కట్టిన ఇల్లు, పెట్టిన పొయ్యి

This proverb means that certain problems, weaknesses, or secrets are universal and exist in every household or for every person, regardless of how they appear on the outside. It is used to convey that one is not alone in their struggles and that human nature or domestic issues are the same everywhere.

Every man has his faults.

This expression describes an act that is counterproductive, harmful, or poorly timed. Just as dairy is traditionally avoided during a fever in Ayurveda and butter won't heal a deep head wound, it refers to actions that worsen a situation despite appearing like a gesture of care or help.

This expression describes a situation where everything is perfectly prepared and ready for immediate use without any effort from the newcomer. It is often used to describe someone who marries into a well-established, wealthy household where all comforts are already available, or a situation where one steps into a role where all the hard work has already been completed by others.

This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.

This proverb is used to describe a highly unstable, mismatched, or precarious situation. It refers to an impossible arrangement where both the foundation (the camel) and the burden (the pot) are restless or ill-suited, leading to inevitable collapse or failure. It is often applied to people who are constantly moving or situations that lack any sense of permanence.

This proverb is used to describe a person or a situation that still retains a distinct aura, reputation, or quality of their past glory even after the source of that glory is gone. Just as a cloth smells of asafoetida long after it is removed, or a stove smells of burnt sugar long after cooking, a person's previous status or character remains evident in their behavior.

This expression describes items or individuals that are in their most effective or dangerous state. Just as a knife is most useful when sharpened (tari), a person (historically used in the context of a captive woman or 'kutthi' meaning a young woman/slave) is most vulnerable or completely under someone's control. In modern usage, it highlights the peak state of readiness or the absolute influence one holds over something.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.

This proverb expresses faith in providence or destiny. It implies that the creator or the person who initiated a task will also take responsibility for its sustenance and well-being. It is often used to reassure someone that their basic needs will be met by the divine or by those who brought them into a certain situation.

Will God not support the creatures of his hand? Said by a man who has lost his means of support. God never sends mouths but he sends meat.

This proverb is used to describe a state of extreme distress, hopelessness, or a complete failure of systems. It originally refers to agricultural drought where neither the soil yields crops nor the sky yields rain, signifying a total lack of resources or support from any direction.