Classic Bengali proverbs (probad)

যত গর্জে তত বর্ষে না

jôtô gôrje tôtô bôrṣe nā

It does not rain as much as it thunders

Meaning: Empty vessels make the most noise — big talk, small action.

নাচতে না জানলে উঠোন বাঁকা

nāctê nā jānle uṭhon bā̃kā

If you can't dance, the courtyard is crooked

Meaning: A poor workman blames his tools.

ঝিকে মেরে বউকে শেখানো

jhike mere bouke śekhāno

Beating the maid to teach the daughter-in-law

Meaning: Criticising one person indirectly to send a message to another.

মাছের তেলে মাছ ভাজা

mācher tele māch bhājā

Frying fish in the fish's own oil

Meaning: Using someone's own resources to benefit them — or to harm them.

কান টানলে মাথা আসে

kān ṭānle māthā āse

Pull the ear, the head follows

Meaning: Investigate one part and the whole truth unravels.

যেমন কুকুর তেমন মুগুর

jemôn kukur têmôn mugur

For such a dog, such a stick

Meaning: The cure must match the disease — fight fire with fire.

অতি লোভে তাঁতি নষ্ট

ôti lobhe tā̃ti nôṣṭô

Excess greed ruins the weaver

Meaning: Greed leads to destruction — moderation is wisdom.

হাতি কাদায় পড়লে চামচিকেও লাথি মারে

hāti kādāy pôṛle cāmcike-o lāthi māre

When an elephant falls in the mud, even the bats kick it

Meaning: When the mighty fall, even the weakest add insult to injury.

ঘরপোড়া গরু সিঁদুরে মেঘ দেখলে ডরায়

ghôrpoṛā gôru sĩdure megh dekhle ḍôrāy

A cow whose shed once burned is frightened even by vermilion-red clouds

Meaning: Once bitten, twice shy — a bad experience makes you fear anything that resembles it.

অল্প বিদ্যা ভয়ঙ্করী

ôlpô bidyā bhôyôṅkôrī

A little learning is terrifying

Meaning: Half-knowledge is dangerous — a person who knows a little often causes more harm than one who knows nothing.