లెక్కలు చూసేవాడికి ఒక్క పగలూ లేదు

This proverb is used to describe a situation where small-minded or insignificant people criticize or mock someone far superior or powerful. It implies that the superior person (the elephant) is unaffected by the noisy, futile criticisms (the barking dogs) and continues on their path with dignity.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is asking the wrong people for information or help. It mocks the absurdity of asking a busy person in a crowded place (like a pilgrimage) or a distracted person (a flirt) for specific details they wouldn't know. It highlights a lack of common sense in seeking assistance.

This proverb is used to describe how people tend to appreciate the value of someone or something only after they are lost. It highlights the human tendency to ignore virtues during a person's lifetime but praise them excessively once they are gone.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to disguise their extreme poverty or lack of resources as a voluntary religious or disciplined act. It highlights a scenario where everyone in a family is starving not out of choice or devotion, but out of sheer necessity, while the speaker tries to put a dignified 'fasting' label on it.

This expression means that when a person gets deeply involved in accounting, financial details, or complex calculations, they often become mentally exhausted, confused, or even a bit eccentric. It is used to describe the mental strain and frustration that comes with managing intricate finances or dealing with stressful bookkeeping.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

This proverb describes the reality of social bias or favoritism. It means that people are often treated based on their status, appearance, or perceived importance rather than equality. Rewards or hospitality are often adjusted according to the social standing of the recipient.

This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or resources are best managed by those who have a keen eye for them. A woman is believed to be very efficient at spotting and gathering small resources like fish from a pond, leaving nothing behind. Similarly, a man is believed to be thorough in harvesting or guarding a threshing floor. It is used to describe situations where a resource has been so thoroughly picked over or managed by an expert that nothing remains for others.

This proverb highlights the difference between hollow arrogance and actual status. It is used to describe a person who is overly conceited or 'high-headed' (dimaku) without any real accomplishment, contrasting them with someone who actually holds a position of importance but is more grounded or observant.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.