Futility

This proverb describes a situation where a person is already dealing with a major tragedy or crisis, only to be further harassed or troubled by an insignificant or unwelcome person. It is used to highlight the height of misfortune or the insensitivity of others during a person's most vulnerable moments.

This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be more educated or sophisticated after learning a little, but in reality, their knowledge is superficial or they have only learned to complicate simple things. It satirizes someone whose behavior or speech becomes unnecessarily complex or nonsensical after gaining education, rather than becoming wiser.

This proverb highlights the practical reality that sometimes a little bit of wealth or resources can be more immediately useful than vast knowledge or intelligence without any means to apply it. It is often used to emphasize that even small financial stability can provide more security than mere cleverness in difficult times.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task in a haphazard, inconsistent, or clumsy manner. It refers to disjointed work that lacks cohesion or logic, often resulting in a messy outcome where things are pieced together without proper planning.

This proverb is used to describe an impossible task or an action that has no significant impact. It suggests that certain small or weak efforts, no matter how frequent, cannot change or damage something that is inherently strong and solid.

This proverb is used to describe someone who remains small-minded, greedy, or unimproved despite receiving abundant resources or opportunities. It highlights that an individual's basic nature or limitations do not change regardless of how much they consume or possess.

This proverb emphasizes that problems do not solve themselves and ignorance does not vanish without effort. Just as light is required to dispel darkness, active initiative or the light of knowledge is necessary to overcome obstacles or lack of understanding. It is used to suggest that one must take the necessary steps to achieve a result.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who spends their time on useless talk, fabrications, or rumors (Pukkiti Puranalu) instead of acquiring real knowledge or performing meaningful work. It implies that a person lacking discipline and substance cannot handle serious or scholarly responsibilities.

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 expression is used to describe a situation where help, resources, or gifts are provided too late to be of any use. It highlights the irony of offering something valuable when the person can no longer benefit from it.

This proverb highlights that no matter how many skills, educational degrees, or talents a person possesses, the ultimate goal of all their efforts is to earn a livelihood and satisfy their basic need for food. It is used to remind people that every profession or skill has the same fundamental purpose: survival.

All professions are only so many means of livelihood.

This proverb suggests that beauty or youthfulness loses its primary essence if it fails to evoke affection or attraction from one's life partner. It emphasizes that just as a flower is incomplete without its scent, external beauty is considered hollow if it doesn't foster a deep connection or love in a relationship.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite having multiple options or resources, they are all squandered or rendered useless by trying to combine them poorly or through bad management. It often refers to the three basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) or three specific opportunities that result in zero gain when handled incorrectly.

This expression is used to describe a situation where trust is shattered or deep emotional hurt is caused. Just as a crushed object cannot be restored to its original state, once a person's heart or spirit is broken by betrayal or severe disappointment, the relationship or their mental peace can never truly be the same again.

This proverb suggests that it is better to take a longer, safer, and more reliable route (or method) rather than a shortcut that is dangerous or difficult. It emphasizes choosing safety and certainty over speed.

This expression describes a person who is constantly distracted or playful when there is work to be done. It is used to characterize someone who lacks seriousness, moving from one trivial activity to another instead of focusing on their responsibilities.

This expression is used to describe a person who claims to be leaving but stays back indefinitely, or a situation that seems to be ending but keeps dragging on. It originates from a folk story about a gambler who kept saying he would leave once his wick burnt out, but he kept extending it to continue playing.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has exhausted all possible options or prayers to solve a problem, yet the situation has deteriorated or revealed its true, unpleasant nature. It highlights the irony of putting in immense effort or faith only to be met with a disappointing or absurd outcome.

This expression is used to signify that events from the past often happen again in a similar way in the present or future. It is used in political, social, or personal contexts to suggest that human nature or patterns of behavior lead to recurring outcomes.

This is a sarcastic or mocking expression used when someone arrives extremely late for a task or event, particularly when everything is already finished or the opportunity has passed. It highlights the irony of a person showing up 'ready' to lead or participate just as the curtains are closing.

This was a clever speech of the maid servant of a proud but poor Velama to conceal the poverty of her master before visitors; the three kinds of food being the three divisions of the palmyra fruit, and the phrase used regarding the lamps being also susceptible of the meaning " The straw torch has burnt to the knot" i. e. to the end. You can't fare well, but you must cry roast-meat.