Patience

Why ask about the taste of the curries when you are just about to eat?

This proverb suggests that it is redundant to ask for a preview or opinion of something when you are about to experience or witness it yourself very soon. It is used to imply that one should have patience as the truth or result will be evident momentarily.

In an unsuitable place we should not assert our superiority.

This expression suggests that when you are in an environment or situation where you lack power, influence, or familiarity, it is better to remain humble and patient rather than asserting your status or ego. It is often used to advise people to wait for the right time and place to show their strength, similar to the concept of 'discretion is the better part of valor'.

While she was going round the holy fig tree, she felt for signs of pregnancy. Pradakshana is " reverential salutation, by circumambulating a person or object, keeping the right side towards them." ( Wilson ). Aivattha is the Ficus Religiosa. Expecting the result to be obtained at the very commencement of an enterprize.

This proverb is used to describe extreme impatience or the unrealistic expectation of immediate results for a process that naturally takes time. Just as walking around a sacred tree (a traditional ritual for fertility) cannot result in an instant pregnancy, many goals require patience and consistent effort rather than instant gratification.

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Studying on white paper and serving in the royal court are difficult.

This proverb highlights that gaining formal education (white paper) and working in government or high-ranking administration (royal court) both require immense discipline, patience, and effort. It is used to remind someone that prestigious achievements do not come easily.

The truth will be known with steadiness (over time).

This expression means that the truth eventually reveals itself as time passes. It is used to advise patience when someone is being falsely accused or when facts are currently obscured, suggesting that one should wait for the situation to settle for the reality to emerge.

The child the father cannot tolerate, the mother will bear.

This proverb highlights the unconditional love and infinite patience of a mother. It suggests that even if a child's behavior or mistakes become unbearable for the father, a mother will continue to provide support, forgiveness, and protection.

The stitching work won't be completed on the same day the steamed dumplings (Kudumulu) are eaten.

This proverb is used to convey that success or results take time and cannot be achieved immediately after making an effort or investment. Just because you enjoyed a feast or started a task today, you cannot expect the final output or profit instantly. It emphasizes patience and the reality that processes have their own timeline.

Will the new-moon bring out the brinjals ? Vanga ( called by Europeans "brinjal" ) is the Solanam Melongena.

This expression is used to highlight that certain things take time and cannot be rushed by impatience or unrealistic expectations. Just as plants need sunlight and the right natural conditions to bear fruit, results in life depend on timing and effort, not just on a specific moment of waiting or a sudden desire for outcomes.

Even if it is delayed, one should give birth to a child with an attached umbilical cord.

This proverb emphasizes quality over speed. It suggests that it is better to wait and achieve a perfect or legitimate result rather than rushing and ending up with something flawed or incomplete. It is often used to advise patience in important matters to ensure a successful outcome.

Just because a shoe bit us, would we bite a leather bag?

This proverb is used to illustrate that we should not lower ourselves to the level of someone who has wronged us or behave foolishly in an attempt to get revenge. If a shoe pinches or 'bites' the foot, it is illogical to bite back a leather bag (the material source). It emphasizes maintaining one's dignity and choosing sensible reactions over impulsive, retaliatory ones.

Truth will be known in time.

This proverb suggests that while lies or rumors might spread quickly or cause initial confusion, the truth eventually reveals itself over time. It is used to encourage patience during a misunderstanding or to remind someone that dishonesty cannot remain hidden forever.

Truth is the daughter of time.

Will a raw fruit ripen just because you pluck it?

This proverb is used to convey that things cannot be rushed before their natural time. Just as plucking a raw fruit prematurely doesn't make it ripe or sweet, forcing a process or a person to yield results before they are ready will not lead to success. It emphasizes patience and the importance of timing.

Even poverty, if kept for seven years, might come to use.

This proverb suggests that everything, no matter how seemingly worthless or negative, can have utility over a long period. It is used to justify keeping old or currently useless items because their value might be realized in the future. It highlights the virtue of patience and the idea that nothing is truly waste.

Like removing a cloth that has fallen on a jujube thorn bush.

This expression describes a situation that requires extreme patience, tact, and careful handling. Just as pulling a cloth off a thorny bush too quickly would tear it, certain delicate problems or relationships must be handled slowly and cautiously to avoid damage or worsening the situation.

How can one get butter if they swallow the cream?

This proverb highlights that one cannot enjoy the final, more valuable result if they consume the primary resources prematurely. It is used to describe people who lack the patience or discipline to invest effort and wait for a better outcome, choosing instead to settle for immediate gratification.

The one who remains silent is the greatest yogi

This proverb highlights the virtue of silence and patience. It suggests that a person who knows when to keep quiet, avoids unnecessary arguments, and maintains composure is as enlightened and wise as a great saint or yogi. It is often used to advise someone to stay calm and silent in provocative situations.

When time is bad, one must hold a donkey's feet.

This proverb suggests that when a person is in a difficult situation or facing bad times, they might have to humble themselves or seek help from someone they normally look down upon to get their work done. It emphasizes the importance of pragmatism and patience over pride during adversity.

Even cold water should be cooled before drinking.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and careful consideration. It suggests that one should not act in haste even when a task seems simple or already prepared, implying that even the simplest things require a moment of caution to avoid mistakes.

There is no famine with time, and no poverty with a husband.

This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of life and traditional social security. It means that just as seasons change and rain eventually brings relief to a drought, a hardworking husband provides stability and ensures that his family does not suffer from extreme poverty. It suggests that patience and a supportive partner are key to overcoming difficult times.

Is it possible to pull away a cloth fallen on a thorny bush instantly?

This proverb is used to describe situations where getting out of a problem requires patience and care rather than haste. Just as pulling a cloth quickly from a thorny bush would tear it, acting impulsively in a delicate or complicated situation will only cause more damage. It advises one to be slow and steady when dealing with complex issues or difficult people.