కత్తి మెత్తనా అత్త మంచీ లేదు.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe situations where something is inherently harsh or impossible to find. Just as a blade cannot be soft by its very nature, the proverb suggestively reflects the stereotypical historical tension in households where a mother-in-law is never satisfied with her daughter-in-law, no matter how hard she tries.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for permission or proposes something that is obviously beneficial or desirable to the listener. It highlights a rhetorical question where the answer is an emphatic 'yes' because the outcome favors everyone involved.

This proverb suggests that just as softness is expected in some contexts, in administration or leadership, being too 'soft' or lenient leads to a loss of respect. It implies that a ruler or person in power must be firm to maintain order, otherwise, the subjects or subordinates will disregard their authority.

This proverb highlights that no matter how powerful, talented, or destructive a person or thing may be, they generally do not cause harm to their own support system, family, or source of existence. It is used to describe loyalty to one's roots or the natural instinct to protect what sustains you.

This traditional proverb suggests that certain things are inherently difficult or bitter by nature. Just as the neem tree is known for its bitterness, the mother-in-law relationship was historically viewed as naturally contentious or stern in traditional households. It is used to describe situations where a positive outcome or a pleasant personality is considered impossible due to the inherent nature of the person or role.

This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.

This proverb is equivalent to 'don't cry over spilled milk'. It is used to suggest that once something has happened or a mistake has been made that cannot be undone, there is no use in feeling regret or sorrow about it; instead, one should move forward.

Normally used in comforting someone, the statement indicates that acceptance of what befalls one is a positive attitude. Worrying about what is unavoidable serves no purpose. One should realize what will be, will be.

This is a traditional proverb used to describe situations or people that are inherently difficult or bitter by nature. Just as the neem leaf is naturally bitter and cannot be made sweet, the proverb suggests that the relationship with a mother-in-law is traditionally fraught with friction and cannot be expected to be perfectly smooth or 'sweet'.

Vēmu is the Azadirachta Indica. She is well married who has neither mother-in-law nor sister-in-law. (Spanish.)*

This traditional proverb highlights the stereotypically harsh relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in olden times. It suggests that just as a sword is inherently sharp and never soft, a mother-in-law is inherently demanding and lacks patience toward her daughter-in-law. It is used to describe situations where someone is naturally stern or an environment that is unforgiving.