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A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs rendered into English

Rochi Ram Gaju Mal

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

A HAND BOOK OF SINDHI PROVERBS With English renderings and equivalent sayings, BY ROCHIRAM GAJUMAL ASSISTANT SINDHI TRANSLATOR TO GOVERNMENT. Published at his own expense BY Mr, Khemchand Shewakram Adwani, HYDERABAD SIND. FOURTH EDITION. 1935 Registered Under Act XXV of 1807 All rights of the publisher reserved PRICE ONE RUPEE ANNAS FOUR (Sanctioned as Text Book) The Hindustan Printing Works, Nicol Road, Karachi.

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

DEDICATION THIS HUMBLE BOOK Is most respectfully dedicated to SIR E. CHARLSE K. OLLIVANT, K.C.I.E.I.C.S. In grateful acknowledgement of his manifold kindness to the author,

ROCHIRAM GAJUMAL

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 1. The need of a book of Sindhi proverbs rendered into English and contrasted with their English equivalents has long been felt and was once prominently brought to notice by a high European Officer, desirous of studying the Sindhi language. Accordingly, I undertook this work in 1892, but owing to press of office work and sudden illness, my progress has been very slow. 2. The present compilation, it must be owned, is by no means, so copious or comprehensive as might be desired. It contains only those proverbs which are most common and generally understood. It is offered in absence of any other adequate work of the kind and is meant to supply an immediate want. Nor does it is any way profess to be free from errors. Defective as it is, it may, however, be found useful by students of Sindhi and may serve as a basis for a more complete work at some future period. 3. It is divided into two parts. Part I embraces those proverbs, of which English equivalent sayings could be found and Part II contains other Sindhi proverbs merely translated into English. 4. I cannot include this preface without offering my sincerest thanks to two friends who do not wish to be mentioned but who assisted me heartily and to J. Sladen Esquire I.C.S. 5. Acknowledgements are also due to Mr. T.C.W. Somerlatt, superintendent, Commissioners Printing Press for special trouble taken by him in connection with this book.

ROCHIRAM GAJUMAL

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

PREFACE TO THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

This book, in hard copy, was printed before partition of Indo Pakistan in 1935 AD and became out of print since then. Hindu-Sindhi writers were eagerly interested in having the printed books, but they migrated to India. Resultantly the copy of any printed version became unavailable in the public as well as in private libraries of Sindh. Mr. Bashir Ahmed Hisbani of Nawabshah having his own private library was in possession of a copy of this book. He handed over its photocopy through Dr. Abdul Razzaq Ghanghro. Few pages of book were missing. Hence it was not possible to compose and prepare the corrected copy of the book, so was not published timely. At last but not least I am thankful to Dr. Muhammad Idris Soomro Al-Sindi who recently founded and purchased the copy of this book from stalls of second hand books at Karachi and gifted to Al-Munaim Library, enabling to reproduce the eBook version for the interested people. I personally typed this eBook version for Al-Munaim Library Larkano.

ENGR. ABDUL WAHAB SAHITO

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

PART I.
The Sindhi Proverbs with translation and contrasted with their English equivalents.

. My father cooked, my brother cooked, but if I did not cook, than nobody cooked. c.f. 1. Pedigree wont call a lame horse. . Who spits against sky, spits in his own face. c.f. 1. Pride goeth before a fall. 2. Who spits against the wind, spits in his own face. 3. He loses many a good bit that striveth his betters. 4. Spit not against heaven, it will fall back in thy face. . . 1. Cudgel for flour. 2. At opposite extremes. c.f. 1. I am speaking of hay and you of horse-corn. 2. I talk of chalk and you of cheese. 3. I ask for a fork and you bring the rake. . The mouse ate the flour, but the beating fell on the calf. c.f. 1. The ox ate the corn and they beat the donkey for it. 2. One doth the scath and another hath the scorn. 3. One doth the blame, another bears the shame. 4. Sat the saddle on the right horse. . Unable to cope with the camel, he kicks the sacks. c.f. 1. Since he cannot be revenged on the ass he falls upon the packsaddle. . Even the removal of a fan, makes a camel burden light. c.f. 1. The last drop makes the cup run over. 2. A little more breaks the horses back. 3. It is the last straw that breaks the camels back. . A camel mumbles, laden or empty. c.f. 1. Pigs grunt about everything and nothing. 2. You are never well, full nor fasting.

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.8. Without the annihilation of self, one cannot enter into heavens. c.f. 1. It is no small conquest to overcome yourself. 2. Fight, but fight only with yourself. 3. Lay self aside or God will lay you aside. 4. No one is mighty, but he that conquest himself. .9. Grind your own cannabis (bhang) so that you may get it intoxicated. c.f. 1. Paddle your own canoe. .01. Today I, tomorrow you. c.f. 1. Today me, tomorrow thee. 2. What is my turn today, may he thine tomorrow. .11. Dont regard the whiteness of the turban, inside it is all rugs. c.f. 1. All is not gold that glitters. 2. Gilded tombs, do worms infold. 3. A clean glove oft hides a dirty hand. 4. A fair face may hide a foul heart. 5. All are not saints that go to church. 6. A saint abroad and devil at home. 7. Judge not according to the appearance (Bible). 8. Whited sepulchers. 9. To clean the outside of the cup platter. 10. Beauty is skin deep. .21. He, who giving up the half, runs after the whole, loses the half also. c.f. 1. Grasp all, lose all. 2. All covert, all lose. 3. Much would have more and lost all. 4. Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance. 5. Quit not certainty for hope. 6. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. .31. It takes a long time to build, but none to pull down. c.f. 1. It is easier to pull down than build. 2. Friendship is not so soon got as lost. .41. He who tries the friend, casts dust into his own face. c.f. 1. Confide not in him who has once deceived you. 2. He that cheats me once, shame for him, he that cheats me twice, shame for me.

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

3. Beware of the stone thou stumbledst at before. 4. It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait. .51. Chastisement by the teacher is improvement for the child. c.f. 1. Spare the rod and spoil the child. 2. Better the child cry, than the father sigh. 3. Woe to the house where children are neglected. .61. It is not honey on Ak (swallow root) that can be removed. c.f. 1. Rome was not built in a day. 2. An oak is not felled with one blow. .71. He expects the Ak (swallow root) to yield mangoes. c.f. 1. Dont expect to find otto of roses in a dog-kennel. 2. Dont expect to find ostrich feathers on a gander. .81. Those who thrust their heads into mortars, how they be afraid of pestles? c.f. 1. He, who would catch fish, must not mind getting wet. 2. Those who play with edged tools must expect to cut themselves. 3. Dont play with bears if you are afraid of being bitten. .91. The beginning is good when the end is good. c.f. 1. All is well that ends well. 2. Praise a fair day at night. .02. Mire in front, and jostling from behind. c.f. 1. Go forward and fall, go backward and mar all. 2. Between the Devil and the deep sea. .12. Enjoy profits by a rise in rates, but not by (false) weights. c.f. 1. It is no sin to take a good price, but to give ill measure. 2. Charge at your pleasure, but give me good measure. 3. Weight right and sell dear. .22. Who fixed the price? He, who could not do without (the article). c.f. Necessity never made a good bargain. .32. Oppressed partly by high price and partly by God. c.f. Misfortunes seldom come single. .42. Coal impounding makes hands black.

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

c.f. They that touch pitch will be defiled. Be in the Mill and expect to have flour on your coat. Sleep in the soot and you will be black. He that deals in dirt will not keep clean hands. .52. God also gives horns discreetly. c.f. 1. Curst crows have curt horns. 2. God arms the armless. 3. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. .62. If a diamond is in the stomach, it shines forth in the face. c.f. A good name keeps its luster in the dark. .72. He does not cleanse his inner man, but washes (sacred) threads. c.f. 1. A saint abroad and a devil at home. 2. Ye, blind guides! which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. .82. Inside plenty of bran, outside a coating of flour. c.f. 1. Appearances are not to be trusted. 2. All that glitters is not gold. .92. When the blind observe fasts, the days also become long. c.f. Sad hours seem long. .03. The blind brought and the dogs licked. c.f. A careless watch bids the thief come in. .13. The blind have been able to find Multan. c.f. Seek and ye shall find. .23. A blind elephant is destructive to (his own masters) troops. c.f. Mettle is dangerous in a blind horse. .33. Man is the abode of the error. c.f. To err is human, to forgive is divine. .43. Even a mother does not suckle her child, unasked. c.f. 1. Spare to speak, spare to speed. 2. Ask and it shall be given. 3. Bashful dogs get little meat. 4. Dumb folks get no lands. .53. 1. 2. 3. 4.

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

Do what may be of use to you on a rainy day. c.f. 1. Lay up something against a rainy day. 2. For a rainy day, lay store away. 3. Make hay while the sun shines. 4. They must hunger in frost that will not work in heat. 5. He, who looks not before, will soon be behind. 6. In fine weather prepare for foul. 7. Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise. 8. Save something for the sore foot. .63. .73. Sacrifice that gold which tears the ears. Those jewels are good for nothing, which endanger life. c.f. 1. Better a tooth out than aching. 2. Batter an empty house than a bad tenant. 3. Omit ornament if it straitens strength. .83. There is no tree which has not been shaken by the wind. c.f. No house without mouse, no rose without thorns. .93. That very hand in milk and that very hand in indigo. (i.e. happy now and unhappy the next moment.) c.f. 1. Change of the fortune is the lot of life. 2. Shadow and shine is life, little Annie, flower and thorn. (Tennyson) .04. Expecting the manger to be full, they did not graze in the jungle, but stood gazing at green grass in the meadows. c.f. 1. Better have an egg today than a hen tomorrow. 2. Quit not certainty for a hope. 3. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. 4. One today is worth two tomorrow. .14. The cries of the poor bring down the wrath of God. c.f. 1. The prayer of the innocent is never unheard. 2. God will grind to powder those who grind the poor. .24. Having is misery, and not having is misery. c.f. 1. Gold, when present, causeth fear, when absent, grief. 2. We cannot do with it or without it. 3. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. (Bible) .34.

[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

If there is money, it is Id; otherwise a fasting day. (Id is a Muhammadan merry-making day) c.f. 1. Waste not, want not. 2. He sups ill who eats all dinner. 3. Willful waste makes woeful want. .44. She came to fetch live coal, and sat down as cook. c.f. 1. Give him an inch and he will take an ell. 2. Give a clown your finger and he will take your whole hand. 3. If a camel once gets his nose into the tent, his whole body will enter. .54. She came for horns, but went back with ears cropped. c.f. 1. Many go out for wool and come home shorn. 2. The camel going to seek horns, lost his ears. 3. Many go out for clothes and come home stripped. 4. Striving to better, oft we mar what is well. .64. Welcome him that comes, bid adieu to him that goes. c.f. welcome the coming, speed the parting guest. .74. A fool speaks, but a wise man ponders. c.f. A fool may give a wise man counsel. .84. One trip and two duties (done). c.f. 1. Kill two birds with one stone. 2. To catch two pigeons with one bean. .94. Health is worth a thousand blessings. c.f. Good health is above wealth.

.05. A wicked dog disgraces his master. c.f. Bad servants wound their masters fame (Gay) .15. . Even the oxen of the fortunate are delivered of calves. Even the oxen of the rich are milked. c.f. 1. Throw him into the Nile and he will come up with fish in his mouth. 2. He would get money in desert. 3. Where be to toss up a penny it would come down a pound. .25.

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No breath in his body and his name is Mr. Mighty. c.f. Great boast, little roast. .35. A great name is a great misery. c.f. 1. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. 2. Climb not too high, lest the fall be greater. 3. High places have their precipices. 4. The great ship has also great dangers. 5. Regal honors have regal cares. .45. Excess brings disgrace. c.f. too much of one thing is good for nothing. .55. Hunger is a dire calamity, it makes the wise insane. c.f. 1. A hungry man, an angry man. 2. Hungry bellies have no ears. .65. In hunger even onions taste sweet. c.f. 1. Hunger is the best sauce. 2. Hunger makes hard bones sweet beans. 3. Hunger makes raw beans relish well. .75. The hungry went to the niggardly, saying; we would have a merry day. c.f. To dine with Duke Humphery. .85. . The eye of the hungry is fixed on the fire-place. To a hungry person even the kitchen appears distant. c.f. hungry men think the cook lazy. .95. The slave has one thing in his mind, the master another. c.f. Man proposes, God disposes. .06. Better beardless than senseless. c.f. Chins without beards are better than heads without brains. .16. Everybody is a friend to a man of standing. c.f. 1. A full purse never lacks friends. 2. He that hath guineas shall soon have cousins. .26. Better forced labor than no employment. c.f. 1. Better work for nothing than be lazy.

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2. Idleness is the greatest prodigality in the world.

.36. Two brothers and the third an (even) reckoning. c.f. 1. Even reckonings keep long friends. 2. Make every bargain clear and plain that none may afterwards complain. 3. Money has no blood relation. .46. Two are twelve. c.f. 1. Union is strength. 2. Three helping each other are as good as six. .56. Two melons cannot be held in one hand. c.f. 1. You cannot serve two masters. 2. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time. 3. Grasp no more than your hand will hold. 4. If you meddle with many things, you will muddle them all. 5. Who hunts two hares at once, catches none. .66. The headman may speak, but who is going to obey. c.f. Glendower- I can call spirits from the watery deep. Hotspur- Why, so can I, and so can any man; but will they come when you do call for them. .76. A Brahman and a goat are a nuisance to the neighborhood. c.f. Kings and bears oft worry their keepers. .86. Priest as well as a vegetable. c.f. (A priest having once been asked his name, replied; Reverend Brenjal. Brenjal being vegetable, the questioner remarked that he was a priest as well as a vegetable.) .96. He demands berries of a babul tree. c.f. 1. Going to a goat house to look for wool. 2. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear. 3. You cannot draw blood from a stone. 4. You cannot gather berries off a whinbush. 5. Look not for musk in a dog kennel. 6. You cannot expect pippins from a crab tree. .07. Even iron from a foundered boat is something. c.f. Of an ill paymaster, get what you can, though it be but a straw.

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.17. The oil is consumed, the wick burns, bravo, oh lamp, bravo. c.f. The blood of the soldier makes the glory of the general. .27. The goat nibbles the tree to which it is tied. c.f. The goat browses where he is tied. .37. .47. Even in dreams a cat sees offal. What one thinks of while awake, one thinks of in sleep. c.f. 1. The wish is father to the thought. 2. We are apt to believe what we wish for. .57. The cat trained the lion, and the lion turned to devour the cat. c.f. 1. I taught you to swim and now you would drown me. 2. Bring up a raven and it picks out your eyes. 3. To nurse a Serpent.

.67. Even walls have ears. c.f. 1. Walls have ears. 2. Little pitchers have long ears. .77. .87. He starves under a ber (jujube tree) full with fruit. Bhagu could find only parched gram in a thriving town. c.f. To starve in a cook-shop. .97. .08. A broken glass can never be made one. One fallen from a roof can be mended but not one fallen from the heart. c.f. 1. Broken eggs can never be mended. 2. Broken friendship may be soldered, but it is never sound. .18. Pull on with the broken until a whole one can be had. c.f. Keep your old shoes until you get new ones. .28. Do good, have good. c.f. 1. One never loses by doing a good turn. 2. God mind, good find. 3. Make others happy, and you will be happy.

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.38. One hand cannot clap. c.f. 1. It makes two to make a quarrel. 2. Two cannot quarrel, if one wont. 3. When two quarrel, theres two in the wrong. .48. .58. A sword-cut may be cured, but never a tongue-cut. A wound caused by a weapon heals, but a wound inflicted by words never. c.f. 1. The tongue is not steel but it cuts. 2. Evil words cut worse than swords. 3. The tongue bites sharper than the teeth. 4. Slander, whose edge is sharper than the sword whose tongue out venoms all the worms of Nile (Cymbeline). .68. A prompt gift is high merit. c.f. 1. He doubles his gift, who gives in time. 2. He gives twice that gives in a trice. .78. A slight neglect entails a hundred hardships. c.f. 1. A little neglect may breed great mischief. 2. A stitch in time saves nine. 3. By timely mending, save much pending. 4. Know your opportunities, opportunities do not wait. 5. An occasion lost, cannot be redeemed. .88. May he never be kind and never angry. c.f. Against Gods wrath, no castle is thunder-proof. .98. .09. Haste resolutions seldom speed well. A hasty bitch brings forth blind puppies. c.f. 1. Hasty resolutions seldom speed well. 2. A hasty man never wants woe. 3. The hasty hand catches frogs for fish. 4. The hasty angler loses the fish. 5. The more haste, the worse speed. .19. Yours is mine, but do not touch mine. c.f. 1. Heads I win, tails you lose.

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2. What is yours mine, and what is mine, is my own. .29. .39. If oil were cheap, jackals would smear their top-knots. If stones were soft, jackals would eat them all. c.f. 1. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. 2. If straws were swords, I would have one by my side. 3. If wishes might prevail, shepherds would be kings. 4. Mere wishes are bony fishes. 5. Wishers and woulders are poor house holders.

.49. A cool jar commands a shady place. c.f. 1. Conciliatory manners command esteem. 2. Good wares make quick markets. 3. Good wine needs no bush. 4. Fair faces need no paint. .59. Small gains yield abundance. c.f. 1. Light gains make a heavy purse. 2. Quick returns and small profits make rich merchants.

.69. A rod for a colt and a nod for an Arab horse. c.f. 1. A word is enough to the wise. 2. The wise with a thick, the foolish with a kick. 3. A nod for a wise man and a rod for a fool.

.79. Even an earthen jar should tested before purchasing. c.f. 1. Never buy pig in a poke. 2. Taste and try before you buy. .89. An elbow struck and friendship broke. c.f. Friends are like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight.

.99. A sins vessel fills and fills until it bursts at last.


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c.f. 1. God stays long but strikes at last. 2. Gods mills grind slow, but grind to powder. 3. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small. . .100

A sinful gain is lost in atonement. c.f. 1. Evil gotten, evil spent. 2. Light come, light go. 3. Ill gotten goods seldom prosper. 4. Badly won is soon wasted. 5. Gain when badly gotten is sure to turn rotten. 6. What comes by the devil shall go back to him. 7. Things ill got, have ever bad success. . .101 Lives himself by begging and purchases horses. c.f. Who spends before he thrives, will starve before thinks. . .102 He does not restrain himself, but admonishes others. c.f. 1. First practice at home, than preach abroad. 2. Practice what you preach. 3. The fair preached against stealing, when he had a pudding in his sleeve. 4. He tells me my way and does not know his own. 5. Physician, heals thyself. . .103 . - .104 . .105 1. He puts off his clothes before seeing water. 2. She has cotton under her arm pit, and congratulates herself upon wearing the gown to be made of it. 3. He counts ears of corn before the germs have shot forth. c.f. 1. Count not your chickens before they are hatched. 2. Catch the bear before you sell his skin. 3. You cry out before you are hurt. 4. Do not share the spoil before you gain the victory. 5. First catch your hare, and then cook it. . .106 Think not lightly of fire and water. c.f. Fire and water are good servants but bad masters. . .107 Whether a son is worthy or worthless, he is known while is in the cradle. c.f. 1. The child is the father of the man. 2. The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day. 3. It early pricks that will be a thorn.

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.108 .109

1. Strike my back, but not my belly. 2. Fill the belly and load the back. c.f. 1. Give me roast meat and beat me with the spit. 2. Take the bit and the buffet with it. . .110 At the expense of other people, wood is softer than cotton. c.f. Many cut broad thongs out of other peoples leather. . .111 Depending on others, is feasting on what sticks to the pot. c.f. 1. Dependence is a poor trade to follow. 2. He that trusts to borrowed ploughs will have his land lie fallow. 3. He that waits for another mans trencher eats many a late dinner. 4. He, who depends on another, dines ill and sups worse. 5. He, who feeds on charity, eats cold victuals. .112 . . .113 1. A fool dances to the beating of (merry) drums at the door of others. 2. Another mans tree, another mans sparrows (why should strangers meddle?) c.f. 1. Fools will be meddling. 2. Pry not into the affairs of others. . .114 Better ones own gruel than anothers plan (dish of meat and rice cooked together.) c.f. 1. Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad. 2. One foot is better than two crutches. . - .115 The sieve says to the coconut ladle, a vaunt of three holed fellow. c.f. 1. The pot calls the kettle black. 2. The shovel mocks the poker. 3. The kiln calls the oven burnt house. 4. Crows have no cause to blame rooks for being black. 5. The frying pan says to the kettle, a vaunt, and black brows. .116 . If reading, swimming, archer and ridding are not learnt in early life, disgrace is the result in advanced age. c.f. 1. It is less painful to learn in youth than to be ignorant in age. 2. Learn a craft while you are young, than you may not have to live by craft when you are old. . .117

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Early body learns, but few become practical. c.f. A handful o commonsense is worth a heap of learning. . .118 (He) cannot read himself, but chastises pupils. c.f. 1. The losing horse blames the saddle. 2. A bad reaper blames the sickle. . .119 . .120 1. No money without sweat. 2. To acquire a cup of gruel, one has to give a cup of blood. c.f. 1. He who little sweats, but little gets. 2. No sweet, without sweat. 3. He, who would have a hare for breakfast, must hunt over-night. .121 . If a dainty like plau at hand, stuff the belly with it, not minding if it bursts. c.f. Better belly burst than good drink or meat lost. . .122 Beggars receive a great share. c.f. A taking hand will never want. .123 . He, who has taken off his own (turban or hat) holds it in the hand, will not be afraid to pull off that of another. c.f. Beware of him who regards not his reputation. . .124 No remedy for ones own doing. c.f. 1. Dont make a rod for your own back. 2. He that seeks danger, perisheth therein un pitied 3. He that cuts himself willfully deserves no salve. 4. If you leap into a well, providence is not bound to fetch you out. . .125 Even a cat is lion at home. c.f. 1. Every dog is valiant at its own door. 2. Every cock fights best on his own dung-hill. 3. Every dog is lion at home. . .126 He can bear a lakh of self-imposed burdens but not a straw cast by another. c.f. A burden, which one chooses is not felt. . .127 . .128 . .129

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. 1. 2. 3. 4.

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Eat your own and praise God. He, who dwells in his own house, does not care for others. Our own is convenient. No provision is a equal to ones own. c.f. 1. Your own legs are better than stiles. 2. On ones own saddle, one rides fast. 3. Dependence is a poor trade to follow. . .131 . .132 1. Ones own face and ones own shoe. 2. Manufactured by the shoe-maker (the shoes) strike in his face. c.f. It is the sport to have the engineer, hoist with his own petard. . .133 If you have to cultivate, do so while there is water about the roots. c.f. 1. Make hay while the sun shines. 2. Strike while the iron is hot. 3. When fortune smiles on thee, take the advantage. . .134 . .135 1. Panja says: first my own belly, children, and the rest afterwards. 2. He is also a ghost who loves others more than himself. c.f. 1. Charity begins at home. 2. Close sits my shirt, but closer my skin. .136 . Even dogs manage to fill their own bellies. c.f. He is unworthy to live, who lives only for himself. . .137 Hanger in the belly and haughtiness in the breast. c.f. Great boast, little roast. . .138 Of faith and Pir (a Muhammadan spiritual guide), which is superior. c.f. 1. Faith unfeigned breeds hope unfailing. 2. Faiths eye sees in the dark. . .139 The Pir (a Muhammadan spiritual guide) cares only for the sound. (A person made a vow to break a coconut at the shrine of a saint, if his desire was gratified. When his object was fulfilled, he broke only a lotus-nut at the shrine, and consoled himself with the thought that, the Pir cared only for sound.) c.f. 1. From gold to nothing, like Mandra bulls offering. 2. To bring a noble to nine pence, and nine pence o nothing. 3. Vows made in storms, are forgotten in calm.

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. .140 Jesus is a pir (guide,) Moses is a pir, but money is a greater pir. c.f. 1. Be it for better or be it for worse, be ruled by him that beareth the purse. 2. Money will do more than my Lords letter. 3. Money makes the mare to go. 4. Money is God of the world. .141 . I dont remember my father married, (yet) I take my grandfather in my lap (as if he were my child) and from out the root of a Pipul tree, I take five berry trees. c.f. 1. The lamb teaching its dam to bleat. 2. Teach your grandmother to suck eggs. 3. Shall goat-lings teach the goose to swim? 4. Teach your father to get children. . .142 In an assembly of elders dwells God. c.f. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

. Strewing salt on a wound. c.f. 1. Adding insult to injury. 2. Never tread on a sore toe. 3. A galled horse will not endure the comb. . The unmanly change and change, the manly stick to one thing. c.f. 1. Inconstancy is the attendant of a week mind. 2. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. . Drop by drop a pond is filled. c.f. 1. Many a mickle makes a muckle. 2. A pin a day, is a groat a year. 3. Drop by drop, the lake is drained. 4. Stone by stone, the mountain is leveled. 5. Feather by feather, the goose is plucked. 6. Little strokes fall great oaks. 7. Pull hair, and hair, and you will make the Carle bald. 8. Step by step the hill will be climbed. 9. One step, and then another, and the longest walk is ended. 10. Water pouring day by day, wears the hardest rocks away. 11. One brick upon another and the highest wall is built. 12. One stitch, and then another, and the longest rent is mended. 13. One flake upon another and the deepest snow is laid. .143

.144

.145

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. He blows in ashes. c.f. He that blows in the dust fills his own eyes.

.146

. .147 Says buildings, construct me (and you will see), says marriage, celebrate me (and you will see). c.f. Building and marriage are great wasters. . .148 . .149 1. The heat is felt where the fire burns. 2. Where there is fire, the house burns, what brunt does the neighbor bear? c.f. 1. None knows where the shoe pinches better than the wearer. 2. None knows the weight of an others burden. .150 . A wise man must fly where he cannot cope with his adversary. c.f. 1. The better part of valor is discretion. 2. One pair of heels is often worth two pairs of hands. . .151 Where there are avaricious people, knaves do not starve. c.f. 1. An easy fool is a knaves tool. . .152 Where there is honey, there are flies. c.f. 1. Where so ever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. . .153 Bee on honey. c.f. 1. Daub yourself with honey, and you will never want flies. . .154 Plenty and discontent go hand in hand. c.f. 1. Much corn, much care. . .155 It will be miry when it rains (not till then). c.f. 1. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 2. Take no thought of the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought of the things of itself. 3. Do not meddle with tomorrows troubles. 4. Let your trouble tarry till its own day comes. . .156

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Donkeys wept when packs were being sewn. c.f. Coming events cast their shadows before. . Welcome that comes. c.f. 1. A man must plough with such oxen as he hath. 2. A contended mind is a continual feast. . Everyone understands his business the best. c.f. 1. Every man to his trade. 2. Let not the cobbler overstep his last. . They, that are wanted here, are also wanted there. c.f. 1. Oh air, the good die young. 2. They die early whom the gods love. . He, that produced no heat while rising, can produce none while setting. c.f. 1. Such a beginning, such an end. . He vomits into the very dish out of which he eats. c.f. 1. It is an ill bird that befouls its nest. 2. Cast no dirt into the well which gives you water. . Let him do the work who knows it, if another does it, he suffers a loss. c.f. 1. Let the cobbler stick to his last. 2. Every man knows his own business best. 3. Let every bird whistle its own tune. . The plant which the seed is bad cannot bear sweet fruit. c.f. 1. A wild goose never laid a tame egg. 2. As the seed, so the plant. . He said, did. c.f. Take the will for the deed. . He who has given life, will also give food. c.f. 1. A God never sends mouths, but he sends meat with them. 2. He that doth the ravens feed, Yea providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age. .

.157

.158

.159

.160

.161

.162

.163

.164

.165

.166

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He profits, who is in the forefront. c.f. First come, first served. . He who simultaneously rides two boats, must expect to get his legs broken. c.f. Between two stools, we come to the ground. . He who would necessarily follow his will, must suffer much woe. c.f. 1. A willful man ever wants woe 2. He who will not bear must feel. 3. Who will not be ruled by the rudder, must be ruled by the rock. . He who sows barley will not reap wheat. c.f. 1. Gather thistles, expect prickles. 2. Sow cockle and it will not yield corn. 3. He who would reap well, must sow well. 4. Sow ill, reap ill. . A heap of barley and donkey its guard. c.f. 1. Trust no fox with the care of young ducks. 2. Do not send a cat to fetch milk. 3. You give the wolf the whether to keep. . He repents who does not take measure before he cuts. c.f. 1. Measure is treasure. 2. Calculate well before you resolve. 3. Do not today what you repent of tomorrow. 4. Who looks not before, falls behind. 5. Measure three times before you cut once. . The weaver, who digs a pit, shall fall into it himself. c.f. He who intended, the maiden, first hamselled It . He who eats sorrow, is eaten by death. c.f. 1. Sorrow and worry wear us more than hard work. 2. Fretting cares, make gray hairs. 3. Care will kill a cat though she has nine lives. . He who yields wins. c.f. 1. Better bend than break. 2. Giving way makes way. 3. Yielding is sometimes the best way of succeeding. 4. Stop to conquer.

.167

.168

.169

.170

.171

.172

.173

.174

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

5. He who yields, wins 6. The first to end a fray is the best I say.

.175

He who does not speak, speaks much. c.f. 1. Silent men like still waters are deep and dangerous. 2. In the coldest flint there is hot fire. . .176 . .177 1. Two and a half, and a half over two, mean the same. 2. Sixty and three score mean the same. c.f. 1. Six of one and a half dozen of the other. 2. It is eight ounces of one and a half a pound of the other. . .178 . .179 . .180 1. As the crow, so are the young ones. 2. As is the donkey, so is the saddle. 3. As is the king, so are the subjects. c.f. 1. A gardener is known by his garden. 2. As the old cock crows, the young cock learns. 3. As the bell is, so is the clapper. 4. As the corn is such will the flour be. 5. As the crow is, so the egg will be. 6. As the seed, so the sprout. 7. Chips of the old block. 8. Like father, like son. 9. Like priest, like people. 10. As the tree, so the fruit. 11. Such master, such man. 12. Like author, like book. 13. Muddy spring, muddy stream. . .181 What friends could afford is ready before friends. c.f. Let them want nothing that may house affords. . .182 . .183 . .184 1. As the company, so the color. 2. Company has its effects. 3. If a black one sits near one of variegated colors, he is certain to change his habits, though the color of his skin may undergo no change. c.f. 1. Tell me the company you keep and I will tell you who you are. 2. Evil communications corrupt good manners. 3. Ill examples are like contagious diseases.

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Tell me with whom thou goest and I will tell thee what thou doest. A good example is a powerful sermon. Bad company is the devils nest. Sleep in the soot, and you will be black. . .185 . .186 . .187 . .188 . .189 1. As the wind blows, so turn your back. 2. As the country, so the dress. 3. In the country of one-legged people, lay up your other leg on your shoulder. 4. Follow his way to whose house you go. 5. Daughter, do as you see done in your mothers house, daughter-in-law do as you see done in your mother-in-laws house. c.f. When you are in Rome, do as they at Rome. . .190 As is Chali, so is Pini. (both being names) c.f. There is small choice in rotten apples. . .191 . .192 1. As the doing, so the reward. 2. As you sow, so shall you reap. c.f. 1. As you measure, so it shall be meted out to you again. 2. As you sow, so you must reap. 3. He that sows iniquity shall reap sorrow. 4. Ill sowers make ill harvest. 5. Gather thistles, expect prickles. 6. As you make your bed, so you lie on it. 7. As you bake, such your cake. 8. As you build, such your house. 9. As you end, such your end. 10. Such as ye give, such shall ye get. . .193 As you wish, so you get. c.f. 1. Evil to him that evil thinks. 2. Harm watch, harm catch. 3. Good mind, good find. 4. Those who do ill, dread ill. 5. Believe well and have well. . .194 Those that bring forth, bring up best. c.f. The hen that laid egg ought to hatch it. . .195 Those who fight must receive wounds.

4. 5. 6. 7.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

c.f. 1. Quarrelsome dogs get dirty coats. 2. Fighting dogs get bleeding ears. 3. Who breeds a quarrel, may bruise his head. . Those win who strike. c.f. The brave deserve the fair. . As many men, so many opinions. c.f. 1. So many men, so many minds. 2. So many skulls, so many schemes. 3. It is hard to get two heads under one hat. . As many fear, so much gratification. c.f. Happy is the man that fearth away. . . 1. The higher the camel, the greater the shaking. 2. The greater the income, the greater the expense. c.f. 1. A great ship needs deep waters. 2. Huge winds blow on high hills. . . 1. Like met like, hear O Raja Vir. 2. A kicker matches a biter. c.f. 1. Diamond cut diamond. 2. A Roland for an Oliver. 3. Tit for tat is fair play. 4. To pay one in his own coin. . The quarrel will be over, before Lalo takes up his stick. c.f. 1. While the grass grows, the steed starves. 2. Procrastination is the thief of time. 3. Now or never. 4. While the cat winkles, the mouse is gone. 5. While the medicine is coming, the man dies. . What money can do, a king cannot. c.f. 1. Love does much, but money does more. 2. Money speaks more powerfully than eloquence. 3. Money is sword that can cut a Gordian knot. 4. Money is the ace of trumps. 5. Money is the only monarch.

.196

.197

.198

.199 .200

.201 .202

.203

.204

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

. . 1. What is in kettle will come into the plate. 2. What is in the well comes into the cistern. c.f. Nothing comes out of the sack, but what was in it. . If the body is all right, the world seems right. c.f. 1. A happy heart makes a blooming visage. 2. Health is wealth.

.205 .206

.207

. .208 He knows not to charm a scorpion and meddles with serpents. c.f. 1. Conquer a dog before you combat a lion. 2. He may ill run that cannot go. 3. Learn to creep before you run. . .209 . .210 1. The bridegrooms party has entered the bridal shed and the brides mother has now commenced spinning. 2. When the wise one begins to remove, the mad one begins to build. c.f. Have not thy cloak to make, when it begins to rain. .211 . No one is a king as soon as born. c.f. 1. Alexander was once a crying babe. 2. Learn to creep before you leap. 3. Cows forgot that they were calves. . .212 Everyone has his own tune. c.f. 1. Every man has his hobby-horse. 2. All birds will not sing the same note. 3. New Lords, new laws.

.213

Prepare to meet, O unadorned! Here comes a disaster. c.f. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir. . .214 Quarrelling should be avoided, but if one has entered a quarrel, he should look upon quarrel as a wreath to be worn round the neck. c.f. Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, bear it that the oppose may beware of these.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

. .215 Calling me aunt and pinches me too. c.f. 1. Many tickle with one hand, to strike with the other. 2. Many lick before they bite. . .216 A mad woman is delighted with even an insulting gesture. c.f. 1. A fool will laugh when he is drowning. 2. A nod from a lord is a breakfast for a fool. . .217 Mad people have worthless children. c.f. 1. Like father have worthless children. 2. Like begets like. . .218 The whims of mad people beget headache. c.f. 1. A fool cannot be foiled. 2. Mad folk are not to be argued with. . .219 A woman got a child which she kissed to death. c.f. The ape claspeth her young so long that at last she killeth them. . .220 A mad man considers everybody mad. c.f. Mad people think others mad. . .221 Care is worse than a functional pyre. c.f. 1. Care will kill a cat though she has nine lives. 2. Sorrow and worry wear us more than hard work. 3. Fretting cares make grey hair. . .222 Favor a fool and he will knock you down in return. c.f. 1. Kindness is lost upon an ungrateful man. 2. A favor ill-placed is a great waste. 3. All is lost that is put in a raven dish. 4. When I have thatched his house, he will throw me down. 5. Save a thief from the gallows and he will be the first to cut your throat. 6. Bring up a raven and it pecks out your eyes. 7. The mad dog bites its master. 8. To do good to the ungrateful is to throw rose-water into the sea. 9. If ye cast pearls before swine, they will return again and rend ye. . .223 Near the hearth, near the heart.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

c.f. 1. Out of sight out of mind. 2. Seldom seen soon forgotten. . A thiefs own action bites him. c.f. 1. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. 2. Suspicion always haunts the guilty. 3. Ill-doers are also ill-deciders. . .225 If not the thief, a miller. This proverb is used when instead of the real offenders an innocent person is punished. c.f. To take the wrong sow by the ear. . .226 Thieves have pick-pockets for their brothers. c.f. 1. Wool sellers know wool buyers. 2. Set a thief to catch a thief. 3. Cats know the ways of cats. . .227 Saying and doing are wide apparent. c.f. 1. Saying and doing are two things. 2. Sooner said than done. 3. It is better to do well than to say well. . .228 Everyone can advise others, but few do as they say. c.f. All commend patience, but none can endure to suffer. .224

. Livelihood (comes) by some means and death on some pretext. c.f. Death always finds an excuse. .229

. Fine clothes and pockets empty. c.f. 1. Great boast, little roast. 2. Great cry, little wool. . The khanship of the Khan became known from the entertainment he gave. c.f. 1. A straw best shows which way the wind blows. 2. You may judge of Hercules by one foot. .231 .230

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.232

Good service is wasted and crimes are taken into account. c.f. The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones. . .233 Spend and eat, God will give.. c.f. 1. Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 2. Spend and God will send. . .234 Murder and Musk cannot remain conceealed. c.f. Murder will out.

. .235 There is something black in the pulse soup. c.f. 1. I smell rat. 2. There is a screw loose somewhere. 3. There is a snake in the grass. . .236 A boy playing with river bank, must drown tomorrow if not today. c.f. 1. Those who play with the edged tools must expect to cut themselves. 2. The pitcher doth not go so often to the water, but it comes broken at last. 3. The fly that playeth with the candle, singeth her wings. . .237 There is no joy without sorrow. c.f. 1. No joy without alloy. 2. No gains without pains. 3. No mill, no meal; no sweat, no sweet. 4. No pain, no palm. 5. No cross, no crown. 6. No rose without a thorn. 7. Sweetest nuts have hardest shells. 8. Labor has a bitter root, but sweet fruit.. 9. He that would eat the kernel, must crack the nut. . .238 . .239 Better a black face than a black heart. c.f. 1. False friends are worse than open enemies. 2. An enemy is better than a deceitful friend. 3. An open rebuke is better than secret hatred. . .240 . .241

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

1. Room is never insufficient, if the hart is not narrow. 2. An unwilling mind does not lack excuses. c.f. 1. Where there is will, there is way. 2. Nothing is impossible to a willing mind, 3. He, who wants to heart a dog, will easily find a stick. 4. There is time enough, where there is will enough. 5. Who wills to fight, will find a weapon. . An interval intervenes and God is kind. c.f. There is luck in leisure. . Delhi is a long way off. c.f. It is a far cry to Lochawe. . (Literally) the belated succeed. c.f. 1. He winneth that waiteth. 2. Everything comes to the man, who can wait. 3. The more haste, the less speed. 4. Patient Waters, are not losers. . . . 1. A great mans pride consists in half a farthing worth of pulse. 2. Empty pocket, great strutting. 3. Does not possess even a bit of salt and her name is Lady Gold. c.f. 1. Great boast, little roast. 2. Great cry and little wool.

.242

.243

.244

.245 .246 .247

. Better be swallowed by earth than forsake religion (duty or virtue). c.f. Do what you ought, come what may. . . . 1. Wealth goes to wealth. 2. Wealth meets wealth with outstretched hands. 3. Fortune hastens fortune. c.f. 1. Penny is pennys brother and likes his company. 2. Unto every one that hath, shall be given. 3. Money begets money. .248 .249 .250 .251

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4. It never rains, but it pours.

. . 1. The stronger is a calf (among men) (Like the Sanskrit phrase, bull among men) 2. The rod of him, who is mighty, has two heads. It turns which way he wills. c.f. Might is right. . - An over-wise crow is caught by both legs. c.f. 1. He, who is too wise, becomes a fool. 2. He who thinks himself cunning is sure to be deceived. 3. Subtlety set a trap and was caught itself. 4. Through being too knowing, the fox lost his tail. 5. A cunning man overreaches no one so much as himself. . A weak animal should commence his journey early. c.f. A lame traveler should get our betimes. . A weak animal is stung by many mosquitoes. c.f. Misfortunes seldom come single. . . 1. Drawn milk cannot re-enter the teats. 2. A plucked beard cannot be had again. c.f. 1. Do not cry over spilt milk. 2. What cannot be cured must be endured. 3. What is done cannot be undone. . Alms-giving arrests evil. c.f. Alms are the golden key that opens the gate of heaven. . . What is given does not decompose, sow a grain and have plenty. c.f. Giving much to the poor, doth increase a mans store. . Paid up is the son of Free. c.f. 1. Out of debt, out of danger, 2. Once paid, never craved. . He who strike his head against mountain, breaks his own head. c.f. 1. An ass that kicketh against the wall, breaks his head. 2. Kick not against the pricks. .

.252 .253

.254

.255

.256

.257 .258

.259

.260

.261

.262

.263

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Give and He will give you and your sprout will grow green. c.f. 1. For good spend and He will send. 2. The hand that gives, gathers. 3. Giving much to the poor doth increase a mans store. 4. What is given to the poor is laid up in heaven.

. A timid Bania loses both principle and interest. c.f. 1. Nothing venture, nothing win. 2. Faint hearts never won a fair lady. 3. Who never tries, wins not the prize. 4. Your cannot catch hares with unwilling hands. .264

. Sending a cries round the town when the child is in ones own arms. c.f. The butcher looked for his knife when he had it in his mouth. .265

. If God is pleased, dust turns into wealth. c.f. When God wills, all winds bring rain. . Before cupping, see if there is blood. c.f. 1. It is no use pumping a dry well. 2. There is poor profit in flaying flints. . Whether food, even ready, would be eaten depends on luck. c.f. There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. . . . 1. Years have passed in playing music before sheep (without any profit to them). 2. Pouring rose-water over a donkey brought disgrace. 3. To a blind man, day and night are alike. c.f. 1. There is no profit in teaching a pig to play the flute. 2. Put not a ring of gold into the snout of the swine. . .268 .267 .266

.269 .270 .271

.272

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If the son of a widow (a mean fellow) is favoured by fortune, he despises juari flour. c.f. 1. Jack in an office is a great man. 2. Set a beggar on horseback he will ride it to the devil.

. If money is in plenty, love is at hand. c.f. 1. A full purse never lacks friends. 2. He that hath guineas shall soon have cousins. .273

. .274 A simple man (but) two fingers atop (above the rest in villainy.) c.f. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. . .275 Tomorrows affairs tomorrow. c.f. Leave tomorrow till tomorrow. . .276 Every goat will be hanged by its own heels. c.f. 1. Every tub must stand on its own bottom. 2. Every herring must hand by its own head. . .277 Everybody calls others what he himself it. c.f. 1. Good sees good and foul sees foul. 2. A thief thinks; every man steals. 3. Rogues reckon all men rascals. 4. Do not measure other peoples coin by your own bushel. .278 . God alone can please all. c.f. 1. He who pleased everybody, died before he was born. 2. You will never please everybody. 3. He that would please all and himself too, undertakes what he cannot do. 4. No piper can please all ears. . .279 Wake not sleeping sorrows. c.f. 1. When sorrow is asleep, wake it not. 2. Do not rip up old sores. 3. Let bygones be bygones. . .280

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A sleeping cat catches no mice. c.f. 1. A close mouth catches no flies. 2. Sleeping dogs catch no hares. . After seven fasts, even a dog is a lawful food. c.f. Necessity knows no law. . . . .282 .283 .284 .281

1. The sun casts two shadows. 2. At one time, a big jar is over a small one: at another time, a small one is over the big. 3. At one time in trouble, at the other moment is sweet embrace. c.f. 1. Change of fortune is the lot of life. 2. Not shine but hath its shade. 3. It cannot always be honey moon. 4. Who falls today, may rise tomorrow. 5. Worldly good is ebb and flood. 6. Today a king, tomorrow nothing. 7. Today married, tomorrow harried. . .285 Has the sun ever been concealed behind the palm of ones hand? c.f. 1. You cannot hide an eel in a sack. 2. A good name keeps its luster in the dark. . .286 The off-spring of the virtuous may turn out vicious, while those of the vicious, virtuous. [Literally, of womb of the whole-limbed, may come the limb-cropped, and of the womb of the limb-cropped, may come the whole-limbed]. c.f. 1. A black hen can lay white eggs. 2. A good cow may have an ill calf. 3. A good goose may have an ill gosling. . .287 If it is truth (you are standing on) go on dancing (free of care). c.f. 1. A clear conscience is a coat of mail. 2. A clear conscience fears no accusation. 3. Tell truth and shame the devil. . .288 The boat of truth may toss, but it never founders. c.f. Truth has always a fast bottom. . .289 Truth is chilies, falsehood molasses, money is the patron saint, and wife the spiritual guide, do as that guide bids you. c.f. 1. It is the truth that makes a man angry.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

2. Truths, like roses, have thrones about them. 3. Money is the God of the world. 4. The grey mare is the better horse. . .290 The boat of the generous ever floats safe (on the waters). c.f. 1. Charity gives itself rich. 2. Alms are the golden key that opens the gate of heavens. . .291 A miser who gives an answer promptly is better than a liberal man. c.f. 1. Bad excuses are worse than none. 2. Ten honest nos are better than one false yes. . .292 With the dry, the wet also burn. c.f. 1. Two dry sticks will kindle a green one. .293 . . .294 . .295 1. Sorrows succeed joys, and joys succeed sorrows. 2. After ascents, come descents; after descents ascents. 3. After fasting days, come Ids (carnival days); and after Ids (carnival), come fasting days. c.f. 1. After a storm, comes a calm. 2. After rain, sun-shine; after sun-shine, rain. 3. After the cup of affliction, comes the cup of consolation. 4. Sadness and gladness succeed each other. . .296 . .297 1. An empty vessel bubbles much. 2. An empty bell makes much sound. c.f. 1. Empty vessel thunders much. 2. Deep rivers move with silent majesty: shallow brooks are noisy. 3. Shallow waters make most din. 4. The leanest pig squeaks most. . .298 Equal seeks equal. c.f. 1. Like draw to like. 2. Birds of a feather flock together. . .299 The world is a great net. c.f. 1. Life is a bubble and full of trouble. 2. Life and misery began together.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

The world is net, the more we stir in it, the more we are entangled. Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upwards. O! How full of briers is the working day world. The web of our life is of mingled yarn, good and ill together. It is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing. . Good company carries across, evil company drowns. c.f. 1. Keep good mens company and you shall be of the number. 2. A rotten apple injures its companions. 3. A good example is a powerful sermon. 4. Ill examples are like contagious disease. . Stretch your legs according to your coverlet. c.f. 1. Cut your coat according to your cloth. 2. Be a little fish, if you have but little water. 3. Make your pudding according to your plums. 4. Willful waste makes woeful want. 5. Ask thy purse what thou shouldst buy. . The foal of an ass will be a foal, notwithstanding thousands of ornaments. c.f. 1. A jack will never make a gentleman. 2. Black stones will never grow white. 3. You cannot wash a black moor white. 4. The leopard will never change his spot. 5. Wash a dog, comb a dog, still a dog is but a dog. 6. An ape is an ape, though dressed in a cape. 7. Ornament an ass, but it does not make him a horse. 8. Crows are none the whiter for washing themselves. . Those that handle thorns must suffer pain. c.f. 1. He that handles thorns shall prick his fingers. 2. If you play with cats, expect to be scratched. . A winter coverlet every one draws to himself. c.f. 1. Every one for himself. 2. Every miller draws water to his own mill.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

.300

.301

.302

.303

.304

. .305 Every man would call a rich man even the husband of his sister, but no one would call a poor man even the brother of his wife. c.f.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

Everyone is kin to the rich man. He that is poor, all his kindred scorn him: he that is rich, all are kin to him. Where wealth, there friends. Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbours. . .306 Thank heartily and grace will be shown unto thee. c.f. 1. A contented mind is a continual feast. 2. Content is the true philosophers stone.

1. 2. 3. 4.

. Their arrow never misses, who have patience for their bow. c.f. Patience is a plaster for all sores. . Wear silk, if you seek economy. c.f. 1. The best is the cheapest. 2. Dear is often cheap and cheap is often dear. 3. Buy the best, things may cost less and be worthless. .307 .308

. Surety-ship causes embarrassment. c.f. 1. Surety for his borrowing friend: 2. Sure tied to trouble without end. 3. The surety is sure to be sued. 4. He that is surety for another is never sure for himself. 5. He that is surety for a stranger, shall smart for it. . It is the devils business to be positive. c.f. 1. Positive men are most often in error. 2. Almost and very nigh save many a lie. 3. Almost was never hanged. .309

.310

. The vessel of avarice never fills. c.f. 1. A covetous man is ever in want. 2. Covetousness is always filling a bottomless vessel. .311

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

. . 1. Love is blind. 2. Love makes no distinction between a good caste and a bad one. c.f. 1. Love is blind. 2. Love rules without law. 3. Love sees no faults. . Oh! My life, without wisdom, you will suffer many pains. c.f. 1. Ignorance is the parent of many miseries. 2. Folly has a fall before it. . Only God is free from defects. c.f. 1. The brightest of all things, the sun, hath its spots. 2. Good Homer sometimes nods. 3. Every bean hath its black. 4. Every path hath its puddle. 5. There is not garden without weeds. 6. Every man hath his weak side. 7. Perfect men and perfect horses nobody ever sees. .312 .313

.314

.315

. . 1. A poor mans wife is ever ones sister-in-law. 2. The bullock that draws well is most whipped. c.f. 1. All lay load on the willing horse. 2. Where the hedge is lowest, commonly men leap over. 3. The willing, horse is always worked to death. .316 .317

. Debt is the worst disease. c.f. 1. While debts I owe, I sink in woe. 2. A man is debt is caught in a net. 3. He that goes aborrowing goes asorrowing. . .

.318

.319 .320

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

1. Fate can never be averted. Even if one weeps all his life. 2. What machinations can avail against destiny. c.f. 1. Theres a divinity that shapes our ends. 2. Rough hew them how we will. 3. There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. 4. Man proposes, God disposes. 5. Death is deaf and hears no denial. 6. Death defies the doctor. . Many dogs bark at kalandars (Mahomedan monks). c.f. 1. The moon does not heed the barking of dogs. 2. Owls hoot but the sun shines on.

.321

. .322 A throat is not to be cut, because the knife is golden. c.f. No need to be cripple, because crutches are cheap. .323 . Whether a knife falls upon a melon or melon upon knife the melon suffers. c.f. The earthen pot must keep clear of the brass kettle. . .324 Black is the face of the dog, (but) gruel is as it was (said in respect of a person who employs base means to harm another but fails in his design). c.f. 1. Slander throw stones at itself. 2. Cheating play never thrives. . .325 To a crow there is sport in confusion. c.f. The devil falls in, when saints fall out. When honest men fall out, rogues come by what is not their own. . .326 A lazy cat is the wife of a rat. c.f. 1. Faint heart never won fair lady. 2. Idleness is parent of want and shame. 3. Idleness in the sepulcher of a living man. 4. Of idleness comes no good. 5. Idleness must thank itself if it goes barefoot. 6. Ungirt, unblessed. . .327 Do not call a one-eyed man, one-eyed. c.f. Why call a spade, a spade. . .328

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He is bitten by a dog and he is beaten with a shoe. c.f. It is hard to suffer wrong and pay for it too. . .329 . .330 What does a dog know of the worth of wheaten bread. What does a donkey know of the value of sweets. c.f. 1. A blind man will not thank you for a looking glass. 2. A pebble and a diamond are alike to a blind man. 3. Blind man is no judge of colours. . .331 A dog is an enemy of his kind. c.f. Two of a trade seldom agree. . .332 You may put a dogs tail in a hubble-hubble pipe for twelve months, still when you draw it out it will remain crooked. c.f. 1. Crooked by nature is never made straight by education. 2. A cracked bell can never sound well. 3. Send a fool to the markets and a fool he will return. . .333 Have the dead ever returned from cremation ground. c.f. What is done, cannot be undone. .- .334 . .335 If an unfortunate person tills land. Either his bullock dies or he sustains loss. You may go to Rome but even there, you are destined to eat only bread and garlic. c.f. 1. He always throws deuceace. 2. He who is born in misfortunes, stumbles as he goes: and though he falls on his back, will fracture his nose. . .336 Brahma himself has not read the book of destiny. c.f. 1. As you measure, so shall it be meted out to you. 2. Such as ye give such shall yet get. 3. As you sow, so you reap. . .337 Do as you would be done by. c.f. Harm set, harm get. .- - .338 A stealer of a straw is a stealer of a lakh. c.f. 1. Who steals a penny will steal a pound. 2. He that will steal an egg will steal an ox. 3. He that will steal a pin, will steal a better thing. 4. The hand which toucheth bran will touch money.

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. Do not make even a straw your enemy. c.f. 1. There is no little enemy. 2. Tread on a worm and it will turn. . Little work and much noise. c.f. 1. Much ado about nothing. 2. Much din and little done.

.339

.340

. .341 We can know the merits and demerits of a man, when we have a business with him. c.f. 1. Judge not a ship as she lies on the stocks. 2. Judge not of a man or things at first sight. . .342 Work teaches work. c.f. Practice makes perfect. . .343 . .344 After the business is done the carpenter is forgotten. After sweet pudding is eaten the leaf (eaten on) is torn. c.f. 1. Eaten bread is soon forgotten. 2. When the dinner is done the spoon is forgotten. 3. When the dinner is done the spoon is forgotten. 4. Danger past, God forgotten. 5. Vows made in storms are forgotten in calms. . .345 . .346 One does, another suffers for the deed. One earns, another enjoys his earnings. c.f. One soweth another reapeth. . .347 .348 . The lies of some are accepted, the trugh-speaking of others is attended with reproof. The loaf of some fetches not the principal, the crumbs of others yield three-fold profit. c.f. 1. One may steal a horse, when another may not look over the hedge. 2. What in the Captain is but a choleric word. 3. Is in the soldier flat blasphemy. . .349 Dirt cannot be washed with dirt. c.f. 1. Evil cannot be conquered by evil. 2. Dirty water cannot wash clean. 3. To be angry with an angry man, makes two angry men.

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4. The devil will not drive out the devil. 5. Cleaning a blot with blotted fingers maketh greater. . He who throws a clod into dirt, will be splashed (with it). c.f. 1. Who strikes at mud, will smear himself. 2. He that blows in the dust fills his eyes. 3. He that toucheth pitch, will be defiled thereby. . In a potters house, there is not found even one whole pot-lid. c.f. 1. The cobblers wife is the worst shod. 2. The tailors wife is worst clad. . A kodi (small shell worth 1/16 of a pie) is unlawful, a bundle is lawful.) c.f. 1. Strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. 2. Some stumble over a stone and leap over a block. 3. He ate the cow and worried on the tail. . Untruth has an untrue end. c.f. 1. Cheating play never thrives. 2. Knavery may serve a turn, but honesty is best in end. . A liar can run at the most to the housetop. c.f. 1. Liars have short wings. 2. A lie has no wings. 3. A liar is sooner caught than a cripple. . Lying knows no economy. c.f. 1. A lie begets a lie, till they come to generation. 2. Lies hunt in packs. . A liars face is blackened. c.f. A lie has no legs. . Vain thoughts produce nothing. c.f. 1. He who runs after a shadow has a wearisome race. 2. Vain thoughts are vagrants and must not be lodged. 3. He that builds castles in the air will soon have no land. . - . - - .

.350

.351

.352

.353

.354

.355

.356

.357

.358 .359 .360

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At what rate do you sell boiled gram? For an equal, quantity of corn. What quantity would you give for, blows from shoes? All in the bag. Man possesses thirty-two faculties, while a show, thirty-six. Take up a show and all will be well with you. c.f. 1. There is no argument like that of the stick. 2. It is the raised stick that makes the doge obey. 3. If you shake the stic, the monkey will dance. . .361 Coals can never be bleached, though a hundred maunds of soap be applied. c.f. 1. You cannot wash the black-a-moor white. 2. What is bred in the bone will come outin the flesh. 3. Nature passes nurtures. . - .362 A mouse found a bit of turmeric and called himself a grocer. c.f. Great boast, little roast. . .363 All can speak, but let someone act. c.f. 1. Talkers are no good doers. 2. Practice what you preach.

. .364

Eating empties even wells. c.f. 1. All taking out and no putting in, soon squanders all our little tin. 2. Always taking out of the meal tub and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom. . .365 . .366 . .367 All right to eat his dinner, but sick for work. A wife at the time of taking her meals but at the time of doing work, a little girl. Absent at the time of service, but present at feast. c.f. 3. Be not fast to feast and loathe to labour. . .368 It is easy to eat but hard to cought (or to disgorge the payment). c.f. 1. Merry is the feast-making till we come to the reckoning. 2. Sweet is the wine but sour is the payment. . .369 . .370 Khatija enjoys the earnings, her daughter bears the blows.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

One does, another suffers. c.f. 1. One doth the scath and another hath the scorn. 2. One doth the blame, another bears the shame. 3. Set the saddle on the right horse. . .371 It is not cooked rice, that can be eaten easily. c.f. 1. Rome was not build in a day. 2. The world was not made in a minute. 3. An oak is not felled with one blow. .! .372 Laugh thou father of victory. c.f. 4. Let them laugh that win. . .373 A touch of safflower dye lasts, at the most, four days (at marriages, clothes so coloured are worn). c.f. Prettiness dies quickly. .374 . You may close the mouths of wells, but not the mouths of men. c.f. 1. Some dog or other will be barking today. 2. Slanderers are best let alone. 3. Calumny will sear virtue itself. . .375 Agriculture requires ones own personal attendance. c.f. 1. he that by the plough would thrive, himself must either hold or drive. 2. The masters presence is the fields profit. 3. The foot of the master is the best manure for his lands.

.376

! The jackal cannot reach the grapes and calls them sour. c.f. Sour grapes, as the fox said, when he could not reach them. . What power has donkey that he will not get into a boat. (The weaker must yield to the wishes of the stronger.) c.f. The weakest must go to the wall. . Recall not the past, what is past is well and good. c.f. 1. Let bygones be bygones. 2. Forgive and forget. 3. Do not rip up old sores.

.377

.378

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

. If God is with us, there is no fear. c.f. If God be with us who will be against us? . No lice, black or white, in the head of the bald. c.f. 1. he that has nothing is frightened at nothing. 2. Little gear, little care. 3. Naught is never in danger.

.379

.380

. .381

Dont magnify a trifle in to a serious matter. c.f. 1. Dont make a mountain of a mole-hill. 2. Make not much of little.

. .382

No kingdom like ones home. c.f. 1. Home is home though ever so homely. 2. Ones own hearth is golds worth. 3. Every bird likes its own nest the best. 4. East, west, home is best. . A pir (saint) in his own house is worth (only) brcks of the hearth. c.f. 1. A prophet is not without honour save in his own country and in his own house. 2. The herbs in his own gardent will not do for medicine. 3. Familiarity breeds contempt. . .384 The dirt of home should be measured at home. c.f. Dirty linen should be washed at home. . .385 A different bell each hour. c.f. 1. No one knows what will happen to him before sunset. 2. Change of fortune is the lot of life. .- .386 A field that belongs to many is eaten away by birds. c.f. .383

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

1. A pot that belongs to many is ill stirred and worse boiled. 2. Every bodys business is no bodys business. . Many hands can move a mountain. c.f. Many hands make light work. . Much wealth much trouble. c.f. 1. Much corn much care. 2. A great fortune is a great slavery. 3. A mans wealth is his enemy. . Too many women mismanage the house, too many men mismanage a plough. c.f. 1. Too many cooks spoil the broth. 2. Many hostlers starve the mare. 3. Many captains, and the ship goes on the rocks. . Much is wanted where already much. c.f. 1. The more one has, the more one wants. 2. Much is expected, where much is given.

.387

.388

.389

.390

. .391

In necessity everything is lawful. c.f. 1. Necessity knows no law. 2. Necessity never made a good bargain. . . A biter is match for a kicker. In dealing with a rogue, be a rogue. c.f. 1. Diamonds cut diamonds. 2. Tit for tat is fair play. 3. Deceiving of a deceiver is no knavery. . Lakhs should be sacrificed to preserve honour. c.f. 1. A good name is better than riches. 2. If I lose mine honour, I lose myself. . The root of a rascal rests on a potsherd. c.f. 1. Cheating will choke you yet. .395 .394 .392 .393

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

2. Cheating play never thrives. . Mother wealth, we bow down before thee. c.f. 1. Wealth makes worship. 2. Wealth is the God of the world. Wealth covers vices. c.f. 1. Money gilds our guilt. 2. Rich men have no faults. 3. A man of wealth is dubbed a man of worth. . Give the load and the carriage of the load too. c.f. I cant work for nothing and find thread. . What is written in the book of fate, must come to pass and can never turn away. c.f. No flying from fate. .399 .398 .396

. -

.397

.400

. Beat like an enemy, feed like a friend. c.f. 1. Love well, whip well. 2. Spare the road and spoil the child. 3. A pet lamb makes a cross ram. . Better leave ready food than company. c.f. 1. Good company on a journey is worth a coach. . . - Bread can secure many workmen and a working man can secure Much bread. If we agree, well and good, if not, there is no lack of pulse and bread. c.f. 1. Good work ought to get good wages. 2. Good Wages ought to get good work. . Man is handful of dust. c.f. 1. Man is a puff of wind and a pile of dust. 2. Dusts are our lives and gilded dust our pride. . . The mother is a low caste woman and the son is puffed up with pride.

.401

.402 .403

.404

.405 .406

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

Radish is the mother, onion is the father, and the daughters name is saffron flower. c.f. 1. Quick returns and small profits make rich merchants. Upstart, a churl and gathered good. 2. And thence did spring his gently blood. . .407 None comes out educated from his mothers womb. c.f. 1. Light gains make a heavy purse. 2. Quick returns and small profits make rich merchants. . .408 Better a fist closed (as a sign of silence), for if I open it, there is neither savour nor salt. c.f. 1. Silence is wisdom, when speaking is folly. . .409 Patience is sweet, and patience is overtaken by disasters. c.f. 1. Patience is the best buckler against all affronts. 2. Patience is a bitter plant, but is has sweet fruit. Licking of moustaches never fills the stomach. c.f. 1. Cheese paring is no saving. . The brave man dies for honour and the coward for bread. c.f. 1. Mean men admire wealth, great men glory. . The Diseases come swift as horsed and go back as lice. c.f. 1. Agues come on horse-back, but go away on foot. 2. Mischief's come by the pound, but go by the ounce. . Death does not inquire for any auspicious time, date or day. c.f. 1. Death keeps no calendar. . . Death for beasts, chase for nobles. The goat thinks of its life and the butcher of meat. c.f. 1. It may be all fun to you, but it is death to the frogs. 2. What is sport to the cat is death to the mouse. 3. The poor suffer misery and the rich enjoy it. . . .410

.411

.412

.413

.414 .415

.416 .417

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

The husband obtains by so many contrivances and the wife wastes all at once. The husband earns a reel, while the wife loses a chisel. c.f. 1. A man can never thrive who has a wasteful wife. . .418 .419 . An old husband for a young wife is like an arrow struck in her side. No use marrying an old man and wasting life for while, wheat crops are being reaped, he would break down. c.f. 1. Crabbed age and youth cannot live together. 2. Grey and green make the worst medley. . .420 The preacher a thief, and the crier his witness. c.f. 1. Ask my companion, if I am a thief. . .421 . .422 . .423 Sweet of face and black within. A priest by appearance, a butcher at heart. Honey in his mouth, and knife in his heart. c.f. 1. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. 2. A fair face may hide a font heart. 3. A saint abroad and a devil at home. 4. Fair without, and foul within. 5. Beads bout the neck and the devil in heart. 6. The cross on his breast and the devil in heart. 7. Sugared words generally prove bitter. 8. Velvet paws hide sharp claws. 9. One may smile and smile and be villain. .- .424 A mild faced woman has her cheeks pulled. c.f. 1. He that makes himself a sheep, shall be eaten by, the wolves. 2. All lay load on the willing horse. . .425 . .426 A cobblers paring knife cuts lawful and unlawful leather equally. A spoon fitting every kettle. c.f. 1. Like harbor's chair, fit for every buttock. . .427 Died Last year, mourned this year. c.f.

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

1. Dont shiver with last winters cold. . Even a Brahman does not read out a dead (or bygone) date. c.f. 1. Let bygones be bygones. . After death let the sun rise if it likes, or never rise for both the worlds. c.f. 1. When I am dead. Everybody dead and the pig too. . After death who are little and who are great. c.f. 1. Death is the grad leveler. 2. Six feet of earth make all man equal. . Slaying the slain in obloquy for the brave. c.f. 1. Dont pour water on a drowned mouse. 2. Dont hand a dead dog. 3. It is a base thing to tread upon a man that is down. 4. Beat not the bones of the burned. . . The nobles baggage consists of two tooth cleaners and one mat. Attendent carry the basket, Lady Saliman is going on pilgrimage. c.f. 1. A rich rogue, two shirts and a rag. . Depart from the fair while it is in full swing. c.f. 1. Leave the court ere the court leaves thee. . Every fruit is sweet in its season. c.f. 1. Everything is good in its season. .428

.429

.430

.431

.432 .433

.434

.435

. .436

If the dog will not see, he will not bark. c.f. 1. What the eye does not see, the heart does not rue. 2. Unseen, unrued. 3. Unminded, Unmoaned. .

.437

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

Neither touch the blanket of another, nor have your own silks torn. c.f. 1. Who says what he likes shall hear what he does not like. . .438 Money were well sacrificed for the preservation of life and lives for the preservation of honour. c.f. 1. Good name in men or women is the immediate jewel of their souls. 2. Life, every man holds dear but the dear man holds honor far more precious than life. 3. A good name is better than riches. . .439 A well known merchant thrives, while a well known thief goes to the gallows. c.f. 1. Give a dog a bad name and hang him. 2. A man is nothing without a name. 3. He that hath an ill name is half hanged. 4. If a mans name is up, he may lie in bed. .440 . None welcomes the poor. c.f. 1. Every poor man is counted a fool. . .441 An idle Bania breaks clods of earth. c.f. 1. Of idleness comes no goodness. 2. Idle men are the devils playmates. 3. Idleness and vice are twin brothers. 4. Idle hands some mischief still, will ever fine to do. . .442 A little child and a moustache hair may be turned at will. c.f. 1. Young people, like soft wax, soon take an impression. 2. Youth and white paper take any impression 3. Bend the twig, bend the tree. 4. Just as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined. . .443 Do not consider it a small thing; it is a lump of venom c.f. 1. No viper so little, but hath its venom. . .444 Allow him to place a nail and he will swallow you entirely. c.f. 1. Give him an inch and he will take an ell. 2. If a camel once gets his nose into the tent, his whole body will enter. 3. Give a clown your finger and he will take your whole hand. 4. Who lets one sit on his shoulders, shall have him presently sit on his head. . .445

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

Why use a knife to cut, what a nail can break? c.f. 1. Take not a musket to kill a butterfly. 2. Send not for a hatchet to break and egg. . .446 Everybody praises the daughter-in-law of others and his [or her] own daughter. c.f. 1. Every potter praises his own pots. 2. Every man thinks his own geese swans. 3. Every cock praises his own broth. 4. The crow thinks her own bird fairest. . .447 The newness of a bride lasts nine days, [Literally]. A new, bride is (such for) nine days. c.f. 1. A wonder lasts nine days. . .448 An indigo spot can be effaced, but not the stain of ill fame. c.f. 1. A wounded reputation is seldom cured. 2. An ill wound may be cured, but not an ill name. . .449 A half-physician is a danger to life. c.f. 1. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

. .450

Mouth is a half physician. c.f. 1. Diet cures more than doctors. 2. The best physicians are Dr. Dist, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. merry-man. 3. Temperance is the best physic. . The month eats and the face blushes. c.f. 1. A bribe I know is a juggling knave. . Everyone has his turn. c.f. 1. Every dog has his day and every man his hour. 2. Fortune nocks one at least at every mans gate. . Bringals cause rheumatism to some and agree well with others. What is one mans meat is another mans position. .

.451

.452

.453

.454

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

A Bania would not sacrifice five but would sacrifice fifty. c.f. 1. Penny wise, pound foolish. 2. never lose a hog for a half penny worth of tar. 3. He spares at the spigot and lets out at the bung hole. . .455 . .456 1Little strength and much irritation, a sign of an impending beating. 2A fretting vessel injures its own brims. c.f. 1. Little pot, d not get hot on the spot. . .457 A thing is not valued so much for itself as for its wrapper. c.f. 1. Fine feathers make fine birds. 2. An ass covered with gold is more respected than a good horse with a packsaddle. .458 . A king to receive and a beggar to pay. c.f. 1. He who likes borrowing dislikes paying. 2. You come of the Mc. Takes but not of the Mc. Gives. . .459 One learns after sustaining a loss. c.f. 1. Cold ovens bake no biscuits. 2. Spears are not made of bulrushes. . .460 If a calf could yield mil, who would keep a buffalo? c.f. 1. Cold ovens bake no biscuits. 2. Spears are not made of bulrushes. . .461 . .462 1Greater wisdom in the elders. 2A camel even when old, is worth two young ones. c.f. 1. Years know more than books. . .463 . .464 . .465 1Which is greater, Baghee or her daughter. 2Which is bigger, the slave or her mistress. 3The bitch itself worth a pie, eats pieces of flesh worth two pice. c.f. 1. The game is not worth the candle. . .466

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

A great mans stools pass for musk. c.f. 1. A great mans foolish sayings pass for wise ones. 2. Great mans vices are accounted sacred. . The young depart before the old and the old before the young. c.f. 1. Death devours lambs as well as sheep. . Those families do not get a good name who trade in wild berries and eat grapes. c.f. 1. Who dainties love, shall beggars prove. 2. He that spends without regard shall want without pity. 3. Who spends before he thrives will starve before he thinks. . He settles on the river bank and yet makes the crocodiles his enemies. c.f. 1. It is hard to sit at Rome and strive with the Pope. 2. Rare footed men should not tread upon the thorns. 3. Those who live in glasshouses never throw stones. . A thing is valued when lost. c.f. 1. The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it. 2. A cow does not know what her tail is worth till she has lost it. 3. Health is never valued till sickness comes. 4. No man knows better what good is than he that has endured evil.

.467

.468

.469

.470

. .471

Derision is the maternal aunt of dissension. c.f. 1. Jesting lies bring serious sorrow. 2. A bitter Jest is a poison of friendship. 3. A jest driven too far brings home hate. . .472 Works with hands and digs pits with feet. c.f. 1. Madge, good cow, gives a good pail of milk and then kicks it down with her foot. . .473 Myrobolan is the bag and sugar cakes in the lap. c.f. 1. After having cried up their wine, they sell us vinegar. . .474

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

A solitary person does not look well whether weeping or beating his breast. c.f. 1. One man, no man. 2. One log does not burn well by itself. 3. Two in distress makes sorrow less. . A certain kind of praise is slanders maternal grandmother. c.f. 1. Faint praise is disparagement. . Poverty on the one hand and pride on the other. c.f. 1. Poor and proud, fie, fie. . . 1One forest cannot contain two lions. 2One scabbard cannot hold two swords. c.f. 1. Heaven cannot support two Suns, nor earth two masters. 2. Two stars move not in one sphere. 3. Two of a trade seldom agree. . Begging on the one hand, and fault-finding on the other. c.f. 1. Beggars must not be choosers. 2. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. . . 1Entered at one ear and went out at the other. 2Struck and rebounded. c.f. 1. In at one ear and out at the other. . To one he says. Your father is dead, to the other he says your mother is dead. c.f. 1. Keep not two tongues in one mouth. . When He closes one, He opens thousand. c.f. 1. If one door shuts, another will open. . The courage of men (carries with it) the help of God. c.f. 1. God helps those who help themselves. 2. Fortune favors the brave. . Strike the daughter and the daughter-in-law will learn.

.475

.476

.477 .478

.479

.480 .481

.482

.483

.484

.485

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

c.f. 1. One example sets many aright. 2. He that chastiseth one, amendeth many. . O heart love me so that I may love you. c.f. 1. Love begets love. 2. A smile for a smile, a blow for a blow. 3. As you give love, so you will have love. 4. One good turn deserves another. . Even the fracture of a leg does not make a man give up his long standing habit. c.f. 1. Use is second nature. 2. The wolf loseth his teeth but not his inclination. .486

.487

. .488

Her lover, an oilman, and yet her hair dirty. c.f. 1. The cobblers is the worst shod. . He is a friend who helps in distress. c.f. 1. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 2. Peril proves, who dearly loves. . Catch hold of one and then claim the other. c.f. 1. Do not drive a second nail till you have clenched the first. .490 .489

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[A Hand Book of Sindhi Proverbs]

PART II.
List of Sindhi proverbs, with English translations. .1. Fathers gifts do not fill, Gods gifts fill. (God alone can satisfy our wants.) .2. My father is satisfied, my mother is satisfied, one half I wear on the upper part of my body, the other half on the lower (So I am also satisfied.) (Used Ironically to signify that what is given is not sufficient for anybody.) .3. Our father is dead and a sister is born, our number is the same. (i.e. we are neither gainers nor losers.) .4. Can the torn sky ever be patched up? (i.e. can a thing which is plainly visible or known to many, remain secret?) (It is an open secret.) .5. Agriculture is the best, commerce thrives but service is mean. .6. A bell following a camel. (i.e. inseparable like the shadow.) .7. Cursed be both the ascending and the descending of the camel. (i.e. your support and opposition are alike injurious.) 8. Can a camels load be borne by a donkey? .9. The camels mouth always smells of jar (a wild plant) (i.e. it can be known what disposition a man possesses. !01. The camels will have a weary way to plod, before Sasui reaches her destination. The proverb signifies, It is a weary and serious journey. .11. The camel and the ant are also cousins of the 8th remove. (Spoken of the relationship of two persons who have no connection with each other.) .21. A self-murderer is the greatest sinner. .31. . His beard is grey (or colored) and his name is sweetheart. .41. The mother of Lending is not dead. (i.e. nothing is lost by lending.) .51. Khabbar khan has no eye and he is asked if he has seen the moon. .61.

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The eye cannot see the moustache, and the moustache cannot see the eye. (Expresses the condition of one, dead drunk.) .71. First food, then work. .81. Fluctuations of prices and the sex of an unborn child are known to God alone. .91. If God wills it, even rubbish is accepted, otherwise precious diamonds are rejected. .02. What God gives man must endure. (What cannot be cured must be endured.) .12. If there is grain (in the store), there is faith (in the heart). (A hungry person loses his faith in the providence of God.) .22. The face of grain is towards the mill. .32. The grain God comes trembling (lest he be treated with disrespect, and not received with thanks.) .42. When the blind (faithless) observe fasts, the days grow long. (Time hangs heavy on their hands.) .52. The blind one is faithless. (Because he cannot verify by ocular evidence, all that he is told.) .62. .72. Mr. one-eyed is a king among the blind. Among cripples, Mr. Lame is a hero. .82. Where there is no tree, a prickly shrub is a lofty plant.) .92. The blind and the guideless are alike. .03. A blind man prays to God for two eyes. (used in respect of a person who wants his desire to be all fully satisfied.) .13. A blind mans wife is in Gods keeping. (i.e. her husband cannot control her movements.) .23. Unjust the city, and mad the king, where vegetables and coconuts are both sold at half Anna per seer.) .33. Aundh and Maundh (members of my father-in-laws family are both one-eyed and our cow is one-eyed. Go and tell papa that I have become one of many. (this message was sent by a oneeyed girl to her father to quiet his fears of her being ill-treated.) .43. Man is an inverted skull. As an inverted skull can never be filled, so man is never satisfied. .53.

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His body naked and his stomach hungry. (used in respect of a person in very strained circumstances.) .63. The cost of spinning and cleaning is all lost, it is raw cotton again, (used in respect of a thing on which, labor and money have been expended fruitlessly.) .73. th If twenty-nine nights are for a thief, the 30 is for a good man (an evil doer is sure to be caught one day.) .83. That shall the weaver weave, which he has in mind. (Said of one on whose will the determination of a thing depends.) 93. O Sumra, daily we bring wild fruits, and daily we consume them. (we live from hand to mouth.) 04. Here is the Goi (a billet of wood sent gyrating through the air with a stick in a play called Iti Dakar) and here the field. (i.e. play your game as you like. You have a wide berth, and plenty of elbow room, do as you choose.) .14. One should act in such a manner the ruby (prize) may be secured and friendship continues, or one should act in such a manner, that the beloved may be found and love continued. .24. I too shall go to my fathers house, and there will be an end to my longing. (i.e. you are now very anxious for this thing, but when you get it, you will see that it is not worth much.) .34. It obtained, it is food, otherwise it is a misfortune averted. (i.e. we shall not mind much, if we get it or not.) 44. When the Mirs came, the Pirs ran away. (When the temporal authority appears, the spiritual leaves, or it expressed that when the chief in any employment appears, the inferior agents withdraw(. .54. Everyone sees the income and no one the out-goings. .64. A Brahmans word is as reliable as the evidence of the Sun-God. .74. Hunger makes one forget his nakedness. .84. Another religious garment commands respect. (It is the hood that makes the monk). .94. All see the external fire but none, the internal. (None knows the unexpressed grief's of others. .05. Drowning oneself is forgotten and strutting about is thought of. (Used of a person who is dead to all sense of shame.) .15. Even a drowned person is found on the 3rd day (said to one who has not put in his appearance for a long time.)

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.25. A deaf person laughs twice. (Once when he sees others laughing and a second time when he under-stands the cause.) .35. He would let a wall fall on another, but not a straw on himself. (shows extreme selfishness.) .45. Run you lunatic, the maniacs are coming. (Used when one displays greater folly than another.) .55. In front of those who run, and behind those who hide themselves. (used of a coward). Hunting with the hounds and running with the horse. .65. A Brahman feels no pity even if his brother die near him. (used in the case of hard-hearted persons.) .75. Better the trouble of a second trip than breaking down under the pressure of a heavy load. .85. In a fully laden boat, a bania is heavy. (For a poor person is never welcomed, or because a bania is sure to have some heavy commodities.) .95. There is nothing but has something superior to it. .06. I swear I shall not carry a sword, so long as God granted me life. (I shall never do the particular thing again). .16. . He demands heaven on the palm of the hand. He wants pomegranates ripened in a day (Expects a thing in an incredibly short time). .26. .36. Go on barking thou dog that I may get sound sleep (say what you will, I shall not listen). .46. Having thrown spittle on the ground, one should not lick it up. (Having once promised, one should not retract.) .56. Pays half an anna for the fetching of live coal. (Is extravagant and indolent.) .66. After having drunk water, it is foolish to enquire about the caste (of its giver) (A Hindu should ascertain before hand) the caste of the person who serves him with food or drink, and not after he has partaken of it.) .76. He has not a pie in his pocket, and he asks (his wife) whether he should buy her a (golden) necklace or a ring. .86.

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Silk even when old is not used for cleaning a corn grinding mill. (A person position even if reduced to poverty would not be expected to perform any mean offices, or do anything derogatory to his rank.) .96. He who enquires, never goes astray. .07. Mrs. Spruce put on gown, and spent all day in shaking, the dirt off it. .17. An old bag and new coins (used in respect of a person who has weak digestion and eats dainties.) .27. O God, give us the property of others. (said of an avaricious person who does not scruple to appropriate the property of others.) .37. When females assemble in the house of a bereaved person, every one of them bemoans in reality her own losses. Women join in the usual death wail and bring tears to their eyes by thinking of their own bereavements.) .47. Old man would you lick the pan? What else have I got to do? (used of aged or idle persons undertaking mean offices.) .57. The pula-fish is better than sweet-pudding. Sweet pudding has no flavour, eat it with knees bent down. (i.e. slowly and heartily. .67. Panju is always short by five. (said of a person whose expenditure is always in excess of his income). .77. The five fingers are not alike. (All men are not alike). .87. Distance is reduced by walking, and debt by paying. .97. He preserves his own, and tastes (uses) others. .08. Bow down even before a donkey, if your interest so requires. .18. None has turned his back, and seen it. (No one know what fate awaits him in the future.) .28. It is no use borrowing, when the house can be managed by begging. (Used in respect of misers.) .38. Mangul was born after many supplications and one-half of him turns out to be anothers. (Used when we cannot freely use a thing obtained after many hardships.) .48. His father used to pound parched rice, his grandfather coriander seeds. Formerly caste was inquired about, but now wealth. (In contracting marriages, people now inquire more about a persons riches than about his family or caste).

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.58. Draws out placenta before parturition. (said of a man who before getting his due from a person has by degrees derived a great deal of profit from him.) .68. One carries away a pot and many are blamed. (Used when for the mischief done by one, many are blamed.) .78. The wretch does not possess that vitality which men should possess. (Shrewish wives say this of their husbands.) .88. Wherever, a neighbourhood, there quarrels. (Among neighbours quarrels often arise.) .98. Where the dead body, there the burial ground. (That is a mans residence is where he is founded.) .09. Sindh is always in danger o fattack from the direction of Kandhar. .19. . The reward of alms-giving id due to the donor. Praise him whose you eat. .29. Carry the nether part of mill, it is heavy, carry the upper part, it is also heavy. (used when a person finds himself in a painful situation to decide a question between two parties, with both of which he is equally connected.) .39. Inquire not the distance to a place where you have not to go. (Dont meddle with what does not concern you.) [say nothing of my debts, unless you mean to pay them.) .49. How can those have sleep, on whose heads lie heavy loads of works? .59. Gambling would be a good trade, if there where no losing in it. .69. Whoever accomplishes a noble object, is Arjun, the favourite of the god Krishna. .79. A Jeweller appreciates best the worth of a jewel. .89. As are the souls so are the prayers. (Used satirically to show the fitness of things, or that two people are well matched.) .99. . As the wall, so the painting As the face, so its adornment. (Every one commands respect according to his own merit or rank.) .001. As much destined, so much eaten. (It is believed that God has allotted to each person a certain total quantity of food, which when he consumes he dies.

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.101. Whichever side he finds stronger, he turns to. .201. What one sows, that shall be reap. .301. What the ghee (clarified butter) does, father and mother cannot do. (Ghee is strengthening and makes one strong.) .401. )( What the yellow orpiment does. God does not. (Yellow orpiment is a very strengthening position.) Even god cannot do what yellow orpiment does. .501. What is within passes into the mind and body. Whatever one has smelt, enters his mind. (Whatever impressions a person receives govern his mind and actions. .601. Whatever lies in a mans destiny pours itself into his turban. One gets only what he is destined to receive. .701. When alive, worth a lakh, when dead worth a straw. .801. If a boor acquires education, he is a nuisance to God. (If a mean person receives education or acquires influence, he is a nuisance to many people.) .901. All the life of a boor is hardly worth one night of a refined person. ( A boor must spend all his life to accomplish what a man of sense can do in one night; or what a man of refined tastes spends in only one night, will last a boor all his life.) .011. Two and a half blankets make up the life of a boor. A boor measures his life by the wear of two blankets and a half. .111. Trust not a Jat (a boor), if you trust him you come to grief. .211. A rustic woman wetted cotton-heart and went to sell it to a bania. The bania used false weights. The woman thought she had deceived the Bania, while the Bania thought he had deceived the woman, but really the woman suffered. (Cheating a cheat). .311. The money paid for old clothes and old cattle is as it were stolen by a thief. .411. A miller having lost his bullock, walked about the mill in search of it. (Used in respect of lazy and stupid people). .511. A mad woman wears a bangle sometimes on the arm and sometimes on the leg. (Used in respect of fickle minded people.) .611. A mad person is teased, in order that he may abuse as.

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.711. How do you do Mr. Mad? Progressing every moment. (Used when a person speaks or acts more and more foolishly day by day.) .811. Are mad people ever left to themselves. 911. ) (. One vachan (silly foolish woman) is worth four mad men. Hear what vachan did. She took a rope to fetch dried dung cakes, and said to the cakes, if you wish to be tied, well and good, otherwise do not be tied forever.) 021. What wisdom can be expected from mad persons and what work from dead person? .121. Those are noble whose descendents are noble. (Children by their conduct raise or lower their parents in public estimation). .221. You must count and strike four shoes on the head of kindness. (Said angrily by one who had received evil in return for good.) .321. Those that have good luck written in their destiny witness no evil. Even if they live in a wilderness they get mild and sugar. .421. Good proceeds from the good, and evil from the evil. .521. .621. He would rather part with his skin than with a pie. He would rather risk his head than risk a kodi a shell used as a coin. (This shows extreme niggardliness.) .721. At first only a piece of cloth to the moon, afterwards a whole turban. (On the new moon day, the Hindus immediately on seeing the moon throw in its direction a bit of thread torn from their dress, as an offering. If this offering is delayed, the sacrifice of even a whole turban afterwards is not considered equally meritorious. The proverb implies that a slight favor in time is more meritorious than hundreds of favors shown out of time.) .821. A gram, swelling will not fill a frying-pan. (An insignificant thing cannot serve the purpose of agreat thing e.g., a few piee would not make up a deficit of a thousand rupees. .921. A thiefs mother weeps in a corner. (Because she can not scold her son openly.) .031. Peacocks came upon the thieves and took away half the stolen property. A story goes that a thief had among other things stolen a gold necklace which a peacock swallowed. (The proverb is used, when one person obtains a thing by unfair means, and another deprives him of it either wholly or partly. .131.

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The hanging shelf got broken fro the benefit of the cat. People in Sindh keep fish, meat & c. on a hanging shelf made of rope, to prevent the encroachments of cats. (The proverb is used , when such circumstances happen as enable a person to derive that benefit at the expense of others for which he has been longing.) .231. Boys are a rampant lot. They duzz way obstreperously, even devotional meetings. .331. The disputations are accursed Those fond of arguments delighting in making the worse appear the better reason and indulge in hair splitting distinctions are accursed. .431. A barber and a razor; and not even a single lock of hair will be spared. (Used to threaten a person with disgrace.) .531. Pulse and bread never fail. Frugal men are seldom reduced to poverty. .631. Is any abdomen secret from the midwife? (Applied to one who tries to conceal things from a person who already knows them.) .731. Possesses only pulse of Pulao (a dainty dish). (Great boast, little roast). .831. Stealing in ones own country, begging in a foreign land. (In a foreign land one is not ashamed to beg, but in one own country, if a man has not means to live, he would rather commit thefts than beg). .931. Without master, the flock is destitute (un protected) and without a flock, a herdsman is destitute. .041. A thief entered the house of a washerman. He did not suffer, but others did. (The clothes belonged to, others.) .141. There is no claimin equality with the mighty One. Put a cloth round your neck and take to sappliance. (There is no resisting the pleasure of God). .241. Beard is a gift of God. Some get it early and some late. (Used by a person reproached as being beardless.) .341. Forget the seen, and remember the unseen (Think of God and the next world.) .441. None swallows a fly knowingly. (Non pursues a course after he knows that it is harmful,) .541. If you give not, injure not. (If you cannot be charitable, do not, at least, cause pain by harsh language. .641. Better a blind eye than a blind fate. (Better to be ugly than to be unfortunate.) .741.

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Even a witch passes over the tenth house. (Without molesting the in mates.) .841. One and a half, and two and a half make half over two (Extreme stupidity). .941. (.) My husbands younger brothers wife and his elder brothers wife are my enemies to the bitter end.) .051. The custom of the country and the religious observances of the family (One must follow). .151. During the day (one is) lion. (During daytime (one is) a lion. During daytime, oen is not afraid of a thief, an evil spirit & c.) .251. Diwali all over the country, Holi in Harachands house. (He acts quite countrarily to what other people do.) .351. Far from the continent, away from the country. (Beyond reach; at a great distance). .451. Fear him who abuses you from the opposite bank. (Because you cannot catch or punish him). .551. Fear him who turns and twists his words much. (Fear him whose language is ambiguous.) .651. The buffalo and the Bhabra alone can contain their fullness. (The Bhabras are a caste of Hindus who never make a show of their wealth.) .751. A short night and many ceremonies. (Said by a bridegroom on the first night of his marriage. (Used not when a person has to do many things in a short time.) .851. At night do what you will. (At night one has leisure and may betake himself to what he likes). .951. The Rajas alms and the subjects ablutions. (At a place of pilgrimage, both are equally efficacious. Each is to perform acts of piety according as he is able.) .061. No scarcity of pearls in a Rajas house. (Plenty of everything in its proper place). .161. What the King does, is justice. (Because there can be no appeal against his decision). As the die is caste so is the game. .261. She is the queen whom the king likes. .361. She is in sulks with her husband and does not speak with the village. (Has quarreled with one and is angry with all). .461. Wife not meeting the husband. (Completely dispersed). .561.

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A worthless woman having tasted dainties (on a Sunday) observes Sundays. (Used of persons who repeat an act from which they have once accidentally or by mean artifices derived some good). .661. If the woman is held the load is lost, if the load is held then the woman is lost. If the woman is caught the ass with the load runs away and if the load is got then the woman runs away. .761. She is drowned at Sukkur and a net is spread at Bukkur (where the current is not likely to take her). Shows the stupidity of the searchers. .861. Women are the food of women. (Women requires the company of women.) .961. Woman, land and money are all three houses of death? (Are the causes of many murders). .071. Even lions love their wives brothers. .171. Nobody bears to see another prosperity; and nobody gives (bread) to the hungry. (Shows the ungenerous disposition of man). .271. Everyone advertises his own stall. (Everyone makes a display of what he possesses.) .371. If a Sati returns from the funeral pyre, she becomes the food of dogs. (If a man undertakes to do anything noble, and afterwards recoils from it he is despised). .471. Not that the thread is entangled, but that the cotton is entangled. (There is no difficulty and still he is thoroughly perplexed). 571. The serpent does not kill, but the dread of the serpent kills. (People suffer more from fright, than from actual injury. .671. After sunset it is not late. .771. After being robbed, there is no fear. .871. If a friend offers the whole arm, one must not devour it entirely. (If friend shows readiness to make any sacrifice for our sake, we should not take advantage of his good nature). .971. Daughters of the niggardly (or the destitute) can boast with no good graces. (Because their parents give nothing to their husbands families.) .081. Better to lose ones head than to disclose a secret. .181. Every head has its own light. (Every one possesses some special excellence). .281.

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Every one puts on antimony, but the difference lies in the eyes. (Used when person of different capabilities do the same thing with different results. .381. The trunk speaks before the head. (Used of an officious person who speaks before the person really concerned does.) .481. Giving a blessing only with the mouth (but not with the heart) amounts to cursing. .581. Those are really relations whose houses are near. .681. Twilight is tiresome. (A journey undertaken at about sunset proves tedious). .781. The fish-seller feels pain, and his donkey is branded. (One made to suffer for another). .881. One blow of blacksmith is equal to a hundred of a goldsmith. Used in making comparison between the work of two men differing widely in their abilities. .981. Gold even after a century fetches a quarter over and above the cost price. A good does not diminish in value by lapse of time. .091. The hare has three legs and never four. (Used when a person denies a thing totally, and can by no means be induced to speak the truth. It is said that a cook was asked to roast a hare and feeling hungry, he ate one of its legs. When questioned by his master about the fourth leg, he said that the hare had three legs and not four. .191. The parents of husband and wife are generally inimical. (On account of disputes about dowry, presents, & c.) .291. A needle will itself move thread to itself. (Time and circumstances will themselves bring about the desired result.) .391. The look of a devil and the face of a monkey. (Spoken of an ugly wicked person). 491. She went at day-break and returned at sunset and then asked, sister dear! Am I late? (Used when a person stays away from home for a long time and then unblushingly offers no apology.) .591. Fighting with cudgels is fair play. (Opposition in open straight forward manner is fair). .691. This is no love, but an infliction. Used when an object supposed to be productive of happiness proves burdensome.) .791. He has no sense and has allowed hair on the back part of his head to grow (to look like a dandy). (Used of persons devoid of sense.) .891.

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The most that Umar could do, would be to seize Marui; He would not lay waste the Thar. Umar, a Sindhi chief having seized a lovely woman Marui refused to let her go back to her relations. It was proper for the relations of the girl to entreat him for her restoration, because their was no apprehension that, on that account, their country Thar, would be laid waste. (The proverb means that if any difficult overtakes us, we should try to overcome it provided our doing so, is not attended with any worse results. .991. Let the Kazi (Muhammadan law-officer) and the day of Judgment settle with each other. (i.e Why should we think of future pains and punishments.) Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. .002. The wood consumed the carpenter free. (Used when the cause of trouble is removed.) .102. Every price of wood has its peculiar fortune. Everyone has his own luck. (There is providence in the fall of sparrow). .202. I bow down before you, my one-eyed lord. (Answer), This, good sir! is a way to pick up a quarrel. .302. In one-eyed girls marriage, there are many impediments. (Misfortunes never come single.) .402. The dog was eaten, yet the stomach was not filled. (to gain the object, most disgusting or unlawful means were used but no advantage was derived.) .502. A dog is an enemy of his own race. (Used of a person who does harm to his own relations or class fellows.) .602. The dogs ears have been cut. (He has been so severely punished that he is not likely to do the like again.) .702. In some places thieves are neglected, in others castles. In some places the former being free, carry on their depredations at will, in others, the latter starve. (The proverb is used when undue favor is shown to one and undue strictness to another.) .802. If the borders [of unearthed vessel] are not turned before it is burnt [in a kiln], they cannot be turned after burning. [Youth is the proper time for acquiring education or learning good manners.] .902. If I speak my moustaches are pulled so silence is sweet. .012. Turn the cock out of the Daira (Musulman monastery). Turn out what is a source of mischief or give up your unlawful gains. .112. Under a straw lies a lakh. (What sometimes looks worthless is really invaluable. .212. The Kaliage is a hand-age. In the Kaliage one receives immediately the fruit of his actions.

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.312. Spend less, and sit high. (Used when a very great advantage is derived in proportion to the money spent.) .412. Work teaches work. (When we actually engage in some work, we learn how to do it.) C.f. Practice makes perfect. .512. Whispers brought about the death of Mir Bijar. (Mir Bijar ruler of Sindh was murdered at the instigation of his relations by ambassadors from Jodhpur, who said they had brought him good tidings which they must deliver to him personally and in private. Although forewarned, he impudently gave them a private interview and in the midst of protestations of friendship, he was murdered. The proverb means, secret consultations produce mischief.) .612. A diseased finger had better be cut. (One had better put an end to matter which is likely to end unpleasantly.) .712. The fewer children, a foul woman has the better. (Any diminution in what is unpleasant is welcome.) .812. Take out the wheat and burn the chaff. (Out of anything presented to you appropriate what is useful, and throw away what is of little value.) .912. A new earthen jar converts (the solid ground on which it is kept) into salt earth (by the water oozing out of the pores). It means inexperience people spoil the business entrusted to them. .022. Weaver, ply the shuttle, so that there may be no uneven massing. (i.e. that the whole piece may be even in thickness. Unless a person labors hard, he cannot do anything satisfactorily.) .122. Falsehood cuts life short. .222. A leprous dog will not cease scratching. (A mischievous person will never refrain from doing mischief.) .322. On this side of the mortar or that. (Resorting to extreme measures, which would either make or mar ones fortune completely To mend or end.) .422. Partly the string is awry and partly the borer. Truth lies midway, and both parties often are in the wrong.) .522. She was already offended (and she got a call from her fathers house, so she left her husbands house). (Used when we are already inclined to do a thing and a facilitating circumstances happens.) .622. The food may belong to others, but not the stomach. (Used when a person eats greedily at an entertainment given by another.) .722.

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Seeing is better than eating. (The delight derived from viewing beautiful objects is greater than that derived from eating dainties.) .822. Rice burnt, and dishes upside down. (Used to express extreme poverty). .922. He removes not even the burnt parts of his bread. (He is very miserly.) .032. An insolvent Bania scrutinizes his accounts (in the hope of finding something due to him.) .132. While delighting over the profit, one forgets the principal. (Used when a person elated by success in a small matter, grows unmindful of his important affairs.) .232. The Khan (my lord) has returned victorious with his back bare. Used jestingly, [when a person, through his folly, instead of gaining anything loses all that he has.] .332. She lives on the earning of her husband, and says May, my father live long! ( a young wife is ashamed to say that she has received anything from her husband. What she gets from him, she declares she has received from her father. The proverb is used when one receives credit for the goodness of another.) .432. I am ready to forego all profit, let not the principal be lost, (Used when instead of improving our condition, we are in danger of faring worse.) .532. At times a devil, at others a saint. (Extreme change in temper.) .632. If a jackal does not respond to the call of another jackal, he becomes a leper. (Jackals hunt in packs) Used when the persons of one and the same class assist one another, not minding whether in what they assist is fair or foul.) .732. He makes a donkey wear a bodice. (Adorns a worthless object.) .832. It is folly to sprinkle rose-water over a donkey. .932. A Kachri. (Vegetable slice dried or fried) with each mouthful, (i.e. an impediment at each step.) .042. A bald man will not cease scratching. (A mischievous fellow is sure to make mischief.) .142. . Mad as to both dress and food. (Totally mad) .242. Domestic discontent dries even the water contained in earthen pitchers. (Ruin a family). .342. Talking for talking, but silk border-work for two pice. [If we want to get anything, we must not simply ask a person to bring it for us, but must pay its price). .442.

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Molasses and its bag know each other. (i.e. Those who are immediately concerned know a thing best). .542. When an iguana is doomed to destruction, it seeks the houses of hunters. (Used when a weak person tries to pick up a quarrel with one stronger than himself.) .642. It there is a depression in the house, why should dust be thrown outside? (If you have yourself a use for a thing however trifling, you should not throw it away.) .742. At home or abroad, one has to eat his own. .842. The more one eats, the more hungry one feels (reed grows all the keener by satisfaction.) .942. The mother of a bridge-grooms best man in is greater haste than the bride-grooms mother. (Used when a person is more anxious for the accomplishment of a thing than those who are directly interested in it). .052. If the bride-groom and the bride agree, what can the Kazi do? (When the parties concerned agree, what can other people do? .152. Show both a rod and a food-vessel. (At times be lenient, at others, harsh.) .252. Modesty gone on pilgrimage to Lal (Uderos shrine) and shame hunting. (spoken of a person of a person dead to all sense of shame and honor.) .352. Rascality is sovereignty. Rascals generally carry the day for a time.) .452. When wealth forsakes, (us) good manners also forsake. .552. He does not know to read and write but is clever in drafting. (Used in respect of uneducated people who pretend to be learned.) .652. The writer has written and God will read it. (No one can decipher his writing.) .752. Live embers are the lot of blacksmiths legs. .852. If it strikes, it is an arrow, otherwise a mere arrow head, (if we gain our object, well and good, if we fail, it is a matter of no consequence.) .952. If a drummer (low caste) put of his blanket, what can anyone do to him? (A person who has no sense of honor is afraid of nobody.) .062. Beating puts even demons to flight. (When a person is possessed with a devil, he is severely beaten in order to restore him to himself.) .162.

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Subdue, if you will, a Meer, why oppress an attendant? If you wish to make yourself famous, bring some important person under your control.) .262. The preserver is stronger than the destroyer. (God protects us from many more dangers than he exposes us.) .362. Better to be praised than to be smitten. (As success is never certain, it is wise to yield to the entreaties of antagonists.) .462. The fellow is under the thumb of his mother, and his sister has brought about a family disruption. (Used of persons who being under the influence of their blood relations, discard their wives.) .562. Value according to the quality of the article and fare according to the distance. .662. The mother thinks her son is gone to make money, but he is hung up at Bindraban. (Used when a person is idling away his time, while his relations think he is profitably employed.) .762. A mother may bear sons, all robust. Everyone can turn wilderness into fertile land, but the credit lies in laying waste a fertile field. (Used ironically of prodigal sons.) .862. A mother gives birth to sons, but she cannot divide luck equally among them. (Luck or ill luck proceeds from God.) .962. The plaintiff is slow, but his witness is active. (Used when an unconcerned person takes more interested in affairs than a person concerned.) .072. The husbands earning and the wifes care. (are both necessary for the prosperity of a family). .172. I would rather die than eat Dubh grass, (Said of a proud horse originally. (t now means, I shall never stoop to do what is below my dignity.) .272. May not the herdsman die, and leave his herd orphaned. (Used in mourning when a paterfamilias dies.) .372. Liquor obtained without payment is lawful even to a Kazi (A Mahomadan Judge). .472. A headman is unhappy at home. (He has so many calls to attend to, that he cannot rest at home. .572. When betrothed, he is entangled, when married he is in stocks. Silence, people! Man and money are both lost (Marriage deprives people of their freedom. Mother in-law sometimes in this way taunt their daughters in-law who are much loved by their husbands.) .672. A mula (a Mahamedan preacher) fights with his mosque (Used in respect of persons quarreling with members of the family).

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.772. A peacock is in itself good, but its feet are crooked. .872. Interest is dearer than principal. .972. Even the principal is not available and the priest wants his fortieth share. .082. God! Send down rain, that (we) lazy people may get a respite from work. (The laggards prayer). .182. We shall enjoy sweets whether the lord dies or the lady dies. (Used of persons to whom success or failure of either party or change of circumstances is a matter of indifference.) .282. A lamp for the dead is kept lighted for ten days only (then the deceased is no more thought of). .382. To sing a pleasure song in time of grief or to sing in the evening. To sing a mournful song in a marriage feast. To do something inappropriately. .482. The lord himself goes out well adorned, while the ladys condition is wretched. (Said when a person quite un-mindful of the comforts of his family and spends all his money in procuring himself enjoyments). .582. The rain pours for six hours but the shed keeps dripping for 18 hours. (Protection worse than not protection). .682. Any one may possess a buffalo, but credit lies in the good keeping of it. (There is no credit in simply possessing a thing, one ought to be able to take good care of it.) .782. When a herdsman has severed his connection with the buffaloes, why recommend calves to him? .882. Nothing to pay to Udhava and nothing to receive from Madhava. (I am quite free and entirely unconcerned). .982. Our relations on the mothers side have removed, leaving behind a furious bitch. (The good have gone away, and the wicked have remained behind.) .092. The maternal grandmother has to cook, and her grand-children have to dine. (Used when a person is benefited on account of some connections with one in power, or used when maternal grand-mothers property.) .192. Money lies in lions ears. Shows how difficult it is to secure money. .292.

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When we pay a high rate. Why should we accept ghee made from goats milk i.e. inferior ghee (inferior stuff). .392. Money should be counted nine times. (Count carefully when you give or receive money). .492. That is ones money which is in the pocket, that is a religious exercise which one has by heart. (Money deposited with others may not be had when required, so a person who has not prayers, hymns & c. by heart, may not pay and sing when he has not his books by him). .592. After a girl has commenced dancing in public, why should she draw a veil over her face? (After a person has openly taken steps against another, he should not proceed timidly for fear of offending him). .692. Ownerless horsed, will have strangers to ride them. (Property which has no owner, or which the owner himself has neglected, is used recklessly by others). .792. Neither oil-cake, nor oil (altogether useless). .892. The current of the stream is strong, but the molasses are also sweet. (Used when the risk and the hope of profit are both great). .992. Mouths pilan knows no limit of ghee. Wranglers never want words. .003. Twelve in the vegetable field, eighteen at stall and twenty four at home. (A person went to a vegetable field to buy brinjals. There he could get only 21 per pice. He then come to the bazaar where he was told that he could get eighteen for a pice. When he returned home, an itinerant dealer offered to give him twenty-four for the same amount, hence the proverb. It now implies that a thing costs less, if brought for sale than the amount we would have to pay, if we went to buy it). .103. A bania quarrels with his rations. (Used of men who take coarse and insufficient food to save money or of men who being angry with their relations, refuse to take food.) .203. The nobler a family, the greater the age of their (unmarried) daughters. (Because they cannot easily procure suitable matches). .303. A woman should eat from the earnings of her husband, but not in his presence. (In India, through bashfulness, women do not eat in the presence of their husbands.) .403. The lions fight, and bushes are trampled upon. Poor people often suffer on account of disagreement between big people. .503. In front of those who fight and in the rear of those who fly. (Trying to please both parties). .603. Sharing food or money) with others, confers happiness. Eating in concealment brings on disgrace, (Advice given to people to share the good things they possess with their friends, relations &c.)

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.703. The stream is nowhere and Dalu is enquiring about the lady. (King Dalurao, having heard of the exquisite beauty of a girl sailing over the Indus near his capital, ordered that she should be brought to him to satisfy his beastly desires, The girl in anguish prayed to the river-deity and the stream, having changed its course, flowed far away from the capital. Thus was her chastity preserved. Dalurao who was repeatedly asking his servants for the girl, was told that as there was no river, how could he expect a boat or a damsel? (Used in respect of persons who base their hopes on things which have ceased to exist.) .803. The elephant has one set of teeth for grinding and another for show (Used in respect of double faced people). .903. Youths of this age are like sheaths of knives. They push back others, but fall themselves. (Shows the bodily weakness of the men of present generation). .013. He has hollow bones and raises a great cry. (He is possessed, at present of little wealth or influence and is considered rich or great on account of former glory.) .113. Remember God, and do not look into the ins and outs of anything. (On close enquiry some defect will be found in everything). .213. The antelope was already frolicsome, and a bell was fastened to it. (Used when a person has certain propensities naturally, and circumstances happen which aggravate them.) .313. On the one hand our purse has suffered, on the other people are deriding us. .413. On cup is filled with milk, God will fill the other also. One wish is gratified, God will gratify the other also.) .513. Poverty on one side and misbehavior on the other. (Used of a penniless person misdemeaning himself. .613. His one grain and a half of rice, is cooked at a great distance. (He is extremely vain and proud.) .713. Jest in the proper place. .813. What is merely the art of the skilled (workmen) means (loss of) life to the unskillful. (If the unskilled meddle with an art, they lose their life.) .913. Better a heated heel, than a heated heart. (Better to kick than to feel a heart-burning against another. .023. He who strikes not the weak, suffers in his hands. (Used ironically in respect of persons who oppress the weak).

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PART II. FINISHED.

Printed by Mr. Hiranand Karamchand at the Hidustan Printing works, Nicol Road, Karachi and published by Mr. Karamchand Shewakram Advani.

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