అప్పయినా కాయవచ్చునుగాని, పుప్పిమాటలు ఎవడు పడతాడు?

This proverb highlights the historical fear and unpredictability of government authority and bureaucracy. It suggests that while a wild animal is a known danger, the complications, legal troubles, and harassment one might face from officials or the state can be far more ruinous and difficult to escape.

This proverb emphasizes that success is achieved by following the natural, right, and established methods rather than trying to do things in an unnatural or egoistic way. 'Walking with the head' symbolizes arrogance or trying to act contrary to common sense, which leads to failure even in small tasks, whereas humble and proper efforts can take one great distances.

This proverb emphasizes that speaking the truth might lead to temporary criticism or accusations from others who are uncomfortable with it, but ultimately, the person remains honorable. It suggests that while one might be blamed for being blunt or honest, their character remains untarnished in the long run, unlike the shame that follows a lie.

This proverb highlights the importance of context and boundaries. While a relationship might be informal and friendly (calling someone 'Bava'), using that intimacy in a place where it could lead to suspicion or theft (like a garden where one might steal produce) is unwise. It warns that certain behaviors, though generally acceptable, are inappropriate in specific sensitive situations.

This expression highlights the limits of control and coercion. While you can force someone to perform an external action or follow a rule, you cannot control their internal thoughts, imagination, or true desires. It is often used to emphasize that genuine inspiration or vision cannot be forced.

This proverb highlights the difficulty of achieving harmony or agreement among women living together. It suggests that while a large group of men (represented by 'shikha') can coexist peacefully, even a small group of women (represented by 'koppu') often struggle to avoid conflict or disagreement due to varying opinions and temperaments.

This proverb highlights the danger of untrustworthy and treacherous people. While a powerful person might be intimidating, their actions are often predictable or manageable. However, a 'naalimuchu' (a double-dealer or a person with a hidden agenda) is far more dangerous because their betrayal comes from within the home, making it impossible to find peace or safety.

This proverb highlights the difference between material loss and the irreversible passage of time or aging. It implies that lost wealth can be regained through hard work and perseverance, but lost youth and the physical effects of aging are permanent and beyond human control. It is used to emphasize that some things in life are rectifiable while others are inevitable.

This traditional proverb suggests that while a large number of men (symbolized by 'shikha' or tufts) can work together or live in harmony, even a small number of women (symbolized by 'koppu' or hair buns) often find it difficult to coexist without conflict or disagreements. It is typically used to remark on domestic friction or the perceived difficulty of managing multiple women in a single household.

This proverb highlights the difference between investments that yield long-term, easy-to-manage benefits versus those that require high maintenance. In traditional agrarian culture, a cow's maintenance is cheaper and its products are considered sacred/pure, making it a safer debt-funded investment. A buffalo, while giving more milk, requires much more fodder, water, and care, making it a risky choice if one is already in debt.