పరుగెత్తు పందకు కాంతలతోడి చింతయా

This expression describes a person who is hypocritical or double-dealing. It refers to someone who pretends to be a friend to both sides of a conflict, or someone who tries to support opposing interests simultaneously for their own benefit.

This proverb highlights that basic survival and the struggle for sustenance are the most significant and constant burdens a person can face. It emphasizes that hunger or the lack of resources to eat outweighs all other worldly concerns.

This proverb highlights the immense value and comfort of a simple, wholesome meal like dal-rice (pappannam). It is used to describe how someone is willing to go to great lengths or travel long distances for something they truly cherish or find satisfying, often used in the context of food or simple pleasures.

This proverb is used to express skepticism toward someone who thinks they can achieve practical results through mere words, empty talk, or supernatural claims without putting in the necessary physical effort or logical action. It implies that certain outcomes require hard work and cannot be obtained through shortcuts or magic.

This proverb emphasizes that it is better to do things slowly, safely, and correctly than to rush through something high-value or complex and risk failure. It highlights the importance of stability and patience over a hurried pursuit of success.

This satirical proverb describes someone who is extremely inefficient or slow despite having plenty of time. Even though she started her chores at dawn (when the crow caws), she managed to cook poorly and was still rushing frantically to serve the meal by sunset (when the cattle return). It is used to mock people who waste time and create unnecessary chaos at the last minute.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely lazy, sluggish, or unresponsive person. Just as a heavy rainfall cannot move a massive, stationary hill, no amount of motivation, pressure, or change in circumstances can make a fundamentally idle person act or change their ways.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person in extreme danger or emergency does not care about superstitions, omens, or minor obstacles. 'Vaarashoola' refers to an astrological belief that traveling in certain directions on certain days is unlucky. The saying suggests that when survival is at stake, such trivial rules are ignored.

This expression describes a situation where a person who is already working hard or performing well is given even more work or pressure, while those who are idle are ignored. It is used to highlight the tendency to overburden the efficient.

This proverb describes someone who completes the hardest part of a task or a long journey successfully, but fails, panics, or acts foolishly at the very last moment. It is used to critique lack of endurance or composure during the final stages of an endeavor.