ముళ్ళె పట్టిన చీమవలె

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is suffering or in trouble but cannot cry out for help or complain because doing so would reveal their own wrongdoing or secret. Just as a thief cannot scream when stung by a scorpion while hiding, the person must endure their pain in silence.

This proverb advises adaptability and acceptance of circumstances. It suggests that if something can be extended or managed, do so; but if a situation becomes uncontrollable or a failure is inevitable (like slipping), one should accept the outcome rather than struggling pointlessly. It is often used to describe going with the flow or being practical about one's limitations.

This expression is used to convey that individuals are ultimately responsible for their own actions and will face the consequences of their wrongdoings themselves. It is often said when someone is acting unjustly, suggesting that one doesn't need to intervene because karma or their own mistakes will eventually catch up to them.

This proverb emphasizes that quality matters more than quantity. Just as a tiny seed has the potential to grow into a massive tree, a small amount of goodness or a single positive action can have a significant and lasting impact. It is used to encourage people that even small contributions or virtuous acts are valuable.

This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.

This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the reward of hard work. It suggests that one should work with extreme humility and diligence (like a servant) in order to eventually enjoy a life of luxury and comfort (like a master/lord). It is used to encourage someone to put in hard effort now for a better future.

This expression is used to describe something that is held very tightly, securely, or a situation where there is no room for movement or escape. It often refers to a steadfast commitment or a physical grip that cannot be loosened.

This expression is used to describe a situation or a place that is completely overgrown, cluttered, or overwhelmed by something undesirable that is difficult to remove. In an agricultural context, 'malle' refers to a specific type of invasive weed that chokes the main crop, symbolizing a mess that requires significant effort to clean up.

Literally referring to the Mimosa pudica plant, this expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive, shy, or gets easily offended or hurt by even the slightest comment or touch.

This expression describes items or individuals that are in their most effective or dangerous state. Just as a knife is most useful when sharpened (tari), a person (historically used in the context of a captive woman or 'kutthi' meaning a young woman/slave) is most vulnerable or completely under someone's control. In modern usage, it highlights the peak state of readiness or the absolute influence one holds over something.