ఏనుగు మీద పోయేవాణ్ని సున్నం అడిగినట్టు

This proverb describes a situation of extreme foolishness or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who ignores a genuine necessity (provisions for a long journey to another village) but insists on providing for someone performing a trivial, short-term task (going to the outskirts for nature's call). It is used to mock people who waste resources on unnecessary things while neglecting essential needs.

This expression is used to describe an unreasonable or cruel demand for money or taxes from someone who is already struggling with a heavy burden or earning a meager living. It highlights the absurdity of taxing the very basic means of survival or small manual labor.

This proverb highlights two things that are always ready or desirable. A 'washed mouth' refers to a clean mouth ready to eat, and an 'asking child' refers to a child who is curious, expressive, or communicative about their needs, which is considered a sign of healthy development and clarity.

This expression describes an act of futility or foolishness. In the past, people chewing betel leaves would need lime (sunnam). It is impossible for a person walking on the ground to reach someone high up on an elephant to ask for or receive lime. It is used to mock someone who makes impractical requests or expects help from people who are physically or socially out of reach at that moment.

This proverb refers to the difficulty of convincing someone who is intentionally pretending to be ignorant or indifferent. While a person who genuinely doesn't know something can be educated, it is impossible to reason with someone who knows the truth but chooses to ignore it for their own reasons.

* Sandhed er en suur Kost. 29

This proverb is used to warn against being overly generous or yielding to every demand. It suggests that if you fulfill every request without discretion, the resources or wealth will be depleted quickly and without leaving a trace, often implying that the recipient will not value it or will waste it.

This expression is used to describe people who have a temporary or fleeting connection to a place, project, or situation. It implies that transient visitors or those without a permanent stake will not invest effort, time, or resources into improving or maintaining something they do not own or intend to stay with for long.

This expression describes an absurd or impossible request made at an inappropriate time or situation. Lime (sunnam) is typically used for chewing betel leaves and is carried in small containers. It is illogical to stop someone high up on an elephant to ask for something so trivial and physically difficult to reach, signifying a lack of common sense in making requests.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy, stingy, or exploitative, particularly someone who seeks to benefit or make a profit even from a tragic or pathetic situation. It refers to taking advantage of someone else's misfortune.