పీనుగుకు చేసిన శృంగారం నగిరికి చేసిన కొలువు

This proverb emphasizes that just as a fort protects and dignifies a town, a quick and fitting reply (repartee) adds grace and completeness to a conversation. It is used to highlight the importance of effective communication and responsiveness in dialogue.

This proverb is used to express that doing a favor for someone who is inherently jealous or hostile (often referring to rival family members or 'palivaru') is a waste of effort. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because it cannot appreciate or return the gesture, helping an ungrateful or malicious rival will never result in gratitude or a positive outcome.

This proverb contrasts poverty and prosperity. It suggests that a person who lacks resources often resorts to complaining or seeking sympathy (crying) to gain attention, whereas a person with wealth or resources finds joy and pride in their family and possessions (children/stomach). It is used to describe how people's behaviors and sources of pride differ based on their socio-economic status.

This expression refers to a situation where a lot of effort, money, or energy is spent on something that is already useless or dead. It describes a futile act or an event where there is no appreciation or benefit, as the recipient is unable to enjoy or respond to the efforts made.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of wit and timely responses in a conversation. Just as a fort provides grandeur and protection to a settlement, an apt and quick-witted reply enhances the quality and elegance of a dialogue.

This proverb highlights the feelings of guilt and shame. Just as a person who owes money avoids the lender out of embarrassment, a person who has done something wrong lacks the courage or confidence to face others directly. It is used to describe the loss of dignity or boldness resulting from wrong actions or financial burdens.

This expression refers to a futile or meaningless action. It describes an effort that is wasted because the recipient or the situation cannot benefit from it, just as makeup or jewelry is useless on a dead body.

This expression refers to a wasted effort or a pointless celebration. Just as organizing a grand festival or carnival for a dead person is useless and provides no benefit to the subject, it describes actions taken or resources spent where they are completely unappreciated or ineffective.

A vain ceremony.

This proverb describes efforts or investments that yield no results or benefits. Just as staying awake (vigil) for a dead body serves no purpose and feeding a barren cow results in no milk, it is used to describe wasted labor or futile actions.

This expression is used to question someone who tries to find a positive or justifying excuse for every insult or bad behavior directed at them. It highlights that no matter how one tries to dress it up, an insult remains an insult.