రాక్షసికి నరమాంసం ముద్దు, పండుకోతికి పుండుముద్దు

This proverb highlights the human tendency to cherish secondary outcomes or subsequent generations more than the original source. Just as a moneylender might value the accumulating interest over the original capital, grandparents often feel a deeper, more indulgent affection for their grandchildren than they did for their own children.

This proverb describes a situation where an elderly person becomes overly attached to or obsessed with someone or something unsuitable or inappropriate for their age. It is often used to criticize elderly men who pursue younger women, or more broadly, to point out the irony of developing new, intense cravings at a late stage in life when they should be focused on other matters.

This expression highlights how people favor those who align with their personal interests or bring them status. In a traditional household, a daughter-in-law's position is strengthened by her son, while a mother-in-law often favors her son-in-law as he is a guest and a reflection of her daughter's well-being.

This expression is used to suggest that a diet rich in protein (specifically meat) promotes physical growth and body weight. It is often cited in discussions about nutrition or body building to emphasize that consuming animal flesh helps in building one's own muscle and mass.

This proverb describes how people find value and companionship in lesser things when the most desired or ideal thing is missing. In a house without children, a cow calf is treated with love like a child. In a house with no assets or livestock at all, even a buffalo calf is considered a great treasure. It is used to highlight how one's circumstances define the value of what they possess.

This proverb highlights how people's preferences or attachments change with age or vulnerability. It suggests that someone in a weak or advanced stage of life finds comfort or affection in things that others might overlook or find plain, often implying that simplicity or basic companionship becomes more valuable than vanity in one's later years.

* On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif. † Man kan nœde en Mand till at blunde, men ikke til at sove.

When a person is suffering, the other person is pleased. It shows the extreme inhumanness of certain people. Even if one cannot help others in their difficulties, at least they should not derive pleasure out of them. (If in the interrogative mudda, it signifies that one doesn’t care for another’s pain. Even that attitude is undesirable.)

This proverb reflects a common human bias and double standard within families. It highlights how parents often overlook their own child's faults (viewing them with affection) while being overly critical, dismissive, or insensitive toward their daughter-in-law's efforts and intelligence.

This expression refers to a small problem that becomes much larger and uncontrollable due to constant meddling or aggravation. Just as a monkey cannot stop scratching its wound until it becomes a severe, unhealable sore, some people make their troubles worse by obsessing over them or interfering unnecessarily.

This proverb describes how different characters handle trouble. A monkey makes its wound worse by constantly picking at it (Brahma-Rakshasa refers to something uncontrollable). Similarly, the hidden malice or suppressed anger of a deceptive, silent person (nalimuchu) is even more dangerous and agonizing, like a jagged saw. It is used to warn that small problems or quiet people can become extremely destructive if mishandled.