రాయడి తలది, చాకలి మొలది.

Just as a lotus flower rises or adjusts its position based on the depth of the water it grows in, noble or great people demonstrate their excellence and virtues in proportion to the challenges or situations they face. It suggests that true character adapts and shines through regardless of the depth of the circumstances.

This proverb is equivalent to 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It signifies that the results or outcomes of any endeavor are directly proportional to the effort, quality, and preparation invested in it. It is used to remind someone that their success is a reflection of their own hard work.

This is a humorous and rhythmic proverb used to describe a situation where multiple people are involved in a process, but the final outcome is a loss or a mystery. It highlights how something can vanish or be mismanaged when passed through different hands, often used when assets or items are squandered through lack of accountability.

* Il n'est orguell que de pauvre enrichl.

This expression describes a situation where one solves a problem by creating another equally bad or inconvenient problem, or shifting resources from one essential place to another without any real gain. It is often used to criticize poor management or awkward solutions.

This proverb highlights that both a paddy sprout and a male child require constant care, protection, and nurturing in their early stages to ensure a productive future. Just as a young plant is vulnerable to pests and weather, a young boy needs proper guidance and safeguarding to grow into a responsible man.

This proverb is used to describe how a person's status, character, or achievements are often reflective of their environment, upbringing, or the resources available to them. It is frequently cited from Vemana's poems to suggest that one's greatness is proportionate to their inner depth and the company they keep.

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a simple piece of advice or a direct correction as an insult or a joke. It is used to mock people who are overly sensitive, defensive, or those who try to deflect their own shortcomings by involving others in a petty manner.

This expression is used to describe a completely illogical, foolish, or disproportionate solution to a problem. It refers to a situation where the remedy is worse than the disease, or when someone tries to fix a minor issue by causing a much larger, irreversible disaster.

This proverb refers to traditional preferences in village life: a barber's razor or tools are considered better when they are 'old' (well-seasoned/tested), whereas a washerman is judged by how 'new' (clean/fresh) the clothes look. It is used to describe how different professions or situations require different standards—some value experience and age, while others value freshness and appearance.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone solves one problem by creating another, or uses a resource meant for a fundamental necessity to satisfy a less critical need. It refers to poor planning or a makeshift solution that lacks common sense, as leaving the waist uncovered to cover the head is counterproductive.