అరణంకంటే మరణమే మగవానికి శరణం

This proverb highlights that one's own bad behavior or improper actions are what fuel and increase a bad reputation or public scandal. It is used to advise that if one wants to avoid being slandered or talked about negatively, they must first ensure their own conduct is beyond reproach.

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 is used when someone who has worked hard feels insulted or undervalued when they receive the same reward or treatment as someone who did nothing but talk. It highlights the injustice of equal pay or credit for unequal effort.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one seeks advice or help from someone who wishes them ill. It implies that an enemy or a person with bad intentions will never give helpful advice and will instead predict or cause your downfall at the earliest opportunity. It warns against trusting those who harbor resentment toward you.

This proverb means that the true character and goodness of a person are fully recognized and validated by the world only after their death. It is often used to suggest that while people may overlook or criticize someone during their lifetime, their virtues are finally honored when they are gone.

This expression describes the unpredictable nature of life, especially regarding financial or food security. 'Dharana' refers to fasting or self-restraint (often due to lack), while 'Parana' refers to the meal that breaks a fast or a feast. It is used to describe someone whose circumstances fluctuate between periods of scarcity and abundance, or simply the ups and downs of life's fortunes.

A precarious subsistence. Change of fortune is the lot of life. To-day a king, to-morrow nothing. (French.)

This proverb is used to describe a person who is very active when it comes to consuming or taking benefits but remains silent or inactive when it is time to work, speak up, or contribute. It highlights a selfish or lazy nature where one is present only for the 'eating' part and absent for the 'effort' part.

This proverb highlights a situation where one person's gain or pleasure results in another's suffering or loss. It is used to describe zero-sum games or exploitative situations where the benefit of the powerful inherently involves the destruction of the weak.

This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).