Family Conflict

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person maintains an air of false prestige or luxury (the father), while their family members are struggling with hard labor just to survive (the mother). It highlights hypocrisy, misplaced priorities, or vanity in the face of poverty.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where attempts to resolve a conflict or manage a complex situation backfire, leading to more grief and causing a permanent split or division (often referring to a family separation). It signifies that instead of a happy ending, the complications led to sorrow and fragmentation.

This proverb is used to emphasize impartiality and equality in family relationships. It points out that a grandfather shares the same biological bond with all his grandchildren, regardless of whether they are born to his son or his daughter, suggesting that one should not show favoritism based on lineage.

This proverb highlights unfair bias and double standards within household dynamics. It describes a situation where the same action is judged differently based on who performs it; the mother-in-law's actions are praised while the daughter-in-law's identical actions are criticized.

This proverb highlights the transient nature of domestic disputes between couples. Just as a small, smooth seed like a green gram cannot find a grip and quickly slides off a slippery surface like a mirror, a disagreement between a married couple is expected to be fleeting and will resolve itself very quickly.

This proverb is used to describe situations where a specific entity becomes a source of trouble for its environment. Just as a crocodile makes a river dangerous, an elderly person who is neglected or becomes overly difficult (or the inevitable decay associated with age) can bring distress to a household. It is often used to highlight unavoidable or inherent problems within a system.

This proverb is used to describe a competitive relationship or a 'one-upmanship' attitude, particularly between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It highlights a situation where one person makes an absurd or exaggerated claim, and the other responds with an equally nonsensical or defiant retort just to show they are not outdone or to maintain authority, regardless of logic.

This proverb describes a situation where someone adds a trivial or irrelevant task/request to a person who is already in deep distress or overwhelmed by a significant problem. It is used when a person lacks empathy and makes an untimely request during a crisis.

This is a social proverb historically used to describe the unity and extreme confidentiality maintained within a specific community or family. It implies that internal matters, secrets, or disputes are kept strictly private and never revealed to outsiders.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already biased or displeased with another person will find faults in everything they do, no matter how trivial or perfect the work is. It suggests that when there is a lack of affection or a pre-existing prejudice, excuses for criticism are easily invented.

This herb ( Salsola Indica ) is occasionally used as a vegetable, and is naturally very salt. Where there is no love, all are faults. If you want a pretence to whip a dog, it is enough to say he ate up the frying pan.

This proverb emphasizes that someone who does not help or stand by you in times of need is a burden, regardless of their status or the history shared with them. It is used to suggest that reliability and support are more valuable than mere titles or past contributions in a relationship or partnership.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks comfort, relief, or help from a trusted person, but instead of finding rest, they are pushed into a more difficult, uncomfortable, or awkward situation. It highlights the irony of getting additional trouble instead of the expected solace.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme inequality within a family or partnership where one person enjoys all the benefits and luxuries, while the person responsible for or supporting them is left with the remains or suffers in poverty. It is used to highlight unfair distribution of wealth or credit.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is blindly excited about a change or development because of a superficial or one-sided benefit, completely ignoring the hardship or suffering it will cause to others close to them. It is used to point out a lack of empathy or failure to see the bigger picture.

This proverb describes a situation where if a person is not respected or protected within their own home or circle, outsiders will also feel emboldened to mistreat or disrespect them. It highlights that one's vulnerability starts with a lack of support from their own people.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the primary guest or the most important person is being neglected or lacks basic hospitality; therefore, those who came along with them should expect even less or nothing at all. It highlights total scarcity or a lack of proper treatment for everyone involved.

This proverb highlights that others will treat your family members with the same level of respect (or lack thereof) that you show them yourself. If you do not value or respect your own people in public, you cannot expect outsiders to give them any dignity. It emphasizes the importance of mutual respect within a household to maintain social standing.

This expression describes a situation where someone performs a trivial or pointless task in a desperate attempt to save face or maintain dignity while facing a major humiliation or total rejection. It refers to a person who, upon being expelled from a home, stays back to organize the kitchen pots instead of leaving immediately, showing an inability to grasp the gravity of their situation.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so greedy, stingy, or selfish that they ignore the genuine suffering or needs of others. In the context of the saying, a husband who is overly miserly might dismiss his wife's illness just to avoid spending money on treatment or to ensure his own needs are met first. It characterizes blind selfishness and lack of empathy due to greed.

This proverb describes a person who faces constant quarrels or domestic strife at home, and as a result, projects an aggressive, loud, or overly energetic persona in public. It is used to point out that someone's outward bravado often stems from a lack of peace in their private life.