ఏలడానికి ఊళ్ళు లేకపోయినా, ఎత్తుకు తినడానికి ఊళ్ళు లేక పోతాయా?

This proverb refers to commission-based dealings or middleman fees. It describes a situation where a person demands payment at every stage of a process—once for making the introduction or arrangement (Tankam), and another for the successful completion of the task (Pagani). It is often used to critique people who are excessively greedy or those who demand multiple bribes/fees for a single outcome.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an experienced person or someone who arrived early is neglected or treated with indifference, while a newcomer or a later arrival receives excessive attention, special treatment, or pampered care. It highlights the irony of human nature where novelty is often valued over experience or seniority.

This expression is used to criticize someone who is overly arrogant or picky about work. It implies that if one cannot find a high-status job (ruling), they should not be too proud to take up simpler work or even resort to begging to survive. It is a sarcastic take on people who have lost their wealth or status but refuse to let go of their ego.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or cannot afford essential items, yet wastes money or focuses excessively on luxuries, vanity, or superficial appearances. It highlights poor priorities or pretentiousness.

This proverb highlights that both poverty and wealth come with their own sets of problems. While a poor person suffers from deprivation, a rich person may suffer from health issues, greed, or the inability to enjoy their abundance. It is often used to describe situations where everyone has a grievance, regardless of their status.

This expression highlights the contrast in rewards for different types of work. It implies that while professional or strict work earns a fixed wage (coins), selfless or charitable acts earn immense respect and a legacy (villages). It is often used to describe how being precise and firm has its own small value, but being generous or offering things for free can win people's hearts or have vast social consequences.

This proverb highlights that life lacks vitality or challenge without a competitor or an adversary (vadu). Similarly, a queen's status or influence feels diminished if she doesn't have a maid (dadi) to serve or interact with. It is used to express that certain roles or situations require a counterpart to be meaningful or lively.

This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone's performance or work is so bad that the listener/observer wants them to stop immediately. It implies that the effort was a waste of time and the 'appreciation' (nodding) was merely a courtesy, so the person should just hand over their tools and leave before causing further annoyance.

This proverb is used to highlight unfair or disproportionate rewards. It describes a situation where the person who actually did the work or was involved gets a very small amount (Agani), while the mediator or the one who arranged the deal gets a much larger reward (Tankam). It is often applied to middlemen taking excessive commissions.

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.