పాత పని పట్టకురా, పల్లెకు దొంగవు కాకురా

This proverb is used to signify that no matter how powerful, wealthy, or high-ranking a person becomes in the outside world, their relationship and status remain humble and basic within the family, especially towards their parents. It emphasizes humility and the importance of roots.

This proverb describes a person who boasts or maintains high appearances (symbolized by the slightly more 'sophisticated' Malabar spinach) despite their actual circumstances being humble or common (represented by the everyday Amaranth). It is used to mock people who act superior but live ordinary lives, or those who pretend to be picky about things they cannot afford.

This proverb suggests that wealth hoarded by a greedy or miserly person, who refuses to spend it on themselves or for good causes, will eventually be taken away by others (like thieves) or wasted by circumstances. It emphasizes the futility of extreme hoarding.

This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the law of karma and the importance of caution. It means that if you try to harm someone else, you will eventually face harm yourself. Similarly, if you act in haste or without thinking, you will inevitably meet with failure or accidents. It is used to advise people to be ethical and deliberate in their actions.

This expression is used to describe the vigor and energy of youth. It implies that during one's prime age, even a tough or 'crunchy' meat like duck can be easily digested and enjoyed. It signifies that everything seems favorable and manageable when one is young and healthy.

This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.

This proverb serves as a dual warning about morality and impulsiveness. It teaches that causing harm to others will eventually result in one's own downfall (karma). Additionally, it cautions against acting in haste or without foresight, as rushing recklessly leads to failure or mistakes. It is used to advise someone to be ethical and patient.

This proverb is used to defend someone's character when they find something by chance rather than stealing it. It suggests that finding lost property accidentally does not make a person a criminal or a thief.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's responsibilities. Just as a lazy person who consumes resources without contributing is a burden to their family, a person who evades taxes is considered a criminal against the government or society. It is used to highlight that negligence of duty is a form of dishonesty.

* Dat is het ambacht van dikken Michiel: drinken, eten, en wandelen.

This expression emphasizes that every place or person has their own distinct importance, status, and rules. It is used to suggest that one should not compare things that are fundamentally different in scale or nature, or to imply that everyone is a 'king' in their own territory.