Malaysian Proverbs

Sayings of Malaysia origin

  • A fool is like the big drum that beats fast but does not realize its hollowness.
  • An ox with long horns, even if he does not butt, will be accused of butting.
  • Anything with scales counts as fish.
  • Do not be tricked into thinking that there are no crocodiles just because the water is still.
  • Do not measure another man's coat on your body.
  • Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.
  • Don't use an axe to embroider.
  • Fear to let spill a drop and you will spill a lot.
  • Feasting is the physician's harvest.
  • He who has learned how to steal, must learn how to hang.
  • If there is no reason, why would the tempua bird nest on the low branches?
  • If you are too shy to ask, you might lose your way.
  • If you plant grass, you won't get rice
  • No matter how big the whale is, a tiny harpoon can kill him.
  • One can pay back the loan of gold, but one lies forever in debt to those who are kind.
  • One who sits by the well will never go thirsty.
  • Smack a tray of water and you get to wash your face.
  • The body pays for a slip of the foot, and gold pays for a slip of the tongue.
  • The deep sea can be fathomed, but who knows the hearts of men?
  • The existence of the sea means the existence of pirates.
  • The turtle lays thousands of eggs without anyone knowing, but when the hen lays an egg, the whole country is informed.
  • Though a tree grow ever so high, the falling leaves return to the ground.
  • To bend a bamboo, start when it is a shoot.
  • To truly love your wife, leave her alone every once in a while.
  • When you go away, the conversation changes.
  • Where there is sugar, there are bound to be ants.
  • Where there's a carcass, there will be vultures.
  • You can't get at the precious sago without first breaking the bark.

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Land borders are shared with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and maritime borders exist with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. In 2010 the population was 28.33 million, with 22.6 million living on the Peninsula. The southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai is in Malaysia, located in the tropics. It is one of 17 megadiverse countries on earth, with large numbers of endemic species. (Source)

Malaysian flag with may of Malaysia


three federal territories and has a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres (127,350 sq mi) separated by the South

Malay is the official language of Malaysia and a standardized register of the Malacca dialect of Malay. It is over 80% cognate with Indonesian and is spoken natively by over 10 million people. As a second language, it is spoken by an estimated 18 million, mostly Malaysians from ethnic minorities.[It is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary school.

The Malaysian name for the language is Bahasa Malaysia (literally "the language of Malaysia"). This term is occasionally found in English.



Negaraku is the Title of Malaysian National Anthem. Lyrics:

My country, The land where my blood has spilt
The people living united and progressive
May God bestow blessing and happiness
May our King have a successful reign
May God bestow blessing and happiness
May our King have a successful reign.