రంభ చెక్కిలి కొట్టి రాట్నము తెచ్చినట్టు

This proverb highlights the destructive nature of greed and malice. It implies that being overly obsessed with money leads one to commit sinful acts, while harboring negative intentions or bad thoughts eventually leads to one's own downfall or misfortune. It is used as a moral warning to maintain integrity and a positive mindset.

This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a great or sacred journey (or takes on a significant opportunity) but returns with something worthless or engages in something trivial and disgraceful. It highlights the irony of wasting a valuable opportunity or a holy pilgrimage by focusing on or bringing back something foul.

This expression is used to question how someone or something already of superior quality, status, or beauty could be considered lacking in any way. It implies that perfection needs no further validation or enhancement.

This proverb highlights the subjectivity of taste and authority. It means that power and personal affection define value. If a king approves of something, it becomes the rule or truth; similarly, if a man loves his wife, she is as beautiful as a celestial nymph (Rambha) to him, regardless of others' opinions.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a massive amount of effort or travels a long distance only to return with something useless, non-existent, or disappointing. Since donkeys do not lay eggs, it highlights the futility and absurdity of a wasted journey or endeavor.

An absurd exploit. * Chi bestia va à Roma bestin retorna.

This proverb emphasizes that material wealth (represented by the Navaratnas) is secondary to the presence of a virtuous, capable, and loyal human being. It suggests that a person's character and the presence of good people in one's life are more valuable than any amount of riches.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's own actions or attempts to solve a problem backfire, causing them self-inflicted harm or trouble. It is similar to the English idiom 'to dig one's own grave' or 'to shoot oneself in the foot'.

* Plega l'albero quando à giovane. † Gammel Green bryder nær den skal boles. Le fou cherche son malheur.

This proverb is used to describe someone who goes on a long, arduous journey or undertakes a significant task, only to return with something trivial, worthless, or useless. It highlights the irony of putting in great effort for a meaningless result.

Great labour and small results.

This expression describes the folly of seeking expert services or high-quality judgment in an unqualified place when a center of excellence is easily accessible. It is used when someone ignores a superior resource nearby and chooses an inferior one instead.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily invites trouble or creates a headache for themselves by their own actions or choices. It is similar to the English expression 'to go looking for trouble' or 'asking for it.'

* Alterâ manu scabunt, altera ferunt.