Tamil Proverbs

பழமொழிகள்

Pazhamozhi, or old sayings, carry the everyday wisdom of Tamil homes. Each one here has a word-for-word translation and what it means when people say it.

ஆழம் தெரியாமல் காலை விடாதே
aazham theriyaamal kaalai vidaadhe
Literally: Do not put your leg in without knowing the depth.
Meaning: Understand a situation properly before you step into it.
சிறு துளி பெரு வெள்ளம்
siru thuli peru vellam
Literally: Small drops, a great flood.
Meaning: Little amounts of saving or effort, added up over time, become something big.
கற்றது கை மண் அளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு
katradhu kai man alavu, kallaadhadhu ulagalavu
Literally: What has been learnt is a handful of sand; what has not been learnt is the size of the world.
Meaning: However much you know, there is far more to learn, so stay humble and keep learning.
யானைக்கும் அடி சறுக்கும்
yaanaikkum adi sarukkum
Literally: Even an elephant's foot slips.
Meaning: Even the strongest or most skilled person can make a mistake.
அடி மேல் அடி வைத்தால் அம்மியும் நகரும்
adi mel adi vaiththaal ammiyum nagarum
Literally: Blow after blow, and even the grinding stone will move.
Meaning: Steady, repeated effort can shift even what seems immovable.
எறும்பு ஊரக் கல்லும் தேயும்
erumbu oorak kallum theyum
Literally: As ants keep crawling over it, even stone wears away.
Meaning: Small, patient efforts, kept up day after day, achieve great things.
கடுகு சிறுத்தாலும் காரம் குறையாது
kadugu siruththaalum kaaram kuraiyaadhu
Literally: Though the mustard seed is small, its sharpness is not less.
Meaning: Do not judge anyone by their size; small people can have great strength or talent.
நிறைகுடம் தளும்பாது
niraikudam thalumbaadhu
Literally: A full pot does not slosh.
Meaning: People who truly know a lot are calm and do not show off.
ஐந்தில் வளையாதது ஐம்பதில் வளையுமா?
aindhil valaiyaadhadhu aimbadhil valaiyumaa?
Literally: What does not bend at five, will it bend at fifty?
Meaning: Good habits are best learnt young; they are much harder to form later in life.
அகத்தின் அழகு முகத்தில் தெரியும்
agaththin azhagu mugaththil theriyum
Literally: The beauty of the heart shows on the face.
Meaning: What you feel inside, good or bad, can be seen in your face.
காற்றுள்ள போதே தூற்றிக்கொள்
kaatrulla podhe thootrikkol
Literally: Winnow while the wind is blowing.
Meaning: Make good use of an opportunity while you have it.
இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை
ikkaraikku akkarai pachai
Literally: From this bank, the other bank looks green.
Meaning: Other people's situations always seem better than our own.
அளவுக்கு மிஞ்சினால் அமிர்தமும் நஞ்சு
alavukku minjinaal amirdhamum nanju
Literally: Beyond the right measure, even nectar is poison.
Meaning: Too much of anything, even something good, does harm.
ஆற்றில் போட்டாலும் அளந்து போடு
aatril pottaalum alandhu podu
Literally: Even if you are throwing it into the river, measure it first.
Meaning: Be careful and thoughtful with money and resources, however you use them.
கூழானாலும் குளித்துக் குடி, கந்தையானாலும் கசக்கிக் கட்டு
koozhaanaalum kuliththuk kudi, kandhaiyaanaalum kasakkik kattu
Literally: Even if it is only porridge, bathe before you drink it; even if it is only a rag, wash it before you wear it.
Meaning: Whatever you have, keep yourself clean and live with dignity.