Tamil Proverbs + English Translation

written by:  Krystof-Sandor Harfst

Table of Content

Proverbs are a rich source of wisdom and insight that have been passed down from generation to generation. Tamil proverbs, in particular, are known for their depth and poetic beauty. In this article, we will explore 100 proverbs in Tamil and their English translations.

Tamil Proverbs & English Translation

  1. அகற்று மாற்றுக் கூடாது - Don't change the way you do things just because someone else does them differently
  2. அகல தூறு மாறாது - The faraway lamp does not burn out
  3. அகல வெளியிலும் இருக்கும் மனைவி முத்தம் - Your wife will be with you even if you go far away
  4. அடி கடி தலை திருப்பாதே - Don't turn your head this way and that like a seesaw
  5. அடிமையின் அடிமை போன்றது - Even an enslaved person has their own enslavement
  6. அந்தக் காலத்தில் உழைப்போம் மகிழ்ச்சியில் வாழ்வாது - Let's endure during tough times and not live only in moments of joy
  7. அமைச்சர் அழுகி விட்டால் அவன் அருமையாக விளங்கும் - If a minister falls, their greatness will shine forth
  8. அரசாலும் அரமாக வாழ்வோம் - Let's live like kings
  9. அறுவன் தூளுக்கு அப்பம் கொடுத்தான் - A wise man gave birth to dust
  10. அழுக்காறு அழுக்காறு கொஞ்சம் இருக்கின்றது - Failure comes bit by bit
  11. அழுக்குக்கு அழுக்கு நீட்டமாகக் கொண்டால் கண்ணுக்குள் மலரும் - If you fall repeatedly, it will become a habit
  12. அழுதால் திரும்ப வர வேண்டும் If you fall, you must get back up
  13. அழுதுகொள்ள எல்லாம் ஆறுகளுக்கும் உயிர் கொடுமையானது It takes courage to face challenges
  14. அழுதும் புகுந்தும் பிறக்கும் Fall down, get up, and move forward
  15. அழுவார் அறிவில்லையென்றால் அவன் தான் பழி - The ignorant person is their own enemy
  16. அழுவார் புகழ் பெறுகின்றனர் - The fallen are praised when they rise
  17. அழுவார் மறக்காமல் நின்றால் அவன் நாளை மேலேறும் - If the fallen stand up without forgetting their failures, they will rise higher tomorrow
  18. அவன் முன்போர் வெறும் காரியம் பார்க்க முடியாது - He cannot see beyond his own interests
  19. அவன் வாழ்ந்த நாள் நிறையும் தேதிகள் - His days are numbered
  20. அவனுடைய அருகிலுள்ள கழுதை தன் சின்ன குடும்பத்திற்குப் பின் போய் விடும் - A donkey near him will go home with a small family
  21. அவனுடைய வாழ்வு கடந்து போனதே - His life has passed him by
  22. அவள் மகள் சொல்லியதை விட அகத்து புரிந்தவன் எதுவும் செய்யாதார் - A person who understands the subtleties of what a woman says is capable of anything
  23. ஆராய்ந்து காண வேண்டும் - To see is to believe
  24. இடுக்கண் பகை கல்லாதார் - Enemies don't forget each other
  25. இடுக்கண் மகிமை பகிர்ந்தால் - Enemies share the same glory
  26. இனி தான் முடிவு காணப்போகின்றது - The end is near
  27. இருப்பவர் ஒரு வேளையும் நல்லவன் அல்ல - The person who is always right doesn't exist
  28. உடையார் குழந்தைகளை ஒழிக்கக்கூடாது - One shouldn't abandon their children
  29. உண்மை யாருக்கும் அடிக்காது - Truth does not bow down to anyone
  30. உலகில் உள்ள நாடுகள் மகிழ்ச்சியினால் நலம் பெறுகின்றன The nations of the world prosper through joy
  31. எதிரியை விழுவது நன்மையே Fighting against one's enemies is good
  32. எந்த சுற்றுக்கும் தப்பாது Never give up
  33. எல்லோருக்கும் முன்போர் குறிக்கின்ற நல்ல செயல் Good deeds speak for themselves to everyone
  34. எளிதிலும் பேசாமல் காரியம் செய்வதே பெரிய முடிவு Not speaking carelessly is a great decision
  35. ஏற்க வேண்டியதை ஏற்றி முயற்சி செய்தல் Effort is necessary to achieve what is needed


About Tamil proverbs

Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as well as in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. Tamil proverbs, known as 'Tamil pazhamozhigal' or 'Tamil proverbs and their equivalent English proverbs' are widely used in daily life in Tamil culture. These proverbs are short and concise statements that express a universal truth or common wisdom.

Tamil proverbs have been passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. These proverbs cover a wide range of topics such as life, love, friendship, family, work, and much more. Some proverbs are specific to Tamil culture and reflect its unique traditions and beliefs, while others have parallels in other cultures and languages.



One of the most famous Tamil proverbs is "உலகில் உள்ள நாடுகள் மகிழ்ச்சியினால் நலம் பெறுகின்றன" (The nations of the world prosper through joy), which emphasizes the importance of happiness and positivity for collective progress.

Another well-known Tamil proverb is "உண்மை யாருக்கும் அடிக்காது" (Truth does not bow down to anyone), which stresses the importance of honesty and integrity.


Tamil proverbs are also famous for their metaphors and similes. For instance, the proverb "காக்கு காக்கு விரலின் கனவு" (A crow dreams of sesame seeds) is often used to describe an impossible or unrealistic dream. Similarly, the proverb "மாமன் முன் மணி முடியாது" (The son cannot finish before his father) is often used to express the idea that a person cannot surpass or outdo their elders or predecessors.


Tamil proverbs also reflect the values of Tamil culture. For example, the proverb "உடையார் குழந்தைகளை ஒழிக்கக்கூடாது" (One shouldn't abandon their children) emphasizes the importance of family and parental responsibility.

In conclusion, Tamil proverbs are an important part of Tamil culture, reflecting the wisdom and values of generations of people. These proverbs continue to be used in everyday conversations and are an integral part of Tamil literature and language.


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