Proverbs, Sayings etc. in any of the languages/cultures of India

[The Last Stand]

The Tirukkural is also filled with gems. I'll post some in a bit.

 

[Krusty]

Some words of wisdom about education from the two Avvaiyars. (both were female poets).

கற்றது கை மண்ணளவு , கல்லாதது உலகளவு (only first line)
"Katrathu kai mannalavu, kallathathu ulagalavu."

Translation: What is learned is merely a handful of sand, and what's left is the rest of the world.

Spoiler

Actually from one of Avvaiyar's (sangam age) poems. I remembered it was in one of my old Tamil Books, and Voila, STD VII.
http://www.textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/Books/Std07/Std07-I-TamEng.pdf Pg50 with Tamil meaning

மன்னனும் மாசறக் கற்றோனும் சீர்தூக்கின்
மன்னனில் கற்றோன் சிறப்புடையன் – மன்னர்க்குத்
தன்தேசம் அல்லால் சிறப்பில்லை கற்றோற்குச்
சென்றஇடம் எல்லாம் சிறப்பு. (too good to not quote completely)
Mannanum masarak katronum seerthookin, mannanil katron sirappudaiyan. Mannarku thanthesamallal sirappillai, katrorku sendra idam ellam sirappu.

These days, only "Katrorku sellum idam ellam sirappu"

Translation: If we compare the King with a well-educated man (mentioned as a man of flawless education in the poem), the man is superior. The King is not special anywhere outside his kingdom, but the educated man is held in high esteem wherever he is.

Spoiler

http://www.edubilla.com/tamil/moothurai/ song 26 (Chola Age Avvaiyar)

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Tamil has no lack of beautiful poems. Sorry for a long post.

Why are you sorry? Sangam literature is a beauty in itself. its a shame records older than 400BC (First Sangam period) have been lost. Anyone who likes literature will love it. Its one of the oldest in the world. we should be proud! I am trying to find a good translation of Sangam text myself. I will upload them and word of mouth sayings as and when I find it. The first one was one of my favourites

 

[Krusty]

Damnit How did I miss this one in my first post.
One of favs....

LOL. beat you to it I guess. I am suddenly in a quest to read Sangam literature thanks to this thread. And I must say, it feels good ... Thank you @Razor

 

[The Last Stand]

செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது (111)

Behold the Kindness done without any obligation: even the heavens and the earth are too poor to repay it. (VVS Aiyar)

கூற்றுடன்று மேல்வரினும் கூடி எதிர்நிற்கும்
ஆற்றல் அதுவே படை (can't find the number right now, but I do know it exists)

An army is one that will stand and fight even when the Reaper himself is upon them (Me )

Some from "Kaalamarithal" -- Knowing the right time -- with an english equivalent

அருவினை யென்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின். (483)

Where is the thing called impossible if you start on the enterprise with a knowledge of the right season, and employ the right means? (VVS Aiyar)

ஞாலம் கருதினுங் கைகூடுங் காலம்
கருதி இடத்தாற் செயின். (484)

You can conquer even the whole world if you choose the proper time and the proper objectives (VVS Aiyar)

And the english equivalent: From "If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and everything that's in it,
And, what is more, you'll be a man, my son.

Don't think that needs explanation.

Another from Kalamarithal
ஊக்க முடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து.

The restraint (waiting) of the man of action, is merely the equivalent of a ram taking a step back before rushing in to attack. (me)

One of the most sensible 10 in the Thirukkural, really.
http://www.thirukkural.com/search/label/காலமறிதல்

 

[Krusty]

செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது (111)

Behold the Kindness done without any obligation: even the heavens and the earth are too poor to repay it. (VVS Aiyar)

கூற்றுடன்று மேல்வரினும் கூடி எதிர்நிற்கும்
ஆற்றல் அதுவே படை (can't find the number right now, but I do know it exists)

An army is one that will stand and fight even when the Reaper himself is upon them (Me )

Some from "Kaalamarithal" -- Knowing the right time -- with an english equivalent

அருவினை யென்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின். (483)

Where is the thing called impossible if you start on the enterprise with a knowledge of the right season, and employ the right means? (VVS Aiyar)

ஞாலம் கருதினுங் கைகூடுங் காலம்
கருதி இடத்தாற் செயின். (484)

You can conquer even the whole world if you choose the proper time and the proper objectives (VVS Aiyar)

And the english equivalent: From "If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and everything that's in it,
And, what is more, you'll be a man, my son.

Don't think that needs explanation.

Another from Kalamarithal
ஊக்க முடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து.

The restraint (waiting) of the man of action, is merely the equivalent of a ram taking a step back before rushing in to attack. (me)

One of the most sensible 10 in the Thirukkural, really.
http://www.thirukkural.com/search/label/காலமறிதல்

Brilliant. I quite like the translation. Is this some website or did you do it yourself. I think before posting this it would be good if you give a background of thirukkural to the readers of this thread.

 

[Krusty]

OK this is one of my most favorite sayings.

Tamil: அடி உதவிரமாதிரி அன்னன் தன்பி கூட உதவமாட்டார்.

Transliterate: Adi uthavura maari annan thambi Kooda uthavamaatar

Lit: even bothers cant help the way a good beating does.

Meaning: this talks about the 'danda' stage, to put into perspective...

 

[The Last Stand]

Brilliant. I quite like the translation. Is this some website or did you do it yourself. I think before posting this it would be good if you give a background of thirukkural to the readers of this thread.

Translator mentioned in brackets. If I know roughly where the Kural is, I use my book, or else if I know the Kural and not know where exactly it is, I've translated the meaning roughly.

There's a nice website has all the 1330 w/ 3 different Tamil explanations, a literal English translation and the meaning in English.

http://www.thirukkural.com/

and if you want just the Tamil meanings,
http://thirukkural.gokulnath.com/#/thirukkuralchapters/1/thirukkurals

I prefer thumbing through my Thirukkural book to searching on the internet, but if you don't have a translation, the internet should well suffice.

 

[Krusty]

Translator mentioned in brackets. If I know roughly where the Kural is, I use my book, or else if I know the Kural and not know where exactly it is, I've translated the meaning roughly.

There's a nice website has all the 1330 w/ 3 different Tamil explanations, a literal English translation and the meaning in English.

http://www.thirukkural.com/

and if you want just the Tamil meanings,
http://thirukkural.gokulnath.com/#/thirukkuralchapters/1/thirukkurals

I prefer thumbing through my Thirukkural book to searching on the internet, but if you don't have a translation, the internet should well suffice.

I was trying to help out fellow DFI'ians.

Offtopic: Its ironic that Pikolo is talking about Thirukkural :biggrin2:

 

[Johny_Baba]

This thread urges me to learn amazing languages of South...but i'm 'scared' of such 'Curvy' alphabets...

 

[Ancient Indian]

నీ కడుపు చల్లగుండ. . .
--Nee kadupu challagunda. .
It is blessing that old people use. . .
It relates to peace and content.

 

[Krusty]

నీ కడుపు చల్లగుండ. . .
--Nee kadupu challagunda. .
It is blessing that old people use. . .
It relates to peace and content.

Final ga Telugu entry ichiunthi. inka kooda expect chesthanu..... Pardon me.. My telugu is kind of shaky

 

[Krusty]

Chottilya sheelam chodala vara
Translation: habits of the cradle shall last till the grave
Jathyia gunam thuta marilya
The habits of your caste shall not go away from you even if you wipe

Bro what language is this? I can recognize script to a certain extent but not transliteration.

 

[The Last Stand]

I was trying to help out fellow DFI'ians.

Offtopic: Its ironic that Pikolo is talking about Thirukkural :biggrin2:

Yeah well, blame me for being hyped about Super's English Dub.
Japanese Subs are decent, but you can only get so far.

Besides, I'm too young to act mature.

 

[Akask kumar]

in maghi/bihari --
LE LOTTA -- equivalent -- oh F**K..

 

[Razor]

Bro what language is this? I can recognize script to a certain extent but not transliteration.

Malayalam.
Here's one more from Malayalam:
"muthavar chollum mudhunellika adhyam kayyikum, pinne madhurikum."
Literal= The words of elders are like nellika (amla) first they taste sour then its sweetness is revealed.
==> Wisdom of elders is not to be underestimated because it comes from practical application over the generations.

 

[F-14B]

Bro what language is this? I can recognize script to a certain extent but not transliteration.

It is മലയാളം, Malayāḷam 30 character is ancient and noble

 

[Razor]

Good stuff @Keshav Murali
Keep it going. Thanks.

 

[F-14B]

Pazhancholil pathirilla

There is nothing wrong in old sayings

 

[F-14B]

Uppuolum varila uppuil ittath

Anything that is put in salt shall not equal the teast of salt

 

[The Last Stand]

அக்கரைக்கு இக்கரைப் பச்சை
Akkaraikku ikkarai pachchai

"The Grass is always greener on the other side"

Well, literally, they mean the other shore, but you know where English stole it from now.