గోటితో పోయే దానికి గొడ్డలి ఎందుకు?

This proverb highlights self-sufficiency and the absence of need. It suggests that if a person has very small needs, they don't need a partner to manage them, and if a person is strong enough to carry heavy loads themselves, they don't need external help like an ox. It is used to mock or point out situations where someone's extreme habits or capabilities make traditional supports redundant.

This proverb highlights the importance of effort and responsibility. It suggests that a person who is unwilling to perform basic labor or fulfill their duties does not deserve the rewards or status that come with them. It is used to mock lazy or incompetent individuals who demand privileges without doing the necessary work.

This expression is used to suggest that small problems should be solved with simple solutions rather than overreacting or using excessive force. It highlights the importance of efficiency and choosing the right tool or approach for the task at hand.

Unnecessary labour.

This proverb refers to a situation where a person from within a group or family assists an outsider in destroying their own community. It highlights how internal betrayal is the primary cause of a group's downfall, just as a wooden handle is necessary for an iron axe to chop down a tree.

This expression describes a situation where someone suddenly becomes humble, respectful, or starts calling an enemy 'brother' only when faced with an immediate, life-threatening danger or severe punishment. It is used to mock people who only show manners or submission when they are under duress.

This expression describes a lazy person who is always the first to show up when food or rewards are being distributed, but the last to volunteer or show up when there is actual work to be done. It is used to mock opportunistic laziness.

This expression is used to describe someone who tries to negotiate or compromise when they are asked to do something difficult or extreme. It refers to a person who, when told to fast completely (Lankanam) for health reasons, tries to negotiate down to a restricted diet (Pathyam) instead of following the full instruction.

This proverb lists things that are difficult to manage or recover once they have turned away. It implies that a mat that constantly rolls itself up is useless, a door that gets stuck closed is a hindrance, and a spouse who holds a long-term grudge makes domestic life unbearable. It is used to describe situations or behaviors that become stubbornly uncooperative or obstructive.

This proverb is used to describe a person who starts making foolish or disastrous decisions when their downfall or end is near. It suggests that when someone's time is up or fate is against them, their own intellect fails them, leading to self-destructive actions.

It is used when a thing is self-evident. There is no need for elaborate explanation for obvious facts; it will be belaboring the point.