap piṟantāḷā?
** Translation: Your elder brother was born to your own mother, but was his wife also?
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3212.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 353
* அண்ணாமலையாருக்கு அறுபத்துநாலு பூசை, ஆண்டிகளுக்கு எழுபத்துநாலு பூசை.
* Transliteration: Aṇṇāmalaiyārukku aṟupattunālu pūcai, āṇṭikaḷukku eḻupattunālu pūcai.
** Translation: The god Annamalaiyar is worshipped sixty-four times, while his priests are worshipped seventy-four times.
** Note: One must spend more in bribes on small officials than on big ones. Or, subordinates are more punctilious in exacting homage than great officials.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 1377.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The servant of a king is a king."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 151
* அதமனுக்கு (vulg. அதவைக்கு) ஆயிரம் ஆயுசு.
* Transliteration: Atamaṉukku (vulg. Atavaikku) āyiram āyucu.
** Translation: A vile man lives a thousand years.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 446.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A bad thing never dies."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "An ill stake standeth longest."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A creaking door hangs on its hinges."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 48
* அதிக கரிசனம் (or பக்ஷம்) ஆனாலும், ஆம்புடையானை அப்பா என்று அழைக்கிறதா?
* Transliteration: Atika karicaṉam (or pakṣam) āṉālum, āmpuṭaiyāṉai appā eṉṟu aḻaikkiṟatā?
** Translation: Should you ever call your husband 'appā,' however much you may like him?
** Note: A husband should always be treated respectfully.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 266
* அதிகாரி வீட்டுக் கோழிமுட்டை குடியானவன் வீட்டு அம்மியை உடைத்ததாம்.
* Transliteration: Atikāri vīṭṭuk kōḻimuṭṭai kuṭiyāṉavaṉ vīṭṭu am'miyai uṭaittatām.
** Translation: It is said that an egg laid in a great man's house smashed a farmer's grinding stone!
** Note: The servants of a great man can ruin humble folks. Servants in India arrogate to themselves at least two thirds of their master's authority.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 151
* அதிகாரியும் தலையாரியும் கூடி, விடியுமட்டும் திருடலாம்.
* Transliteration: Atikāriyum talaiyāriyum kūṭi, viṭiyumaṭṭum tiruṭalām.
** Translation: If the head-man and the village watch-man are in league, they can steal till daybreak.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 814.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 86
* அதிசயமான ரம்பை அரிசி கொட்டுகிற தொம்பை (or தொம்பைக் கூண்டு).
* Transliteration: Aticayamāṉa rampai arici koṭṭukiṟa tompai (or tompaik kūṇṭu).
** Translation: The wonderful Rhamba is only like a grain-bin.
** Note: Similiar to sling of numbers 2695, 2698.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 380
* அதிக்கிரமமான ஊரில் கொதிக்கிற மீனும் சிரிக்குமாம்.
* Transliteration: Atikkiramamāṉa ūril kotikkiṟa mīṉum cirikkumām.
** Translation: Even a fish that is being boiled laughs in a very wicked village.
** Note: Said to one who relates something very doubtful.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 284
* அதிஷ்டமும் ஐசுவரியமும் ஒருவர் பங்கல்ல.
* Transliteration: Atiṣṭamum aicuvariyamum oruvar paṅkalla.
** Translation: Good fortune and riches are never one man's share (Anyone may be lucky enough to get them).
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 8
* அதிஷ்டம் ஆறாய் பெருகிறது.
* Transliteration: Atiṣṭam āṟāy perukiṟatu.
** Translation: Fortune (if it comes) comes like a river in flood.
** Note: In the rainy season Indian rivers will often suddenly rise many feet in a few hours.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 8
* அதிஷ்டமில்லாதவனுக்குப் கலப் பால் வந்தாலும், அதையும் பூனை குடிக்கும்.
* Transliteration: Atiṣṭamillātavaṉukkup kalap pāl vantālum, ataiyum pūṉai kuṭikkum.
** Translation: Even if an unlucky man gets a (large) measure of milk the cat will drink it.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 96.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 9
* அதிஷ்டமிருந்தால், அரசு பண்ணலாம்.
* Transliteration: Atiṣṭamiruntāl, aracu paṇṇalām.
** Translation: If a man be lucky he may get a country to rule.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Luck is all"
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 10
* அதிஷ்டவான் மண்ணைத் தொட்டாலும் பொன்னாகும்.
* Transliteration: Atiṣṭavāṉ maṇṇait toṭṭālum poṉṉākum.
** Translation: The fortunate need only touch earth, and it becomes gold.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 10
* அதிர அடித்தால், உதிர விளையும்.
* Transliteration: Atira aṭittāl, utira viḷaiyum.
** Translation: He who is severe in his treatment of others will prosper.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 331
* அதிலே குறைச்சலில்லை, ஆட்டடா மணியை பூசாரி.
* Transliteration: Atilē kuṟaiccalillai, āṭṭaṭā maṇiyai pūcāri.
** Translation: There is no fault to find in you, O, poojāri (priest of Kāli), only be punctual in ringing the bell before the image.
** Note: Used of any rogue who pretends to honesty.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 217
* அது அதற்கு ஒரு கவலை, எனக்கு எட்டுக் கவலை.
* Transliteration: Atu ataṟku oru kavalai, eṉakku eṭṭuk kavalai.
** Translation: Others have only one anxiety, but I have eight anxieties.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 211
* அது நான் செய்யாதேபோனால், என் மீசை எடுத்திவிடுகிறேன் (or இது மீசையா?)
* Transliteration: Atu nāṉ ceyyātēpōṉāl, eṉ mīcai eṭuttiviṭukiṟēṉ (or itu mīcaiyā?)
** Translation: If I do not accomplish that work, I will take off my mustache.
** Note: This proverb is used by Sudras to express the determination to succeed in an enterprised named or else to renounce all secular things. Hindus generally wear only a mustache. But Brahmins generally do not wear even, a mustache as the mustache is looked on as a sign of pride, and they profess to be without pride. Some ascetics however, wear both beard and mustache and Mahratta Brahmins wear mustaches.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 208
* அதெல்லாம் உண்டிட்டு, வா என்பாள் (or ஏப்பம் கொள்வாள்).
* Transliteration: Atellām uṇṭiṭṭu, vā eṉpāḷ (or ēppam koḷvāḷ).
** Translation: Having taken it all in, she says, Come on again (or hiccups).
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 1041.
** Note: Said of a bad wife who has become callous to threats and punishments.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 112
* அதைக் கை கழுவவேண்டியதுதான்.
* Transliteration: Ataik kai kaḻuvavēṇṭiyatutāṉ.
** Translation: You must wash your hands of it.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 2243.
** Note: Give up hopes of getting that money; yon will never get it; he is unable to pay you.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 250
* அறுக்கமாட்டாதவன் இடுப்பிலே ஐம்பத்தெட்டு அரிவாள்.
* Transliteration: Aṟukkamāṭṭātavaṉ iṭuppilē aimpatteṭṭu arivāḷ.
** Translation: He who is unable to reap, carries fifty-eight sickles at his side.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 121

## Ā

* ஆக்கப் பொறுத்தவன், ஆறப் பொறுக்கமாட்டானா?
* Transliteration: Ākkap poṟuttavaṉ, āṟap poṟukkamāṭṭāṉā?
** Translation: Will not be who has waited till the food is cooked, also wait till it cools?
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 318
* ஆழம் தெரியாமல் காலை இட்டுக்கொண்டதுபோல.
* Transliteration: Āḻam teriyāmal kālai iṭṭukkoṇṭatupōla.
** Translation: Like stepping into the water without knowing its depth.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Used about beginning operations without fully understanding their cost. (Cf. Luc. 14, 28.) Also about evil deeds that are done in the belief that they will never be found out. A danger foreseen is half avoided."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 145
* ஆழாக்கு அரிசி, மூழாக்குப் பானை, முதலியார் வருகிற வீறாப்பப் பாரும்.
* Transliteration: Āḻākku arici, mūḻākkup pāṉai, mutaliyār varukiṟa vīṟāppap pārum.
** Translation: The Mudaliyar has only a small measure of rice, but keeps a pot that can hold three such measures. Behold the pomp of the Mudaliyar!
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Penniless, but bragging of having a plum."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 179
* ஆறின கஞ்சி பழங் கஞ்சி.
* Transliteration: Āṟiṉa kañci paḻaṅ kañci.
** Translation: Cold food is (soon) old food.
*** P. Percival, Tamil proverbs: with their English translation, 1874, p. 83
* ஆற்றிலே ஆயிரம் காணி தான பண்ணினாற்போல.
* Transliteration: Āṟṟilē āyiram kāṇi tāṉa paṇṇiṉāṟpōla.
** Translation: Like making you a gift of a thousand acres of land in a sandy river.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "A worthless gift. Sometimes used of a master who assigns much of work on little pay."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 89
* ஆற்றிலே போகிற தண்ணீரை, அப்பா குடி, ஆத்தான் குடி.
* Transliteration: Āṟṟilē pōkiṟa taṇṇīrai, appā kuṭi, āttāṉ kuṭi.
** Translation: O, father, O mother! drink of the water that runs in the river.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Often used of shameless claims on public money, especially public charities."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 89
* ஆற்றிலே போட்டாலும் அளந்து போட வேண்டும்.
* Transliteration: Āṟṟilē pōṭṭālum aḻantup pōṭa vēṇṭum.
** Translation: Although you are throwing it into the river, measure it first.
*** P. Percival, Tamil proverbs: with their English translation, 1874, p. 85

## Ē

* ஏட்டுச் சுரக்காய் கறிக்கு ஆகுமா?
* Transliteration: Ēṭṭuc curakkāy kaṟikku ākumā?
* Translation: Will the word pumpkin serve for a meal?
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Bare words buy no barley."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "The wine in the bottle doth not quench thirst.”
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 261

## Ai

* ஐந்து வயது பிள்ளைக்கு ஐம்பது வயது பெண் கால் முடக்கவேண்டும்.
* Transliteration: Aintu vayatu piḷḷaikku aimpatu vayatu peṇ kāl muṭakkavēṇṭum.
** Translation: A woman of fifty must sit with folded legs before a boy of five years.
** Note: Similiar to sling of number 3566.
** Note: i. e. A woman must always be respectful to one-of the other sex. To sit on the ground with the legs stretched out straight is not thought a respectful attitude.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 389

## M

* மாளிகை கட்டி வன்குரங்கு (or மரநாய்) கட்டினதுபோல.
* Transliteration: Māḷikai kaṭṭi vaṉkuraṅku (or maranāy) kaṭṭiṉatupōla.
** Translation: Like building a palace and keeping a monkey (or pole-cat) in it.
** Note: The 'monkey' is the stingy person in a family, who prevents others from being liberal to beggars.
* நாய்பெற்ற தெங்கம் பழம் **Jensen (1897) explained: "Like the gardener’s dog, that neither eats cabbage itself, nor lets anybody else."
** Jensen (1897) explained: "Like a dog in a manger."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 207

## T

* தான் ஆண்ட உலக்கையும், தங்கப் பூஞ்சரடும் தலை மருமகளுக்கு.
* Transliteration: Tāṉ āṇṭa ulakkaiyum, taṅkap pūñcaraṭum talai marumakaḷukku.
** Translation: The pestle which the mother-in-law used and her gold necklace should go to the eldest daughter-in-law.
** Note: A certain daughter-in-law hated her mother-in-law, and one day being alone with her in the house struck her on the breast with the pestle or rice-pounder, so that she fell down speechless. The other women were called in, and the mother-in-law pointed to the wicked daughter-in-law, to the rice-pounder and to her own breast. The women asked the murderess for an explanation of these signs, and she said: Being the eldest of you all, I am to have the rice-pounder and the golden necklace on her breast.
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 402.
* திட்டிக் கெட்டாருமில்லை, வாழ்த்தி வாழ்ந்தாருமில்லை.
* Transliteration: Tiṭṭik keṭṭārumillai, vāḻtti vāḻntārumillai.
* Translation: No man was ever ruined by being cursed, and no one ever prospered because he was blessed.
** Jensen (1897) explained: "No one dies of threats."
*** Herman Jensen, A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 1897, p. 165
* கிட்டவா நாயே என்றால், மூஞ்சியை (prop. முகத்தை) நக்குகிறது.
** If you say, Come here, dogǃ It will lick its face and come (cringing).
** English equivalentː Dogs wags their tails, not as much to you as to your bread.
** Jensen, Herman (1897). "926". தமிழ் பழமொழிகள்: பொருள் வகையாக பகுக்கப்பட்டது. p. 100. ISBN 978-81-206-0026-3.
* கோபத்தில் அறுத்த மூக்கு சந்தோஷத்தில் வருமா?
** Will happiness restore a nose that has been cut off in anger?
** Greek equivalentː Shove anger aside.
** Noteː A jealous husband in India sometimes cuts off his wife's nose in his anger. If the quarrel is made up and he lives happily with his wife again, he would like to undo what he has done, but, of course, cannot.
** Jensen, Herman (1897). "879". தமிழ் பழமொழிகள்: பொருள் வகையாக பகுக்கப்பட்டது. p. 94. ISBN 978-81-206-0026-3.

## External links

* Herman Jensen (1897), A classified collection of Tamil proverbs, 2nd ed.
* P. Percival (1874), Tamil proverbs: with their English translation, 2nd ed.