Humility

This expression is used to emphasize that when times are unfavorable, even the most powerful or talented individuals may have to humble themselves or perform menial tasks. It originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Arjuna's exile where he worked as a dance teacher.

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 refers to Hanuman, emphasizing that despite his immense power and the monumental feat of burning Lanka, he remained a humble servant of Lord Rama. It is used to describe someone who is highly capable and performs great deeds but remains modest and dedicated to their duty or leader without seeking personal glory.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one must humble themselves or flatter even an unworthy or inferior person to get a specific job done or to achieve a goal. It emphasizes pragmatism and temporary compromise for the sake of success.

This proverb highlights that basic contentment and simple necessities—steady food, a companion, and basic comforts—are superior to a life of great ambition or complex struggles. It advocates for the virtue of a settled, modest, and self-sufficient lifestyle.

This proverb advises discretion and humility. It suggests that one should not brag or announce their intentions before acting (to avoid failure or interference), nor should one blindly follow spoken advice without evaluation. It is often used to emphasize that actions should speak louder than words and that true success is achieved through silent hard work.

This proverb emphasizes that no matter how powerful, wealthy, or successful a person becomes in the world, their status remains the same within the family, especially towards their mother. It is used to teach humility and to remind people that their roots and primary relationships remain unchanged by worldly achievements.

The virtuous one would remain silent and wouldn’t make a show. It is only the empty vessels that make much noise.

True learning is humble. Empty vessels give the greatest sound. Deep rivers move in silence, shallow brooks are noisy.

This expression is used to signify that it is impossible to fully repay someone's immense help or match their stature with material offerings. It emphasizes that devotion or gratitude is more important than the scale of the gift, acknowledging human limitations when dealing with greatness.

This proverb serves as a caution against overconfidence or complacency after escaping a danger. It implies that life is unpredictable, and just because you survived one crisis doesn't mean you are immune to future challenges; therefore, one should remain humble and cautious.

This proverb is used to warn that if a person is too submissive, overly kind, or weak, others will naturally try to take advantage of them or mistreat them. It suggests that one must maintain a certain level of firmness to command respect.

This proverb highlights how people's preferences or attachments change with age or vulnerability. It suggests that someone in a weak or advanced stage of life finds comfort or affection in things that others might overlook or find plain, often implying that simplicity or basic companionship becomes more valuable than vanity in one's later years.

* On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif. † Man kan nœde en Mand till at blunde, men ikke til at sove.

This proverb emphasizes that knowledge is vast and no single person can claim absolute mastery over all subjects. Similarly, every person, no matter how uneducated or simple, possesses some form of unique knowledge or skill. It is used to promote humility among the learned and respect for everyone's inherent wisdom.

This expression is used to signify total submission or acceptance of a higher authority's decision. It implies that whatever a superior (or God) decides is a blessing for the subordinate, often used to express humble compliance or to acknowledge that one's fate lies in someone else's hands.

This expression is used to describe a person with very limited needs or a simple lifestyle. It implies that since their requirements are so minimal, they will always find a way to survive or be satisfied, as if divinely protected. It is often used to express contentment with a modest income or small possessions.

This expression is used when offering a small, humble contribution toward a great cause or person. Just as a single thread is insignificant to the vast moon but is still offered as a gesture of devotion, this phrase signifies that the intent and sincerity of the giver matter more than the value of the gift.

This expression is used when offering a small, humble contribution toward a massive task or to a great person. It signifies that even if the gift or help is insignificant compared to the recipient's stature or the scale of the project, it is given with deep devotion and sincerity.

This proverb is used to describe human behavior regarding knowledge and wealth. A person with little knowledge or substance often boasts loudly and makes a lot of noise to get attention, whereas a truly wise or wealthy person remains humble, composed, and silent. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'

This proverb highlights that one's status, power, or influence is often local and relative. A person who is highly respected or influential in their own familiar surroundings might be treated as a complete stranger or an ordinary person elsewhere. It is used to teach humility and to remind people that their authority has geographical or social limits.

This expression is used to describe someone who stays extremely humble, modest, or inconspicuous, often hiding their true potential or presence to avoid drawing attention. It describes a state of being very quiet, obedient, or submissive in a given situation.