కవ్వం కదురు తిరిగిన ఇంట కరువులేదు

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely lazy or lacks initiative. It refers to a person who, when given a large task (circling the village), performs the smallest, most effortless version of it (circling the grinding stone inside the house) and claims they are finished.

This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of life and traditional social security. It means that just as seasons change and rain eventually brings relief to a drought, a hardworking husband provides stability and ensures that his family does not suffer from extreme poverty. It suggests that patience and a supportive partner are key to overcoming difficult times.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb highlighting the importance of growing hardy millet crops. It suggests that these crops are reliable and provide food security even during tough times, ensuring that the household never faces hunger or poverty.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of manual labor, productivity, and the cottage industry. It suggests that as long as one is hardworking and stays engaged in productive work (symbolized by the spinning spindle), they will not suffer from poverty or hunger.

This proverb highlights the importance of traditional household industry (spinning) and dairy farming (churning). It means that when people are hardworking and productive in their basic trades, society remains peaceful, stable, and economically sound.

This expression is used to describe a person who suddenly turns hostile or betrays someone they were previously loyal to. Just as a porcupine is dangerous to touch, a formerly loyal person who turns against you becomes an extremely difficult and prickly enemy to handle.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and industry. The 'spindle' represents weaving/tailoring and the 'churning stick' represents dairy/agriculture. It means that as long as one remains productive and works diligently in their vocation, they will never face starvation or scarcity.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and self-sufficiency. The 'spindle' represents weaving/textile work, and the 'churning stick' represents dairy/farming activities. It suggests that as long as one is industrious and keeps working at their traditional crafts or trades, they will never face poverty or hunger.

This proverb emphasizes that when you stand your ground and face a problem or an enemy bravely, they lose their power to harm you. It is used to encourage courage and resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that fear attracts more trouble while confrontation can end it.

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.