ఎరువులేని పైరు, పరువులేని రైతు.

This proverb highlights that certain things are useless or ineffective without their essential qualities. Just as a field cannot yield good crops without fertilizer (nutrients), a river loses its purpose or identity if it has no flow or momentum. It is used to describe situations where a core component is missing, making the whole entity pointless.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their self-respect, reputation, or dignity. It implies that for someone living without honor, it makes no difference where they are or how they are treated, as they are effectively dead to society while still physically alive.

This proverb highlights the importance of rules, leadership, and discipline in a community. Just as a lake without a boundary or embankment cannot hold water and will eventually go dry or cause destruction, a village or society without moral or legal constraints will fall into chaos and ruin.

This expression describes a futile or useless effort. Just as crops cannot grow in salty/barren soil and farming is impossible without a water source, starting a project without the necessary resources or foundation will lead to certain failure.

This proverb highlights the essential requirements for survival and productivity. Just as a crop cannot grow or yield without a supply of water, a manual laborer or farmer cannot function or stay healthy without their basic morning sustenance (ambali). It emphasizes that ignoring basic needs leads to inevitable failure.

This expression describes a situation where efforts are completely wasted. Just as plants cannot grow in saline/barren soil and farming is impossible without water, it refers to embarking on a project or investment that is destined to fail due to a lack of fundamental resources or a poor environment.

This expression is used to describe a situation or person that is completely helpless, weak, or nearing their end because they lack the essential support or resources needed to survive. Just as a crop cannot grow without water and a lamp cannot burn without oil, a person or project cannot succeed without basic necessities.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of using fertilizers or manure in agriculture. It suggests that if a farmer neglects to enrich the soil, the crop will inevitably fail, leading to poverty and hunger. It is used to highlight that success requires the right inputs and preparation.

This expression describes a situation where one is forced to seek a loan or credit during a time of extreme scarcity or crisis. It signifies an act of desperation or a burden upon an already struggling person, as borrowing during a famine is difficult to repay and even harder to obtain.

This proverb highlights the danger of negligence and lack of discipline. Just as a loose tucking of a garment can lead to embarrassment and a house without a lock is an invitation to thieves, a person without self-control or a system without security is prone to failure and ruin. It is used to advise someone to be firm and secure in their actions.