కుంటి ఎద్దు రానిదే దూలం ఎత్తరు

This proverb is used to describe situations where one shouldn't have to pay or seek permission for using their own resources, or when someone expects payment for helping their own family or close ones. It emphasizes that it is unnecessary or absurd to charge for services within a household or for things one already owns.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is offered a false choice or a choice that makes no difference. Since there is only one ox, it must occupy the central position in the yoke regardless; asking whether it should be on the left or right is redundant and meaningless. It highlights unnecessary questioning or offering options when there is actually no alternative.

This proverb suggests that it is better to take a longer, safer, and more reliable route (or method) rather than a shortcut that is dangerous or difficult. It emphasizes choosing safety and certainty over speed.

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 used to describe a perfect match or a situation where everything is equally poor or matched in quality. It often implies that there is no difference between two options or entities, as they share the same characteristics (good or bad).

This proverb describes a situation where a specific person or thing is used as an excuse to delay or stall a collective task. It refers to people who wait for a particular individual (who might be slow or unreliable) to arrive before starting work, essentially procrastinating or justifying inaction.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of elders in a family. It suggests that without the guidance, wisdom, and discipline provided by older family members, a household becomes chaotic, unorganized, and lacks direction, much like a barn full of unruly animals.

This proverb highlights the difficulty and inefficiency of trying to complete a major task without the necessary resources or help. Just as farming requires a pair of oxen to be effective, attempting it with one ox forces the farmer to exert extra physical effort, leading to pain and exhaustion. It is used to describe situations where a lack of support makes a job unnecessarily hard.

This expression describes a person who speaks harshly or bluntly but possesses a very kind, compassionate, and gentle nature internally. It is used to characterize someone whose outward behavior might seem rude or strict, yet their intentions and character are deeply caring.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue advantage of a person's kindness or submissiveness. It warns against exploiting a person's gentle nature or patience to an unreasonable or harmful extent.