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?? 6686 , Khar i Baoli , Delhi 110006 , Ph:2391197 9 ?? 10 B , Netaj i Subhash Marg , Daryaganj , New Delhi 11000 2 Ph:23268293,2327990 0 ?? Fax: 011 2328056 7 Administrative Office J 3/1 6 Opp . Happy School , Daryaganj , New Delhi 11000 2 Ph: 23272783,2327278 4 ?? F a r ; 011 2326051 8 E mail: info@pustakmahal.co m ?? Website: www.pustakmahal.co m Branch Offices BANGALORE : 22/2 , Mission Roa d Sham a Rao s Compound , Bangalore 560027 , Ph: 223402 5 ?? Fax: 080 224020 9 E mail: pmblr@sancharnet.in ?? pustak@sancharnet.in MUMBAI : 23 25 , Zaob a Wad i Opp . VI P Showroom , Thakurdwar , Mumbai 400002 , Ph: 2201094 1 ?? Fax: 022 2205338 7 E mail: rapidex@.in PATNA : Khemk a House , 1st Floor Opp . Women s Hospital , Ashok Rajpath , Patna 800004 , Telefax: 0612 267364 4 E mail: rapidexptn@ HYDERABAD : 5 1 707/1, Brij Bhawan , Bank Street , Koti , Hyderabad 500095 , Ph: 2473753 0 ?? Fax: 040 2473729 0 E mail: pustakmahal hyd@indiatimes.co m ?? Pustak Mahal, 6686 , Khar i Baoli , Delhi 11000 6 I.S B N. 81 223 0281 5 NOTIC E The Copyright of this book , as well as all matter contained herein including illustrations rests with the Publishers . No person shall copy the nam e of the book , its title design , matter and illustrations in any form and in any language , totally or partially or in any distorted form . Anybody doing so shall face legal action and will be responsible for damages . —Publishers Editio n : Januar y 200 4 Printed at: Hi Zeal Graphics , Delhi . preface Knowledge is power . We, at Pustak Mahal, have always bee n keen to empowe r you . We started this with the Rapidex English Speaking Course. We have not looked bac k since then. F^om time to time, we have bee n publishing books to enhance you r knowl edge. We have also tried to keep the prices wel l withi n the reach of the commo n man . We understand that books must be affordable, so that more and more people ca n benefit from them . Keeping the prices pegged dow n is not that easy a task. But we have resolved to tackle this task . We find this challenge worth taking . This boo k is yet another effort, on our part, to increase you r knowledge . Th e book, written by one of Indias leading writers, explains, i n very simple language, the meanings of proverbs . Alternatives i n the Englis h language are given . Further, the proverbs are brought out clearly throug h illustrative stories culled fro m a variety of sources . This book, therefore, is a treasure trove. Delve into it to improve you r knowledge and thus gai n more confidence and success . Contents 1. A friend i n need is a friend indeed 7 2. A greased mout h cannot say, no 10 3. A little knowledg e is a dangerous thing 12 4. Haste makes waste 14 5. Al l are equa l i n the eyes of the law 18 6. Al l is fai r i n love and wa r 20 7. A n enemys enemy is a friend 23 8. Beauty is only ski n dee p 25 9. Charity begins at hom e 27 10. Dont bite more tha n yo u ca n chew 29 11. Dont cry wolf onc e too often 3 1 12. Dont kil l the goose that lays golde n eggs 34 13. Obey the law o r be damne d 37 14. Giv e a dog a bad name and hang it 50 15. Goo d Samaritan : nearest to go d 4 2 16. No w is the time to live 44 17. Hel l hath no fury like a woma n spurned 46 18. If the beard were all, a goat might preac h 49 19. Impossible is ofte n the untried 5 1 20. Kindness pays 5 3 21. Necessity is the mothe r of inventio n 55 22. Neve r a Quisling be 57 23. No army ca n fight o n a n empty stomac h 60 24. It is neve r too late to learn 63 25. He wh o has a n art has everywhere a part 66 26. Pride hath its fal l 69 27. Silence is golde n 7 1 28. The future is not ours to see 73 29. The grass looks greener o n the other side 75 30. The poo r are truly free whe n thei r needs are a few 77 31. Practice makes one perfect 79 32 Self hel p is the best hel p 81 33. Slow and steady wins the race 83 34. Tact wins where might fails 85 35. None but the brave deserve the crow n 87 36. T p kil l two birds wit h one stone 90 37. Tit for tat 93 38. Truth always triumphs 96 39. Unity is strength 98 40. Wisdo m is nothing but earthly commonsense 101 41. Count not you r chickens before they are hatched 103 A friend in need is a friend indeed Meaning: Many of our friends are fair weather friends. They desert us when we are in trouble. Only a few friends stand by us in our hour of need. They are friends, indeed ! Alternative: A friend is best judged in adversity. In times of prosperity friends will be plenty. In times of adversity not one among twenty. Illustrative Story: Sudama was a poo r Brahmin . He an d his family lived i n utter poverty an d misery . Fo r days together, they had very little to eat . They often slept without having any foo d at all . Sudam a curse d himself for not being able to provide for his family . Th e thoughts of committing suicid e often crossed his mind . Onc e i n a fit of depression he voice d histhoughtst o his wife . Shetrie d toconsol e her husband an d then, reminded hi m of his friendshi p wit h Lor d Krishna—the King of Dwarika . As childre n Krishna and Sudam a had lived an d studied togethe r i n Sandipa n Munis Ashram . "G o to him", she pleaded, "Krishn a is al l powerful, kind and gener ous. He wil l surely hel p yo u i n this hou r of need" . Sudam a hesitated, "H e is a King and I m just a poo r wretched Brahmin . How ca n I visit him? " "So what! " she countered, "friendshi p is above class differences . Yo u must seek his help . I cant see our children dying of hunger. " Finally Sudama agreed to visit Krishna . Hi s wife borrowed some rice fro m neighbourhood and gave it to Sudama as a gift for his friend. Sudama started o n his journey . At the Palace gate, the guard refused Sudama a n entry inside . Sudama argued that he was a n old childhoo d friend of the King and wouldnt leave without seeing him . The word of commotio n reached Lord Krishna . As soon as he heard Sudamas name, barefooted Krishna ran out to meet his friend. Both the friends embraced eac h other and shed tears of joy . The n wit h great honou r and ceremony Krishna led Sudama inside the Palace . There, he himself washed and dried the dirty and bruised feet of his friend and made hi m sit on the throne. Krishnas wives themselves attended o n them, as the two friends ate and talked of the ol d days at their teachers ashram . During the course of mea l Krishna asked Sudama, "What gift have yo u brought for me?" Sudama was too embarrassed to bring out the little poo r quality rice tied up in an ol d rag. But Krishna snatched the bundle from hi m and ate the rice flakes wit h great relish leaving his ow n grand roya l feast. After the mea l Krishna made Sudama lie i n his Kingly bed . He himself sat there massaging his tired feet, unti l Sudama fel l asleep. Next day, Sudam a took leave of his great friend . Krishna along with his family bade hi m a loving farewel l at the Palace gate. Al l this while, Sudama coul d not bring himself to reveal the real purpose of his visit . He left without doing so . Hi s heart was heavy as he walke d towards home . He didnt know what to tell his wife and children, wh o must be eagerly awaiting his return. Th e hungry faces of his family haunted him, o n his way back . But a pleasant surprise a waited hi m at home . A beautifu l palac e stood i n place of his poo r broke n hut. Hi s wife and childre n dressed in silke n clothes and jewellery greeted hi m at the gate. Krishna had blessed their lives wit h prosperity . He had also saved Sudama from the humiliatio n of asking for anything . Krishna was a great friend indeed, who came to his friends rescue i n his hou r of need. o o o A greased mouth cannot say no9 Meaning: One who has taken bribes cannot refuse any request of his patron. Alternative: A man who sells himself is a slave for ever. Illustrative Story: Th e commande r led his men . They laid siege to the fort. They kept watch, round the clock . Non e coul d get away from the fort. "The defenders need food an d water . They may have some food and wate r i n stock . But that wont last long . Th e fort wil l fal l soon," said the commande r to his clos e associates . Th e siege continued . Eve n after a month, there was no sig n of panic o n the part of the defenders . Th e commande r howeve r remained cool . "Victory wil l be ours, " he said confidently . That night, he rode away, to the neighbouring town . He reached a house, set o n the outskirts of the town . He knocked . Someone asked, "Wh o is there?" Th e Commande r introduced himself . Th e door opened . "Com e in, " said the host, not showing muc h enthusiasm o n seeing the guest . "You dont see m to be happy to see me, " the commande r stared at the host. "You know the reason . I was onc e a n officia l at the fort. I have retired. I have settled dow n here, far fro m the fort. If the news that I have met you, reaches the defenders, wil l be a dead man, " he sounded scared . "Well, I wont stay eve n a minute more tha n is necessary . I have helped yo u wit h funds several times whe n yo u were working at the fort. I neve r asked yo u for any favour . Now I want it. Te l I me, is there a secret tunne l to the fort?" the commande r waited for an answer. "I ... Wel l ... " the host stammered. "Tell me. O r I wil l send to you r master the documents to prove that yo u have take n bribe from me. That wil l be the end of you. " The host reluctantly gave the information . The commande r rode away, telling himself, "A greased mout h ca n never say NO. " Next day, after dusk, he led a few soldiers to the mouth of the tunnel. He directed them to snea k i n and take the men who were at the mai n gate. Th e men at the gate were take n by surprise . Th e drawbridge cam e down . The attacking army swarmed in . Soo n the fort fell . O O Q A little knowledge is a dangerous thing Meaning: Good knowledge of an art or profession is essential to be successful in life. A man with insufficient knowledge will always cause harm to himself and others. Alternative: An empty vessel makes much noise. Illustrative Story It was a fine Sunday afternoon . Nine year ol d Rohit helped his mother clea r the table, after lunch . "Ah, thats a job, wel l done, my boy! " his mothe r patted him . The n she said, "grow u p quickly, my boy . The n yo u too ca n do many othe r things like carrying out mino r repairs as you r Papa does . Ho w I wis h you r Papa were here ! But, no, he is o n tour most of the time . I now have a leaking tap. Th e plumbe r neve r turns u p fo r od d jobs, eve n if I tel l hi m a doze n times . "I ca n do it, Ma/ Rohit offered . "Oh, no, " she yawne d an d move d to the bedroo m fo r a nap . Soo n she was fast asleep . Rohit told himself, "Setting the ta p right shoul d be easy . I have watched Papa doing it a numbe r of times. " He remembered the steps, "Pic k u p a spanner . Tighte n it round the nec k of the tap. Unscrew the tap . Replac e the washer . Put the head bac k i n place and screw it tight. " It looked quite simple . Rohit tip toed to the shelf at the rear veranda, picke d u p the too l box and ran to the bathroom . The tap was leaking . Rohit pulled out the wrench, set it round the nec k of the tap and tightened its jaws . The n he tugged, wit h al l his strength. The head refused to budge."What woul d Papa have done? " Rohit thought . Then he remembered, "H e woul d hit the free end of the spanne r with a heavy stone. " He did that. Th e stone landed o n his thumb . He wince d wit h pain. Tears welle d u p i n his eyes . The n he controlled himself, " I must do this job . Mamma expects it of me. " He hit again . This time he was successful . The tap turned. Wate r gushed out. Rohit got drenched . But he di d not mind that. The n he got a real shoc k whe n the head of the tap, pushed by the gushing water flew in to space . It hit the wal l and bounced bac k into Rohit hitting hi m o n the tip of his nose . "Ouch!" he sobbed . Meanwhile the head of the tap dropped down, rolled along wit h the water and got stuc k into the outlet. Rohit groped around, as the water bega n to rise in the bathroom . He tried to prise the head out. But he coul d not. Wate r gathered in the bathroom . Soo n his feet were unde r water . "What shal l I do now?" he wondered . He decided to use the screw drive r to prise the head out. That was when he heard his mother bellow, "Hey, Rohit . What are yo u u p to?" She caught hold of hi m firmly and dragged hi m out, saying, "What do yo u know of this job? " "But, Ma, I have seen Papa doing it, severa l times, " Rohit mumbled. "So what . You r knowledge is incomplete . Yo u should have done this first," she cut off the supply of wate r by closing the mai n valve . The n she managed to clear the blockage . Wate r drained out. "See the mess yo u have created " She stopped o n noticing the swollen thum b and the red nose and growled, "The bathroom is now a pool . An d you r thum b and nose are a bloody mess." She led hi m to the medicin e chest and dressed u p the wound telling him, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing . Remembe r that. Always. " o o o Haste makes waste Meaning: Act patiently. Plan every action in advance. Analyse the plan thoroughly. Alter and amend it wherever necessary. Never act rashly. Thats how one increases the chances of success. Alternatives: Act in haste, repent at leisure. Look before you leap. Illustrative Story: Shivaji, the Maratha chief, was o n the run . He had suffered a set back i n a battle wit h the Mughals . He an d a few of his clos e associates got away i n time . Th e party move d throug h the jungle . After a long trek, they reached a junction . Shivaj i turned to his men and said, "If we move i n a group, we wil l be easily identified . Let eac h of us follow a different route . We shal l meet three day s hence, i n the ol d rest house nea r Rajgar h Fort. " The me n protested . Shivaj i overruled thei r objection . He move d on, al l by himself . By dus k he was tired . He needed food an d shelter for the night? Th e flicke r of a n oi l lamp, at a distance, roused his hopes . He move d faster til l he reached a hut. A n old woma n was watching a pot, boiling o n the fire . She raised her head o n hearing footsteps . She saw a strange r at the door . She asked, "Wh o are you? " Shivaj i di d not introduce himself . For danger stalked him, al l around . So he said, "A poortraveller . Ma, I see k hel p from you . I a m terribly hungry . I had been o n my feet all day long and had nothing but some nuts and fruits I too k from the trees." "Come, sit down . I wil l get yo u a plate of hot, fresh boiled Kod i grain eaten by poo r people . Nothing more. I a m poor . I cant serve a grand feast," she made place for Shivaj i to sit close to the fire. Shivaji thanked her. Hewashe d hisfacean d handsandsatdown . The woma n placed a plate before hi m and served the hot steaming food . Shivaj i picke d u p a handfu l of food from the centre. He wrung his hand i n pain . Quickl y he dropped the food and waited . The ol d woman, wh o watched him, said, "Yo u are like Shivaji. " "Shivaji ! Why? " he asked . "Shivaji leaves aside smal l forts and hurries to capture big ones . He is terribly hasty. He doesnt knqw that he must move step by step, gai n contro l ove r the smal l forts and then attack the big ones. Haste makes waste . It gets one into trouble . Yo u were hasty too. Food, whe n served hot, cools faster at the edges . Instead of taking food fro m the edges, where it is cold, yo u picke d u p a handful fro m the centre . An d hence, got you r fingers burnt. " Shivaji got the message . He thanked the ol d woman . He cleane d up the kodi . He washed the plate and waited til l the old woma n had eaten. He helped her clea n u p the pots. The n she spread a mat on the floo r for hi m to sleep . Next day, at dawn, he too k leave of the ol d woman . He told her, as he left, " I assure you, I wont be hasty . I know haste gets one into trouble . Than k yo u for teaching me that lesson. " "Good. I wis h Shivaj i also learns that lesson . I wis h I live to see Shivaji holding absolute power, " the ol d woma n said . "He has got the message, Mataji, " Shivaj i fel l at her feet. "What!" the old woma n was confused . "I a m Shivaji . Bless me, Mataji . Yo u have show n me the way to succeed," Shivaj i reached for the ol d womans right hand and placed it o n his head . She smiled and said, " Vijayi Bhava" May you be victorious . o o o All are equal in the eyes of the law Meaning: The law is supreme. It treats all as equals. It applies to the rich and the poor, the ruler and the ruled alike. Nobody is outside the law. Alternatives: The law takes its own course. Nobody is beyond the law. Illustrative Story: Emperor Jahangi r hung a bel l at the entrance of his palace . Drummers went round, telling the people, "Hav e yo u any complaint? Com e an d ring the bel l at the entrance of the palace . Th e empero r shal l hea r yo u and do justice. " Th e news went round . Th e people haile d the emperor . One day . Nu r Jaha n wa s practising archery . She shot arrows at chosen targets . Before closing the day s session, she sent a n arrow, whizzin g throug h space, towards the rive r bed, whic h lay close by . The n she walke d bac k to the harem . A little later, someon e rang the bell . Th e sentry found a washer woman, sobbing wit h grief . I n her han d she held a n arrow . " I want justice. " She wailed . Th e sentry led her to the emperor . Th e woma n bowed . She place d the arrow dow n o n the carpet and said betwee n sobs, "Someon e kille d my husband wit h this arrow. Wh o wil l now loo k after me and my children? " The empero r picke d u p the arrow . It had the roya l stamp . Someone fro m the palace had caused the tragedy . Th e empero r sent the sentry to find out who had practised archery, o n that day . The sentry cam e back, soo n enough . He hesitated. The empero r pressed. Almost i n a whisper, the sentry named Nu r Jahan, the queen, as the guilty . The empero r sentfo r Nu r Jahan . She appeared, soo n enough . Th e emperor pulled out a dagge r fro m his belt and held it out to the woman. "Th e empress made yo u a widow . Kil l me wit h the dagger. That wil l meet the demand of justice. " The woma n shied away, "Oh, no, Badhshah . I ca n neve r do that." The empero r granted her a pension . She thanked hi m and left. He turned to Nu r Jaha n wh o sulked, "Yo u too k a grave risk. What if the woma n had carried out you r command! " The empero r replied, " I woul d havedied . Butjustice woul d have been done . For al l are equa l i n the eyes of the law . Be carefu l i n future," said the emperor . O O O 1 9 All is fair in love and war Meaning: This proverb gives the lover or the fighter the right to use all means, even tricks, lies and deceptions, to make his hopes come true. Alternative: Where drums beat the Laws are silent. Illustrative Story: Th e Mahabharat Wa r was on . Th e Kaurav forces were led by Bhishmapitamaha. Wit h hi m were Achary a Drona, Daanvee r Karn an d many others . "How do we beat suc h a strong force? " aske d Yudhishter . "Dont yo u have fait h i n you r fighting skill ? Ho w ca n yo u underestimate great warriors like Bhi m an d Arjun? " Lord Krishna asked. "O h Krishna ! Yo u are ou r greatest strength, " said Yudhishter . Lord Krishn a reminde d Pandava s abou t th e valou r of Bhishmapitamaha an d the n suggested a plan . "Shikhand i is a eunuch. LetShikand i lead ou r me n against the ol d warrior, i n the battle tomorrow . Bhishmapitamah a wil l not fight Shikhandi . He wil l hold bac k al l his weapons, eve n if he is i n peril . Thu s he ca n be overpowered easily" . Lord Krishn a said . That pla n worked . Bhishmapitamah a fell . Dronachary a too k over as the Supreme Commander . He organise d the Kaurava forces wit h great skill . Th e Pandavs found it impossible to penetrate the enemy lines . They suffered heavy casualities . "We wil l neve r win, " groaned Yudhishter . "That is a defeatist attitude. We ca n always find a way out, " said Lord Krishna . "What do yo u suggest?" Yudhishte r turned to Lord Krishna . "You are Dharmaputra . Th e whol e worl d knows yo u neve r lie . If yo u agree to piay a trick, we ca n beat Dronacharya, " said Lord Krishna. "How^Yudhishter enquired . "Get hold of a n elephant . Name the elephant Ashwathama after the son of Dronacharya . Kil l the elephant . The n announce, Ashwthama Hatah, Ashwathama has bee n killed " said Lord Krishna. "That woul d be a lie, " Yudhishte r showed his disapproval . "No. Yo u wil l add, Kunjara, the elephant . But whe n yo u add those words, the drums wil l be beaten so loudly that Dronacharya shall only hear the first two words, Ashwathama Hatah, not the word Kunjara . Th e news of the loss of his only so n wil l make Dronacharya lose interest i n the battle," Lord Krishna waited, while Yudhishte r turned the suggestio n ove r i n his mind . "No. That w
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