చేనికి వాక, రేనికి మూక.

This proverb highlights the essential requirements for success in different domains. Just as a rice crop (paddy) cannot thrive without a constant supply of flowing water, a ruler or leader cannot maintain power or achieve victory without a loyal group of followers or an army. It is used to emphasize that resources and support systems must match the nature of the endeavor.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of boundaries and rules. Just as a field requires a bund (gattu) to retain water and protect the crop, a community or village requires collective discipline and social order (kattu) to function harmoniously and remain united. It is used to stress the need for regulation in any organized system.

This expression is used to describe a clear segregation between two groups based on quality, status, or nature. It implies that like-minded or similar-valued things (or people) naturally group together, separating the common or inferior from the rare or superior.

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This proverb highlights the difference in receptiveness to advice. A wise or good-natured person understands and corrects their behavior with just a simple word of advice. However, an obstinate or foolish person will not learn unless they are punished or dealt with harshly (metaphorically represented by a 'cheta' or winnowing basket). It is used to suggest that different people require different levels of persuasion or discipline.

A blow with a sieve, a broom, or a slipper is very degrading.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of fertilization in agriculture. It suggests that just as manure enriches the crop field, allowing a flock of sheep or cattle to stay in a small plot (penning) naturally fertilizes the soil with their waste, ensuring a healthy yield. It is used to highlight that timely and appropriate inputs lead to better results.

This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.

This expression describes a situation where one is trying to perform a task in extremely unfavorable or difficult conditions. Just as a harrow (a farming tool) cannot move smoothly or effectively in a stony field, it signifies effort that is constantly interrupted, noisy, or yielding poor results due to the environment or circumstances.

This proverb describes the specific resource requirements of different animals based on their status and size. It is used metaphorically to explain that every individual or entity needs an environment or support system proportionate to their scale or nature to thrive.

This proverb describes a situation where one wastes valuable resources on a hopeless or unproductive cause. Just as sowing good seeds in a barren or bad field results in a loss of both the seeds and the effort, this expression is used when someone invests time, money, or energy into something that yields no results.

Pongali is a preparation of rice offered to the fields after the harvest. In this case the crop had failed and the offering had to be made from the old store. It was therefore a needless ceremony.

This proverb is used to criticize excessive or unnecessary expenditure and effort on something that is already worthless or beyond repair. It highlights the irony of providing high security or maintenance to a failed venture.

* Wer da fallt, über ihm laufen alle Welt, ! Ao cas morido, todos o mordem, ‡ Cognatio movet invidiam.