అవ్వ అరకాసు, తలగొరగను మూడుకాసులు

This proverb describes a situation where the overhead, transport, or incidental costs of a task far exceed the actual value of the work itself. It is used to point out inefficiency or when the effort/cost spent to achieve something is disproportionately high compared to the final result.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is constantly busy and overworked but has nothing to show for it financially. It highlights a situation where one's efforts are unproductive or unrewarding, often used to mock someone's inefficient busyness or lack of success despite hard work.

This proverb highlights the power of money in society. It suggests that social status, caste, or lineage are often overlooked if a person is wealthy, as wealth brings authority and respect regardless of one's background. It is used to describe the influence of financial power.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources provided are grossly insufficient for the massive scale of the requirement. Just as a tiny amount of buttermilk cannot satisfy the giant Kumbhakarna (from Ramayana), it refers to a drop in the ocean or a trivial effort for a gigantic task.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy, lethargic, or lacking initiative. It conveys a sense of total inertia, implying that the person finds it difficult to even start a task, and even if they do, they are useless or ineffective.

* Beter een blind paard, dan een leeg halter. 42 ( 329 )

This proverb is used to emphasize that some things take their natural course and cannot be rushed. It suggests that being overly impatient or hyperactive doesn't necessarily speed up a process that requires a specific amount of time to complete.

This expression is used to describe a state of extreme hardship or chaos in a household, specifically referring to the distress caused when one has to manage both crying children and suffering livestock simultaneously. It signifies overwhelming domestic troubles or a period of great difficulty where everyone in the family, from the youngest to the animals, is in distress.

This proverb describes a situation where the maintenance, overhead, or incidental costs of an object or task far exceed its actual value. It is used to criticize inefficiency or poor financial judgment.

This proverb highlights the importance of having experienced elders (like a grandmother) to manage and guide a household, just as a standard unit of measure (like the traditional 'thavva') is essential for accurate transactions. It signifies that wisdom and proper standards are foundational for a stable life.

This proverb describes a person who makes grand, empty promises or displays excessive generosity in theory, but becomes extremely stingy and calculative when it comes to actual payment or specific details. It is used to mock hypocritical behavior where one talks big about giving away 'villages' for free but fusses over every single cent ('kāsu') during a real transaction.