Conflicting Proverbs and Idioms

As a child, in School, I was quite confused about quite a few things that we were taught! I guess that came with the territory. However, there is one part that bothers me even today and that is the part about conflicting Proverbs, Idioms and oft used phrases.

Since I really haven't been able to 'resolve' is, I thought I may as well pen this down (does anyone even use this phrase anymore?) for you all to see - and, if possible, help me to figure it out!

Here are a few of them that really have me confused!

1. We are often told to LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP, but isn't it also true that PROCRASTINATION IS THE THIEF OF TIME?

2.  Similarly, HASTE MAKES WASTE, but its only THE EARLY BIRD WHICH CATCHES THE WORM!

3. It is true that if we stay away from something for too long it is natural that ABSENCE MAKETH THE HEART GROW FONDER, yet it is known that FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT.

4. While OPPOSITES ATTRACT, we are also taught that it is always BIRDS OF A FEATHER WHO FLOCK TOGETHER!

5. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE, yet we are told that A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH!

6. TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH, but if at the same time, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!

7. WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER, but ONE MAN'S MEAT IS ANOTHER MAN'S POISON!

Well, these are the few that have me (still) confused - and If my School English teacher is reading this, she'd wonder how come I got 91% in the 10th!

If you think of any more such conflicting ones, please feel free to comment and write in - so while we can AGREE TO DISAGREE we can still BE ON THE SAME PAGE :)

Well ... and that's how I feel ...

Hindi Proverbs and their English Equivalents

This effort is a result of a discussion, my family had on the breakfast table. My daughter kept swinging her leg, which kept banging into mine and then I turned around and said .. "Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki."

This started off a discussion of what it meant and whether there was an equivalent of this, in English. Which led me into a hunt for more English equivalents of Hindi Proverbs. I've taken the liberty of spelling out all Hindi words in English. I hope you get it right the first time .. or at least, the second!

Disclaimer: I'm no expert on either Hindi or English, so if you notice errors, please go right ahead and point them out!

I searched the Internet to find lists of Hindi proverbs and English proverbs and then sat down and tried to correlate them. The following list is what I came up with. As I said, I'm no expert - but I'm happy with the effort. Hope you enjoy reading this.

• Khatte angoor - Sour grapes (also, literally)
• Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad - Casting pearls before swine 
• Dal mein kaala - More to it than meets the eye 
• Naach na jaane, aagan tedha – A poor worker blames his tools
• Jale par namak chidakna - Rubbing salt on one’s wound (almost, literal)  
• Door ke dhol suhavane lagte hain – The grass seems greener on the other side  
• Aage kuan peeche khaee – Between the devil and the deep sea  
• Garajne wale badal baraste nahin hain – Barking dogs seldom bite  
• Jitnee lambi chadar ho utna hee pair failana chahiye – Cut your dress according to your cloth  
• Ab pachatae kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet – No use crying over spilt milk  
• Anth bhala to sab bhala – All’s well that ends well (almost, literal)  
• Taali ek haath se nahin bajti – It takes two to quarrel  
• Jahan chaah wahaan raha – Where there’s a will, there’s a way (almost, literal)  
• Doodh ka jala chaas bhi phook-phook kar peeta hai – Once bitten twice shy  
• Jaisa desh, vaisa bhes – In Rome do as the Romans do  
• Ek myaan mein do talawaren nahi samaati – No man can serve two masters  
• Khotta chana baje ghana - Empty vessels make more noise 

By the way, I never did find the equivalent of "Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki"!!

Feedback? ...Bouquets? Brickbats? Well, bring 'em on :)