రాజ్యాలు చెడ్డా లక్షణాలు చెడలేదు

This proverb highlights the societal tendency to overlook the flaws of a wealthy person and attribute great qualities to them solely because of their riches. It implies that wealth can mask many shortcomings and command respect regardless of a person's true character.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two parties are involved in a shameful or failed act, but they argue over who is more at fault or who lost more dignity. It highlights the irony of trying to claim moral superiority when both parties are already compromised. It is often used to mock people who bicker over trivial differences in their shared failures.

This expression is used to describe people who have lost their power, wealth, or status but still cling to their old ego, arrogance, or bossy behavior. It highlights the irony of someone acting superior despite no longer having the means or position to justify it.

This expression highlights the power and potential danger of speech. While listening to something bad is passive, speaking ill of someone or spreading rumors is an active, more harmful deed. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of what one says, as spoken words can cause more damage than what one simply hears.

This proverb describes a person who continues to exhibit their characteristic behavior (often arrogance, extravagance, or specific habits) even after losing their wealth, status, or power. It suggests that while external fortunes change, innate nature or ingrained habits remain the same.

This proverb describes a situation where people harm themselves more than others through their stubbornness or ego. A son-in-law staying away out of anger loses the hospitality/respect he would have received, and a daughter refusing food to protest only ends up hungry and weak. It is used to advise against cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a collaboration or a deal fails, and one party suffers a much greater loss or humiliation than the other, even though both were involved in the same act. It highlights disproportionate consequences in shared failures.

When a man asked a widow to lend him a pagoda, she said she would only do so on his paying her twenty-five per cent. discount. He complied, but never repaid the principal.

This expression means that a small flaw or a lapse in character can turn a virtue into a vice. It is used to caution people that maintaining one's good reputation or quality requires consistency, as even a minor deviation can lead to being perceived negatively.

There is a pun here on the word Lakshanam which as a noun signifies the ' rules of classic composition,' and as an adjective ' handsome.'—Ava- lakshanam means ' ugly,' ' deformed.'

This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the importance of ethics. It suggests that hard work in agriculture (or honest work) never leads to ruin, whereas earning through wicked means will never lead to a sustainable or happy life.

This proverb describes a person who has been consistently useless or unsuccessful throughout their life. It refers to someone who lacked stability or foundation in the past ('nadu') and shows no progress or elevation in the present ('nedu'). It is often used to critique someone's lack of growth or contribution over a long period.

Said by a man who had not experienced the ups and downs of fortune, but had remained in a mediocre state throughout his life.