Classic Kannada proverbs (gaadegalu)

ಅಡಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದ ಕೂಸು ಮುದ್ದು

aḍige bidda kūsu muddu

A child that has fallen is dearer

Meaning: We become fonder of those who suffer or struggle.

ಹನಿ ಹನಿ ಕೂಡಿದರೆ ಹಳ್ಳ

hani hani kūḍidare haḷḷa

Drop by drop gathered becomes a stream

Meaning: Small consistent efforts add up to something big.

ತಾಯಿಗಿಂತ ಬಂಧು ಇಲ್ಲ, ಉಪ್ಪಿಗಿಂತ ರುಚಿಯಿಲ್ಲ

tāyigiṅta bandhu illa, uppigiṅta ruchiyilla

No relative like mother, no taste like salt

Meaning: Some things in life are simply irreplaceable.

ಕೋತಿ ಕೈಗೆ ಹೂಮಾಲೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಂತೆ

kōti kaige hūmāle koṭṭante

Like giving a flower garland to a monkey

Meaning: Giving something valuable to someone who can't appreciate it.

ಎತ್ತು ಏರಿಗೆಳೆಯಿತು, ಕೋಣ ನೀರಿಗೆಳೆಯಿತು

ettu ērigeḷeyitu, kōṇa nīrigeḷeyitu

The ox pulled to the bank, the buffalo pulled to the water

Meaning: When partners pull in opposite directions, nothing gets done.

ಕಂಡವರ ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ಬಾವಿಗೆ ತಳ್ಳಿ ಆಳ ನೋಡುವುದು

kaṇḍavara makkaḷannu bāvige taḷḷi āḷa nōḍuvudu

Pushing someone else's children into the well to check its depth

Meaning: Risking others to test things you wouldn't risk yourself.

ಆಳಾಗಿ ದುಡಿ, ಅರಸನಾಗಿ ಉಣ್ಣು

āḷāgi duḍi, arasanāgi uṇṇu

Work like a servant, eat like a king

Meaning: Hard work brings comfort — the fruits of effort are sweet.

ಬೆಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಚೆಲ್ಲಾಟ, ಇಲಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಸಂಕಟ

bekkige chellāṭa, ilige prāṇa saṅkaṭa

For the cat it is play, for the mouse it is death

Meaning: What is sport for one is suffering for another — be mindful of others' pain.