నవాబంత దరిద్రుడు, పులి అంత సాధువు

This proverb warns against making assumptions based on appearances or temporary states. A powerful person (lord), even if currently lacking funds, still possesses influence and status. Similarly, an ox, no matter how calm it seems, is fundamentally a powerful animal that can become unpredictable or dangerous at any moment. It teaches us to respect inherent nature and power.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.

This expression suggests that a person who has absolutely nothing to lose is free from the anxieties and worries that come with protecting wealth or status. It is used to describe a state where poverty, while a hardship, brings a certain level of mental peace because there is no fear of loss or theft.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where person who is already struggling with limited resources or misfortune ends up with more burdens or responsibilities that further complicate their life. It highlights the irony of how difficulties often seem to multiply for those who can least afford them.

This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.

This refers to the bad luck of an unfortunate person. When one is in misery, additional troubles come upon one and make one’s life more miserable.

This expression is used to describe an impossibility or a deceptive situation. Just as it is contradictory for a Nawab (a wealthy ruler) to be poor, or for a tiger to be a gentle creature, it implies that the person or situation being discussed is fundamentally the opposite of what is being claimed.

This expression is used to describe a person who appears mild-mannered or harmless on the outside but is actually dangerous, cunning, or highly capable like a tiger. It refers to 'wolves in sheep's clothing' or someone who hides their strength and aggression behind a polite facade.

This proverb is used to describe someone who, despite having long-standing experience in a state of lack or misfortune, still manages to be clumsy, greedy, or inefficient when an opportunity finally arises. It often refers to someone who doesn't know how to handle a situation even after being in it for a very long time, or someone whose deep-rooted habits make them over-eager in a way that is counterproductive.

This proverb is used to comment on how those with the least resources often face the most additional burdens or responsibilities. Historically, it reflects the observation that poverty and large families often went together, but in a modern context, it is used more broadly to describe a situation where someone who is already struggling is further overwhelmed by more problems.