పిల్లకు సొమ్ము పెట్టి చూడు, గోడకు సున్నము పెట్టి చూడు.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. In olden days, slaked lime (sunnam) was used as a basic first-aid to stop bleeding from minor cuts. The saying implies the person is so greedy that they won't even provide a worthless bit of lime to help someone in pain.

A heartless man.

This proverb highlights the two most challenging, resource-intensive, and complex tasks in a person's life: constructing a home and organizing a marriage. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, patience, and financial strain involved once they personally undertake these responsibilities.

This proverb describes investments or expenses that yield no return. Just as whitewash stays on the wall and cannot be reclaimed, money spent on fleeting pleasures or unproductive people is lost forever. It is used to warn someone about wasting resources on things that provide no long-term value or recovery.

This proverb highlights the dual purpose of investing in gold or jewelry. While it serves to enhance one's appearance (beauty), it also acts as a financial safety net that can be sold or mortgaged during difficult times or emergencies. It is used to justify the practice of buying jewelry as a form of saving.

This proverb is used to warn against spending money on useless or unproductive pursuits where there is no chance of recovery. Just as lime becomes part of the wall and cannot be reclaimed, money spent on fleeting pleasures or with untrustworthy people is gone forever.

This proverb describes a situation where resources (money or effort) are spent with no possibility of recovery or return. Just as you cannot retrieve whitewash once it is applied to a wall, money spent on fleeting, unproductive pleasures or given to unreliable people is gone forever. It is used to warn someone about wasteful expenditure.

This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.

This proverb highlights that building a home and organizing a marriage are the two most challenging and resource-intensive tasks in a person's life. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, financial strain, and unforeseen difficulties involved once they actually undertake these responsibilities.

This proverb emphasizes the virtue of gratitude and loyalty. It suggests that it is a great sin or an act of extreme betrayal to harm or cheat someone who has helped or supported you during your time of need.

Kannam is a hole made by burglars in the wall of a house.

This proverb is used to mock people who have very little but show off excessively. It compares someone wearing a beautiful saree (who has a right to be graceful) to someone wearing a mere piece of cloth or a rag but acting overly proud or vain. It highlights the irony of arrogance in those with meager means or status.