Using Ancient Wisdom to Navigate Modern Dilemmas

Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that offer practical advice or express a universal truth. Proverbs are often passed down through generations and are an important part of many cultures around the world of proverbs.

• जितनी चादर होगी उतने ही पैर फैलाने पड़ेंगे। Literal Translation: The bigger the blanket, the more you have to spread your feet. Meaning: The more resources you have, the more responsibilities you have.

Example: After getting promoted to the manager position, he realized that the more responsibilities he had, the more work he had to do – after all, The bigger the blanket, the more you have to spread your feet .

• अँधेर नगरी चौपट राजा। Literal Translation: In a dark city, the king is blind. Meaning: In a chaotic or confusing situation, even those in power can be powerless.

Example: During the pandemic, many people felt like the government was not doing enough to help them – after all, In a dark city, the king is blind.

• जब जान लगेगी तब पता चलेगा कौन गधा है कौन हाथी। Literal Translation: Only when there is a fight will you know who is the donkey and who is the elephant. Meaning: When push comes to shove, the truth will be revealed.

Example: When the two candidates went head to head in the debate, it became clear who had the better qualifications – after all, Only when there is a fight will you know who is the donkey and who is the elephant.

• उँगली आगे करो, दोस्ती बनाओ। Literal Translation: Move your finger forward, make friends. Meaning: Take the first step towards building relationships.

Example: She decided to take the initiative and introduce herself to her new coworkers, Move your finger forward, make friends.

• उमंग से अधिक तन ख़राब हो जाता है। Literal Translation: Too much excitement ruins the body. Meaning: Overindulgence can lead to negative consequences.

Example: After eating too much cake at the party, she regretted it later when her stomach started to hurt – after all, Too much excitement ruins the body.

• अपना घर समझो (Apna ghar samjho) – Treat every place as your own home. Meaning: This proverbs means that one should treat every place with respect and care, as if it were their own home.

Example: When we went on vacation, my parents always reminded us to Treat every place as your own home and leave the hotel room clean and tidy.

• अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ सकता (Akela chana bhaad nahi phod sakta) – One person cannot accomplish anything alone. Meaning: This proverbs means that it is difficult to achieve anything on your own, and that we all need help and support from others to be successful.

Example: The project was too big for me to handle alone – I realized that One person cannot accomplish anything alone and reached out to my colleagues for help.

• बरतो बरसों जुगतो में गंगा (Barto barson jugto mein Ganga) – Habits die hard. Meaning: This proverb means that once a person has developed a habit or a routine, it can be very difficult to change.

Example: My grandfather had been smoking for over 50 years, and despite his health problems, he found it very hard to quit – Habits die hard

• दूर के ढोल सुहावने लगते हैं (Door ke dhol suhavane lagte hain) – The grass is always greener on the other side. Meaning: This proverb means that people tend to think that things are better somewhere else, but in reality, things are not always as they seem.

Example: My friend always envied my job and thought that it must be so much better than hers, but I reminded her that The grass is always greener on the other side

• हरियाली गांव में जाने के लिए धन नहीं दोहराया जाता (Hariyali gaon mein jaane ke liye dhan nahin doharaaya jaata) – Money can’t buy happiness. Meaning: This proverbs means that happiness cannot be bought with money, and that there are more important things in life than material possessions.

Example: My friend thought that buying a new car would make her happy, but I reminded her that Money can’t buy happiness

• जब जानो तब सवारो (Jab jano tab sawaro) – Prevention is better than cure. Meaning: This proverbs means that it is better to take precautions and avoid problems, rather than waiting for problems to arise and then trying to fix them.

Example: My dentist always reminds me that Prevention is better than cure. – it is better to brush and floss regularly to avoid cavities, rather than waiting for them to occur.

• अपना घर सबसे मीठा (Apna ghar sabse meetha) – There’s no place like home. Explanation: This proverbs means that one’s own home is the sweetest and most comfortable place to be.

Example: After a long trip abroad, I was happy to finally return home to my family – as they say, There’s no place like home.

• जैसे को तैसा (Jaise ko taisa) – Tit for tat. Explanation: This proverbs means that what goes around comes around, and that one should treat others the way they want to be treated.

Example: When my colleague took credit for my work, I decided to confront her – after all, Tit for tat.

• घर का भेदी लंका ढाये (Ghar ka bhedi lanka dhaaye) – A traitor within the family. Explanation: This proverbs means that there is a person within a group who is secretly working against the others.

Example: When the company’s financial records were leaked to a competitor, everyone suspected that there was a traitor within the family in the office.

• जीते जी मरना (Jeete ji marna) – To die while still alive. Explanation: This proverbs means that one should live life to the fullest, as though each day were their last.

Example: My grandmother always said that she wanted to die while still alive – to live life to the fullest until the very end.

• जो गरजते हैं वो बरसते नहीं (Jo garajte hain vo barsate nahin) – Those who make the most noise often do the least. Explanation: This proverbs means that those who talk the most are often the least productive or effective.

Example: My coworker is always boasting about his accomplishments, but in reality, Those who make the most noise often do the least.

• छोटा मोटा सब घमंडी (Chhota mota sab ghamandi) – Small or big, everyone is arrogant. Explanation: This proverbs means that people tend to be arrogant or boastful regardless of their size or status.

Example: The company’s CEO may have a big title, but even the Small or big, everyone is arrogant employees can be just as arrogant.

• जल जाये पर उठके ना जाये (Jal jaye par uthke na jaye) – Better safe than sorry. Explanation: This proverbs means that it’s better to be cautious and avoid potential risks, even if it means missing out on something.

Example: When my friend invited me to try bungee jumping, I declined -Better safe than sorry.

• अब पछताए होत क्या जब चिड़िया चुग गई खेत (Ab pachhtaaye hot kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet) – There is no point in regretting after the damage is done. Example: He didn’t take his studies seriously and now he’s failing his exams. I tried warning him earlier, but now he’s realizing that There is no point in regretting after the damage is done.
• जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी (Jaisi karni waisi bharni) – As you sow, so shall you reap. Example: If you treat people with kindness and respect, you will receive the same in return. This proverbs perfectly describes this situation as you sow, so shall you reap.
• बरतों बरतों पर असूल नहीं बदलते (Barton barton par asool nahi badalte) – Principles do not change with circumstances. Example: Even in difficult situations, my friend sticks to his principles and doesn’t compromise on his beliefs. This proverbs fits him perfectly – Principles do not change with circumstances.
• अंधों में काना राजा (Andhon mein kaana raja) – In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Example: He may not be the most competent person, but in a team full of inexperienced people, he is the one who stands out. It’s like in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
• बड़े बड़े दुखों की बड़ी दवा (Bade bade dukhon ki badi dawa) – Laughter is the best medicine. Example: Whenever I feel stressed or upset, I watch a comedy show or movie. It always works like Laughter is the best medicine.
• अँधेरे में तले बिछाऊं (Andhere mein tale bichaao) – When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Example: Even though she found some local customs strange, she adapted to them and followed them. This proverbs fits her situation When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
• धूमिल दरवाजे घर के (Dhumil darwaje ghar ke) – Closed doors make a house more comfortable. Example: She prefers to keep her personal life private and doesn’t discuss it with anyone. She believes in Closed doors make a house more comfortable.
• नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा (Naach na jaane aangan tedha) – One who lacks skill blames the tools. Example: Instead of accepting his mistakes and trying to improve his skills, he always blames his tools or equipment. This proverbs perfectly describes his attitude – One who lacks skill blames the tools.

• अँधे की लाठी गोद बराबर (Andhe ki laathi godh barabar) – A blind man’s stick is equal to the size of a giant. Explanation: This proverbs means that a person who lacks knowledge or understanding can cause as much harm as a powerful and mighty person.

Example: Although the new employee appeared inexperienced, he made a significant contribution to the project – proving that A blind man’s stick is equal to the size of a giant.

• अपने मुँह मियाँ मिट्ठू बनना (Apne munh miyan mitthu banna) – To sugarcoat one’s own words. Explanation: This proverbs means that a person is trying to make their words sound sweeter or more agreeable in order to avoid offending someone or to get what they want.

Example: The politician promised to lower taxes but failed to do so after being elected – he was just To sugarcoat one’s own words.

• आग बबूला होत है, जलते सब को फूंक-फूंक के जलाती है (Aag baboola hota hai, jalte sab ko phook-phook ke jalaati hai) – Fire is like the babul tree, it burns everyone while crackling. Explanation: This proverbs means that the negative consequences of one’s actions affect everyone involved.

Example: The team leader’s poor decision-making affected the entire group and led to the project’s failure – Fire is like the babul tree, it burns everyone while crackling.

• गुरु के साथ गोलगप्पे, शिष्य के साथ सौ लड्डू (Guru ke saath golgappe, shishya ke saath sau laddoo) – Pani puri with the teacher, hundred laddoos with the student. Explanation: This proverbs means that the teacher is more interested in building a personal relationship with their student and the student can benefit from this by getting more attention and rewards.

Example: During his visit to the school, the principal enjoyed having “Guru ke saath golgappe” with the students and encouraged them to perform well in their exams for Pani puri with the teacher, hundred laddoos with the student.

• जब जान लगती है तब दाम घटते हैं (Jab jaan lagti hai tab daam ghatte hain) – The price decreases when there is demand. Explanation: This proverbs means that when there is a high demand for something, the price will likely decrease.

Example: During the winter season, the demand for warm clothing increases, and The price decreases when there is demand as many stores offer discounts.

• धूप में बरसात (Dhoop mein barasaat) – Raining in sunshine. Explanation: This proverbs means that something unexpected or contradictory is happening.

Example: The company had a record-breaking year in sales, but due to the pandemic, it was Raining in sunshine as the employees had to

• अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ता (Akela chana bhaad nahi phodta) – One can’t achieve much alone. Example: The project was too big for one person to handle alone – I realized that One can’t achieve much alone and I needed to seek help.
• जैसे को तैसा (Jaise ko taisa) – Tit for tat. Example: When my friend pranked me, I decided to get him back with a prank of my own – I figured Tit for tat.
• दूर के ढोल सुहावने लगते हैं (Door ke dhol suhavane lagte hain) – The grass is always greener on the other side. Example: My friend was always complaining about his job, but when he found out that I was offered a similar job, he suddenly thought it was great – The grass is always greener on the other side.
• जो गरजते हैं वो बरसते नहीं (Jo garajate hain wo baraste nahin) – Those who make the most noise, don’t necessarily get things done. Example: My colleague always talks about how busy he is, but he never seems to get anything done – I guess Those who make the most noise, don’t necessarily get things done.
• अंधों में काना राजा (Andhon mein kaana raja) – In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Example: Although my boss wasn’t the most qualified person for the job, he was the only one with any experience – in our company, In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
• बात नहीं बनती (Baatein nahin banti) – It’s not possible to reason with someone. Example: I tried to explain to my friend that her behavior was hurting my feelings, but she wouldn’t listen – It’s not possible to reason with someone. with her.
• जल्दी का काम शैतान का होता है (Jaldi ka kaam shaitaan ka hota hai) – Haste makes waste. Example: I was in a rush to finish my assignment and didn’t check it properly – as they say, Haste makes waste.
• साँप सोंग खाए और लाठी ढोंगे पाए (Saap songh khaye aur laathi dhonge paaye) – To suffer two disasters at once. Example: My friend lost his phone and wallet on the same day – he was really To suffer two disasters at once.
• कुत्ते की दुम तेज़ नहीं होती (Kutte ki dum tez nahi hoti) – You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Example: My grandfather refused to learn how to use a smartphone – I guess You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

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