కులం కట్టు కలం పట్టు

This expression emphasizes the importance of physical health and self-reliance. It implies that as long as a person is physically capable and mobile, they can work, earn, and sustain themselves without depending on others.

This expression is used to offer comfort and hope during difficult times. It signifies the transient nature of problems, suggesting that just as joy is temporary, suffering and struggles will also eventually pass and are not permanent fixtures in one's life.

This expression refers to internal conflicts or domestic feuds that lead to the complete destruction of one's own family or group. It originates from the Mahabharata, where a structural iron bolt (musalam) led to the infighting and eventual demise of the Yadava dynasty. It is used to describe a situation where a small internal issue escalates and ruins everyone involved from within.

This expression is used to describe a situation where mutual interests, particularly regarding power or conflict, lead to an alliance. It suggests that once people recognize each other's strength or engage in a common struggle, they are more likely to form a cooperative bond or partnership.

This expression means that one's speech should be precise, brief, and very clear, similar to the clean and smooth cut of a sharp pair of scissors through silk fabric. It is used to advise someone to be straightforward and articulate without unnecessary ambiguity.

This expression means that as long as a person is physically healthy and capable of working, they can sustain themselves and live independently. It is often used to emphasize the importance of health and self-reliance in old age, suggesting that life is manageable as long as one is not bedridden or dependent on others for basic movement.

This expression is used to describe an absurd or mismatched combination where something very beautiful, expensive, or high-quality is wasted on or attached to something lowly, ugly, or insignificant. It highlights the incongruity and pointlessness of such an arrangement.

The grand appearance of a worthless person. A leaden sword in an ivory scabbard.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone commits a mistake or falls into bad habits and consequently forgets their roots, values, or original identity. It specifically refers to how a single improper act or a lapse in judgment can lead to a complete loss of self-respect or social standing.

This expression is used to mock people who argue over trivial matters or status when their actual behavior or situation doesn't warrant such importance. It suggests that certain disputes or social distinctions are unnecessary and ridiculous in specific contexts, much like dogs fighting over hierarchy is pointless to human eyes.

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.