బతికితే అతిసారం, చస్తే కలరా

This proverb describes a situation where life is so filled with continuous suffering, misery, or struggle that death is seen as a singular moment of grief for others, whereas living is an endless cycle of pain for the individual. It is used to highlight extreme hardship or a state of perpetual sorrow.

This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.

This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.

This proverb refers to someone who is in a critical, life-threatening situation where they are making desperate promises or sacrifices regardless of the outcome. It is often used to describe a 'win-win' situation for a priest or a middleman who benefits from a person's rituals whether they survive (through land offerings) or pass away (through cow offerings for the soul's journey).

This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.

This proverb describes hypocrisy or fake devotion. It is used to mock people who neglect someone's basic needs when they are alive but pretend to honor them with grand, useless gestures after they pass away. It highlights the irony of showing 'generosity' when it no longer benefits the recipient.

This proverb is used to advise against greed and impatience. Just as glue or paste won't bond properly if you try to lick it or consume it before it sets, tasks or relationships fail if one tries to exploit them prematurely for selfish gain. It means that if you are overly greedy, you will end up losing the very thing you are trying to achieve.

This proverb is used to emphasize that something done greedily, shortcuts, or improper methods will not result in a lasting or quality outcome. It is often applied to work or relationships where integrity is lacking, suggesting that temporary fixes or selfish actions prevent a proper bond or success.

This proverb highlights the importance of context and purpose. It suggests that the same action (trembling or moving hands) can be productive, like spinning thread on a wheel, or a sign of weakness/illness, depending on why it is happening. It is often used to imply that the value of an action is determined by its outcome or the intent behind it.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is overly fastidious, delicate, or high-maintenance despite being in a state of extreme poverty. It highlights the irony and impracticality of having expensive tastes or a fragile temperament when one lacks the basic means to survive.