ఏనుగు పడుకున్నా గుర్రమంత ఎత్తు

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the primary person or provider is struggling for basic necessities, yet someone dependent on them expects luxury or special treatment. It highlights the irony of demanding more than what is available or realistic given the circumstances.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

This proverb is used to describe a person of great stature, wealth, or influence. It suggests that even when such a person is at their lowest point or in a period of decline, they are still superior or more powerful than ordinary people. It emphasizes inherent greatness that doesn't disappear completely during tough times.

This proverb describes a situation where there is no real choice because all available options lead to the same result. It is used when someone is presented with alternatives that offer no actual difference in benefit or quality, implying that the outcome remains equally poor or unchanged regardless of the path chosen.

Equally bad. Where bad is the best, naught must be the choice. Whatever way you take there is a league of bad road. (Spanish.)*

This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.

The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on something unreliable or deceptive, leading to inevitable failure or disaster. Just as a horse made of mud will dissolve and collapse when it enters water, trusting a weak or false promise will leave a person helpless in a crisis. It is used to warn against placing trust in superficial strengths or incompetent people.

Relying upon a man who pretends to have influence.

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy or has a huge appetite when it comes to consuming resources or food, but becomes completely useless, lazy, or inactive when it is time to do any work.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone or something is raised or developed in an environment where the available resources or 'nutrition' are insufficient or inappropriate. Just as a goldsmith uses wood shavings for his furnace rather than fodder, a horse raised in such an environment ends up eating what is available (wood shavings) instead of grass, leading to poor growth or quality. It highlights the impact of one's upbringing or environment on their character and capabilities.