Maithili Proverbs Collection
मैथिली कहावत संग्रह
Generations of wisdom — authentic Maithili proverbs with Hindi and English meanings.
अन्हर रातिक चाँद नहि देखाइत छैक।
अंधे को रात का चाँद नहीं दिखता।
The blind cannot see the moon at night.
Meaning / अर्थ
Those who lack knowledge or wisdom cannot recognise the truth even when it is right before them.
माए तँ माए होइत छैक, माए सन केओ नहि।
माँ तो माँ होती है, माँ जैसा कोई नहीं।
A mother is a mother — there is none like her.
Meaning / अर्थ
No love in the world is comparable to a mother's love.
पढ़ब लिखब छोड़ि तँ खेतिए करब।
पढ़ना-लिखना छोड़ दो तो खेती ही करनी पड़ेगी।
If you abandon learning, you must fall back on farming.
Meaning / अर्थ
Education opens doors; without it, one is limited to basic livelihood. A strong Maithili emphasis on learning.
एक अकेल चना भाड़ नहि फोड़ैत छैक।
एक अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ता।
A single grain cannot burst the roaster.
Meaning / अर्थ
One person alone cannot accomplish great tasks — collective effort is essential.
जतेक गाछ ततेक फड़।
जितना पेड़, उतना फल।
As many trees, so many fruits.
Meaning / अर्थ
Greater effort and investment yields greater reward.
घरमे दाल नहि, गाँवमे बियाह।
घर में दाल नहीं, गाँव में बारात।
No lentils at home, yet a wedding procession in the village.
Meaning / अर्थ
Those in poverty still try to keep up appearances with public celebrations.
काज करनिहारक कोनो काम नहि रहैत छैक।
काम करने वाले का कोई काम नहीं रहता।
The diligent worker always has more work waiting.
Meaning / अर्थ
Hardworking people are always in demand — capability attracts responsibility.
बोलल बात आ फेकल पाथर घुरि नहि आबैत छैक।
बोले हुए वचन और फेंके हुए पत्थर वापस नहीं आते।
Spoken words and thrown stones never come back.
Meaning / अर्थ
Think before you speak; words, once said, cannot be unsaid.
घरक भेदी लंका ढाहैत छैक।
घर का भेदी लंका ढाता है।
The insider betrayer destroys Lanka.
Meaning / अर्थ
Betrayal from within the family is the most dangerous threat — a reference to Vibhishana in the Ramayana.
अति बरखा सेहो अकाल।
अत्यधिक बारिश भी अकाल लाती है।
Excessive rain also brings famine.
Meaning / अर्थ
Even good things in excess become harmful — moderation is always wise.
गाँव सम धन नहि, गाँव सम अपन नहि।
गाँव समान धन नहीं, गाँव समान अपना नहीं।
No wealth like village community, no bond like your native land.
Meaning / अर्थ
The sense of belonging and support from one's village community is invaluable.
नाचि नहि जनैत, आंगन टेढ़।
नाचना नहीं आता, आँगन टेढ़ा।
Doesn't know how to dance, but blames the courtyard for being crooked.
Meaning / अर्थ
A person who lacks skill blames external circumstances for their own failures.
जे बिना बियाहक जाइत छैक से बिना बोलैबे घुरि आबैत छैक।
जो बिना बुलाए जाता है, वह बिना बोलाए लौट आता है।
He who goes uninvited returns without being sent.
Meaning / अर्थ
Going where you are not welcome results in an undignified exit.
हाथ कमाएब, मुँह खाएब।
हाथ कमाएगा, मुँह खाएगा।
The hands earn, the mouth eats.
Meaning / अर्थ
One must work to eat — dignity lies in earning your own bread.
Share a Proverb
Know a Maithili proverb from your grandmother or village elders? Help us preserve this ancient wisdom.
Submit a Proverb →