Futility

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a victim seeks sympathy from a natural enemy or a cruel person. It suggests that it is futile to expect compassion or justice from those whose nature it is to exploit or harm you.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unintentionally invites big trouble or awakens dormant problems while performing a simple or mundane task. It refers to creating a nuisance for oneself by interfering in matters that were better left alone.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an already difficult or disadvantageous position is made even worse by a new problem. It is similar to the English idiom 'adding insult to injury' or 'from the frying pan into the fire,' highlighting a series of unfortunate events or compounding disabilities.

This expression emphasizes the impermanence of material wealth and life itself. It is used to suggest that neither riches nor the person who earns them are eternal, often encouraging a sense of humility, detachment, or philanthropy over greed.

This expression means that people often judge something's quality based on its outward appearance. If a fruit has a blemish or a spot, people tend to assume it is rotten or of poor quality. It is used to describe how a person's reputation can be easily tarnished by a single mistake or flaw, leading others to disregard their positive qualities.

This expression emphasizes that keeping one's word or performing a duty reliably is far superior to making grand promises or giving empty advice. It highlights the importance of integrity and action over mere eloquence.

This proverb is used to mock someone who gives irrelevant or impractical advice because they completely misunderstood the gravity of a situation. It describes a scenario where a business has no base capital to start with, but a foolish person suggests a religious ritual as a solution, ignoring the fundamental lack of resources.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to settle for a mediocre or low-quality option right from the beginning without ever exploring better alternatives. It highlights the frustration of being stuck with something unsatisfactory for a long time.

This expression refers to something that has an incredibly short lifespan or a project that ends almost as soon as it begins. It is based on the lunar mansions (Nakshatras) 'Chitta' and 'Swati' which occur consecutively; implying that something lasted only for a fleeting moment.

This proverb describes a situation where someone ignores the fundamental or core part of a problem and focuses on superficial or trivial aspects instead. It is used to criticize actions that are counterproductive or lack a proper sense of priority, emphasizing that without addressing the root cause, efforts spent on the results are wasted.

This proverb is used to describe things that are useless or non-existent despite appearances. Just as the nipple-like appendages on a goat's neck do not produce milk and the flowers of a fig tree are hidden/non-existent to the eye, certain efforts or people may appear to have potential but yield no practical result.

This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.

This expression describes something that is done in a haphazard, disorganized, or clumsy manner. It refers to a task that is poorly executed or 'patched together' without proper skill or care, resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome.

This proverb highlights the destructive power of stress and constant worry (chinta). While a funeral pyre (chiti) only consumes a person after they have passed away, mental anxiety and grief consume a person while they are still alive, destroying their peace and health. It is used to advise someone against excessive worrying.

This phrase describes a state of total exhaustion or a frantic struggle where someone is moving in an awkward, desperate manner. It is often used to characterize a person who is running away in fear or working so hard that their body is failing them, highlighting a lack of coordination or dignity due to extreme circumstances.

This proverb highlights that a wealthy person who is stingy (a miser) is still more useful in a society or economy than someone who has a generous heart but no resources to actually give. It is used to emphasize that practical capability often outweighs good intentions when there is a lack of means.

This proverb is used to mock someone's poor workmanship or a weak, fragile result. It highlights the absurdity of blaming a minor, insignificant event for the failure of something that should have been strong, implying that the work was fundamentally flawed from the start.

This proverb highlights the essential requirements for survival and productivity. Just as a crop cannot grow or yield without a supply of water, a manual laborer or farmer cannot function or stay healthy without their basic morning sustenance (ambali). It emphasizes that ignoring basic needs leads to inevitable failure.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to help or do something good backfires or results in unintended harm. It describes an act of kindness that leads to a disaster, or a situation where a small request for a favor results in a disproportionate problem.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone remains completely ignorant or misses the most fundamental point of a long explanation, story, or event despite being present for the whole duration. It highlights a lack of attention or comprehension.