ముంత మూతికట్టు, సంచి సభ కట్టు

This proverb highlights the power of material wealth and influence. 'Money organizes an assembly' means that wealth can gather people and command respect or power. 'A morsel shuts the mouth' refers to the idea that providing someone with basic needs or a bribe can silence their criticism or opposition.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of boundaries and rules. Just as a field requires a bund (gattu) to retain water and protect the crop, a community or village requires collective discipline and social order (kattu) to function harmoniously and remain united. It is used to stress the need for regulation in any organized system.

Just as a field requires a boundary (bund) to retain water and prevent soil erosion, a community or village needs a set of rules, unity, and discipline to function effectively and protect its members. It emphasizes the importance of boundaries and regulations for order and prosperity.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone approaches another person for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their actual need. It highlights the irony of intending to ask for something while concealing the very tool or reason needed to receive it.

Poverty and pride.

This expression refers to hypocrisy or ungratefulness. It describes a situation where someone enjoys the benefits or hospitality provided by another (the food on the plate) but speaks ill of them or behaves in a cheap, sycophantic, or deceitful manner afterwards. It is used to criticize people who are double-tongued or those who do not show proper respect to their benefactors.

This proverb highlights social prejudice and how the same thing is perceived differently based on a person's status or wealth. If a wealthy or influential person does something, it is praised or seen as a luxury; if a poor person does the same, it is dismissed or looked down upon.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of keeping one's financial status and personal habits private. Just as money is kept secure in a bag and food is concealed while chewing, one's wealth and personal affairs should not be displayed or discussed openly to avoid unnecessary trouble or envy.

This proverb is used to criticize someone's lack of discrimination or common sense when dealing with things they value or sentimental items. It implies that just because something belongs to or comes from a beloved source (like a mother's home), it doesn't mean it should be used inappropriately, wasted on something undeserving, or handled without logic.

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 expression is used to describe a futile, impossible, or extremely difficult task. Just as it is impossible to pack or tie water into a bundle with a cloth, this phrase refers to situations where efforts are wasted on something that cannot be contained, managed, or achieved.