కూడు ఉంటే కులగోత్రాలెందుకు

This proverb emphasizes that if one has effective communication skills or the ability to speak up, they can survive and thrive anywhere. It highlights that being vocal and persuasive helps a person find support, resources, and a place in society.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and preparedness in agriculture and life. Just as having water is useless for farming without seedlings ready to plant, having resources is ineffective if you aren't prepared to utilize them. It is used to suggest that one should be ready to act when the right conditions or opportunities arise.

This proverb is used when someone makes a mistake or causes damage while performing a simple task and tries to justify it or shift the blame. It highlights that being given a responsibility does not give one the license to be reckless or destructive. It is often used to criticize someone who oversteps their bounds or acts carelessly while doing a favor.

This proverb describes a relationship where two parties know each other's secrets, habits, and history intimately because they spend all their time together. It is used to suggest that one cannot hide anything from a close associate or that those who work closely together have a deep, mutual understanding of each other's affairs.

This proverb is used to describe predators or exploiters who wait for the right moment to strike. Just as a wolf studies the habits and backgrounds of both the sheep and the shepherds to find a weakness, cunning people observe their targets and their protectors to find an opportunity to take advantage of them. It highlights that an enemy's interest in your details is usually for malicious purposes.

This proverb is used to say that outward appearance, expensive clothing, or displays of wealth do not determine a person's character, family status, or nobility. Just because someone wears fancy clothes doesn't mean they possess high virtues or a respected heritage.

This proverb highlights the essential elements required for sustenance and prosperity. Just as water is the lifeblood of a village for survival and agriculture, a woman's presence and care are considered the vital foundation that turns a mere house into a nurturing home.

This expression is used to describe a person who is habitually malicious or someone whose primary intent is to create rifts and chaos in others' stable lives. It highlights a character that takes pride in being a home-wrecker or a source of trouble for happy families.

This proverb highlights the folly of prioritizing caste-based pride or prejudices over one's own survival and basic needs. It warns that while a person might sacrifice their livelihood (koodu) to uphold caste rigidity, the caste community as an entity will not provide for them when they are hungry. It is used to advise people to prioritize practical necessities and humanity over social divisions.

This proverb is used to describe intense rivalry or enmity between paternal cousins or relatives (dayadi). It suggests that the jealousy or malice of a relative is as destructive and burning as a fire, capable of destroying one's house or life without needing an actual spark.