పలుకు తేనెపట్టు, పిడికిలి కోతిపట్టు

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 proverb describes a situation where an attempt to gain extra profit (interest) leads to the loss of the original investment (principal). It is used when a risky move backfires so badly that one loses everything they started with, rather than just failing to make a profit.

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 expression is used to mock someone who pretends to offer hospitality or perform a task while lacking any of the necessary resources or genuine intention to do so. It describes a situation where instead of providing comfort at home, the host suggests a shortcut that makes the guest do all the work, reflecting empty promises or extreme lack of preparation.

This expression is used to describe an irrelevant, trivial, or petty interruption during a grand, serious, or spiritual discussion. It highlights the absurdity of bringing up insignificant matters when something of great importance is being addressed.

This proverb refers to traditional preferences in village life: a barber's razor or tools are considered better when they are 'old' (well-seasoned/tested), whereas a washerman is judged by how 'new' (clean/fresh) the clothes look. It is used to describe how different professions or situations require different standards—some value experience and age, while others value freshness and appearance.

This proverb means that one may work hard to accumulate wealth or resources, but often someone else (an outsider or an unexpected person) ends up enjoying them. It is used to describe situations where a person's toil benefits others instead of themselves, much like how a traveler takes the honey a bee spent its life collecting.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape one problem or danger, seeks help from an even worse or more unreliable source. It highlights the foolishness of choosing a remedy that is as bad as or worse than the original trouble.

This expression refers to rhythmic folk songs sung by women while performing manual labor, particularly grinding or pounding grain. It signifies the coordination, tradition, and the way music eases the burden of repetitive physical work.

This expression is used to describe an irrelevant, trivial, or petty interruption during a grand or important event. It highlights the absurdity of focusing on insignificant matters when something significant or sacred is taking place.