Page:Tamil proverbs.pdf/403

 
 * நல்ல நாளையில் நாழிப் பால் கறவாதது கன்று செத்துக் கலப்பால் கறக்குமோ?
 * In its best days the cow gave scarcely a measure of milk, will it yield a kalam after its calf is dead?
 * This proverb may refer to the fact that milch, cows in this part of India and in Ceylon refuse to give their milk in the absence of the calf. The cow when going to a neighbouring house to be milked, is accompanied by its calf which is often muzzled like a dog. When the milkman is about to draw the milk he allows the calf to suck for a few moments and then tying it to the fore leg of the mother, he draws the milk, while she stands quiet licking her offspring. Cows do sometimes allow their milk to be taken when the calf is absent but it not infrequently happens that the cow refuses to give her milk, and the calf is fetched from the homestead to encourage the mother
 * If a calf die, its skin may be dried and stuffed. The cow deceived by the device licks the effigy of her calf and yields her milk.

 
 * நல்ல நினைவை அனுசரித்தலே கெட்ட நினைவை நீக்கல்.
 * Entertaining good thoughts, is in fact leaving evil thoughts.

 
 * நல்லபாம்பு ஆடியது கண்டு நாகப்பூச்சி ஆடியதுபோல.
 * As the earth-worm imitated the graceful movements of the cobra.

 
 * நல்ல மரம் நச்சுக் கனியைத் தராது, நச்சு மரத்திலே நல்ல கனியும் வராது.
 * A good tree yields not poisonous fruit, nor a poisonous tree good fruit.

 
 * நல்ல மரத்தில் முளைத்த புல்லுருவிபோல.
 * Like a mistletoe growing on a good tree.

 
 * நல்ல மாடு ஆனால் உள்ளூரில் விலை ஆகாதா?
 * If the cow be a good one, will it not find a purchaser in its own village?

 
 * நல்ல மாட்டிற்கு ஒரு அடி, நல்ல பெண்ணுக்கு ஒரு சொல்.
 * A good bullock requires but one blow, and a good woman only one word.

 