ఎన్నో రణాలు కోశాను గాని, నా రణమంత తీపు లేదన్నట్టు

This expression refers to the lack of unified leadership or independent direction among the common public. While there are many people (heads) with many opinions, they lack a single 'neck' to support those heads or move them in a coordinated, stable direction. It is used to describe a disorganized crowd that lacks a leader or a collective backbone.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who helps others solve their problems or treats others' suffering finds it hardest to deal with their own personal pain or issues. It highlights that personal suffering is always felt more acutely than the professional or objective handling of others' problems.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is an expert at solving others' problems finds themselves struggling significantly when a similar problem affects them personally. It highlights how personal involvement can make a task feel more difficult or time-consuming than when doing it for others.

This expression describes a person who completely misses the intellectual or spiritual essence of a subject and only notices its physical or superficial aspect. It is used to mock someone who shows ignorance despite being exposed to something profound or great.

This proverb refers to a person who commits a massive sin or causes great harm to achieve a very minor, insignificant act of charity or good. It highlights the hypocrisy and absurdity of trying to cover up a cruel act with a trivial righteous deed, or using unethical means to justify a small positive end.

Steal the goose, and give the giblets in alms.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to achieve something impossible or attempting to extract something from a source that has nothing to give. It characterizes a task that is extremely difficult, futile, or involves dealing with a very stubborn and heartless person.

To milk a he goat. (Latin.)*

This is a traditional proverb used to describe situations or people that are inherently difficult or bitter by nature. Just as the neem leaf is naturally bitter and cannot be made sweet, the proverb suggests that the relationship with a mother-in-law is traditionally fraught with friction and cannot be expected to be perfectly smooth or 'sweet'.

Vēmu is the Azadirachta Indica. She is well married who has neither mother-in-law nor sister-in-law. (Spanish.)*

This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.

This expression describes a person who, in their greed for immediate gain, destroys the very source of their wealth or livelihood. It is used to criticize short-sighted actions that provide a small instant benefit but cause permanent loss.

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).