Classic Punjabi proverbs (akhaan)

ਡਿੱਗੀ ਖੋਤੇ ਤੋਂ, ਗੁੱਸਾ ਘੁਮਿਆਰ 'ਤੇ

ḍiggī khōtē tōṁ, gussā ghumiār 'tē

She fell off the donkey, but got angry at the potter

Meaning: Taking out your frustration on someone who had nothing to do with your mistake.

ਆਪਣਾ ਮਾਰੇ ਛਾਵੇਂ ਸੁੱਟੇ

āpṇā mārē chāvēṁ suṭṭē

Even when your own kin beats you, he throws you down in the shade

Meaning: Family may hurt you, but they still look out for you in the end.

ਨਾਲੇ ਚੋਰ, ਨਾਲੇ ਚਤਰ

nālē cōr, nālē catar

A thief, and a cheeky one at that

Meaning: Said of someone who does wrong and then acts clever or blames others instead of owning up.

ਅੱਗਾ ਦੌੜ, ਪਿੱਛਾ ਚੌੜ

aggā dauṛ, picchā cauṛ

Racing ahead while everything behind is laid waste

Meaning: Chasing new gains while neglecting and losing what you already have.

ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਕੋਠੀ ਦਾਣੇ, ਉਹਦੇ ਕਮਲੇ ਵੀ ਸਿਆਣੇ

jis dī kōṭhī dāṇē, uhdē kamlē vī siāṇē

He whose granary is full of grain — even his fools are called wise

Meaning: Wealth earns people respect; the rich are admired regardless of their merit.

ਕਾਹਲੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਟੋਏ

kāhlī aggē ṭōē

Pits lie ahead of haste

Meaning: Haste makes waste — rushing leads you into trouble.

ਪੱਲੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਧੇਲਾ, ਕਰਦੀ ਮੇਲਾ-ਮੇਲਾ

pallē nahīṁ dhēlā, kardī mēlā-mēlā

Not a penny in her pocket, yet she keeps crying "the fair, the fair!"

Meaning: Wanting luxuries and outings without having the means to pay for them.

ਰੱਬ ਨੇੜੇ ਕਿ ਘਸੁੰਨ?

rabb nēṛē ki ghasunn?

Is God nearer, or the fist?

Meaning: Immediate force often gets quicker results than distant justice — people bow to whoever can hurt them now.