Page:Tamil proverbs.pdf/123

 
 * இரும்பு துறட்டுக்கு அசையாத புளியங்காய் திருப்பாட்டுக்கு அசையுமா?
 * Will the tamarind fruit that has resisted an iron hook shake at a sacred song?
 * In illustration of this proverb the following may not be considered irrelevant. In the year 1826 when I went to my first Missionary station, Trincomalee on the Eastern coast of Ceylon, I called on the chief Mudaliar to pay my respects and to urge the claims of Christianity. The old gentleman who remembered the coercive system adopted by the Dutch for the propagation of Christianity, and well knowing too that Missionaries under the mild sway of Great Britain can use no weapon but the Gospel, uttered with great animation the above proverb. In view of the youthful character of his visitor he seemed to feel like Goliath in the presence of David.

 
 * இரும்பை எறும்பு அரிக்குமா?
 * Can an ant gnaw iron?

 
 * இரும்பை எலி தின்னுமா?
 * Can a rat eat iron?

 
 * இரும்பை எலி கவ்விற்று என்கிறான் படுக்காளி.
 * The infamous liar says that the rat took the iron in its mouth.

 
 * இரும்பைக் கறையான் அரித்தால் பிள்ளையைப் பருந்து கொண்டு போகாதா?
 * If the white-ants can eat iron, why cannot a hawk carry off a child?

 
 * இருவரும் ஒத்தால் இணக்கவார் ஏன்?
 * If the two agree what need of arbitrators?

 
 * இருவராலே ஆகாத காரியம் ஒருவராலே ஆகுமா?
 * Can an affair be effected by one that could not be accomplished by two?

 
 * இருவர் நட்புக்கு ஒருவர் பொறுமை.
 * The friendship of two depends on the forbearance of one.

</li> </ol>