గోదావరి పారినా, కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్లే!

This expression is used to describe a situation where a minor or insignificant person attempts to claim equal importance or status with someone of great stature by performing the same action. It highlights the vast difference in magnitude despite the similarity in the act itself.

This proverb highlights the folly of relying on weak or incompetent means to achieve a monumental or difficult task. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river, choosing the wrong person or tool for a major responsibility will inevitably lead to failure.

This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or limited capacity. It suggests that even if someone is surrounded by immense wealth or opportunities, they will only benefit or behave according to their character, destiny, or petty habits. It highlights that abundance does not change a person's basic traits or their way of life.

This proverb is used to describe a foolish or futile attempt to achieve a massive goal using unreliable or insufficient means. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a large river, relying on weak or incompetent support for a difficult task will inevitably lead to failure.

This expression refers to a situation where the reward is high but requires significant effort or risk to achieve. It originates from the practice of cattle swimming across the Godavari river to reach fertile island pastures (Lanka) for grazing. It is used to describe jobs or tasks where one must work extremely hard or face dangers to reap the benefits.

This expression describes a situation where someone relies on a weak, unreliable, or incapable person/resource to overcome a massive challenge. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to failure.

This proverb describes a situation where a person is so vulnerable or inherently flawed that any misfortune, regardless of where it strikes, affects their most basic stability. It is often used to refer to people who are already in a weak position, where any further trouble only worsens their existing plight.

This proverb suggests that even when resources or opportunities are abundant, a person's gain is limited by their own capacity, character, or destiny. It is often used to describe someone who cannot benefit fully from great wealth or status due to their inherent limitations or poor habits.

* Il n'y a pire eau que l'eau qui dort.

This proverb describes a person's inherent nature or destiny that limits their ability to enjoy abundance. Even when surrounded by immense resources or opportunities, someone with a narrow mindset or bad habits will only take what their limited character allows. It is used to suggest that some people never change their ways regardless of their circumstances.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a weak or unreliable person/method to achieve a massive task. Just as a dog is not a strong enough swimmer to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to certain failure.