నా మొగునికి నాపై ప్రాణం, నాతెచ్చె మెడకు ఊనం

This proverb highlights the vital importance of certain elements to an entity's existence. Just as an elephant depends entirely on its trunk for survival and strength, a household's prosperity (Sri) is believed to reside in and depend upon the character, conduct, and well-being of the woman of the house.

This expression emphasizes the importance of a signature or an official mark on a paper. It means that without a signature, a letter, contract, or note has no legal or practical value, much like a body without a soul. It is used to stress the need for formal authentication in documentation.

This proverb is used to warn against the dangers of being overly hesitant, polite, or unable to say 'no' (Mogamatam). It suggests that excessive politeness in situations where one should be firm can lead to disastrous, irreversible, and shameful consequences. It is used to advise someone to be assertive when necessary to protect their own interests.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely cunning, slippery, or argumentative. It refers to someone who can twist any situation or argument to their advantage, making it impossible to pin them down or hold them accountable. It depicts a 'shifty' character who always finds a loophole or a way to deflect blame.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was living peacefully unnecessarily invites trouble or creates complications for themselves. It is similar to the English idiom 'To look for trouble' or 'To invite a headache'.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is vastly different in scale or nature from what was actually requested, usually due to a lack of understanding or excessive, misdirected effort. It highlights the mismatch between the instruction and the execution.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or wisdom, whose poorly thought-out actions eventually result in a disaster or a huge mess for themselves or others.

This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.

This expression signifies that while a person may physically pass away, their virtuous deeds, character, and legacy live on forever in the hearts of others. It is used to emphasize the immortality of a good reputation.

This proverb refers to a situation where a solution or a device intended for help becomes a burden or a source of trouble. It describes an unnecessary or tightening complication in a process that should be simple, much like a rope intended for churning becoming a noose.