రొయ్యకు లేదు బారెడు మీసం

This proverb describes a person who lacks practical life skills or common sense despite being physically grown or having significant resources. It is used to mock someone who is old enough or 'big' enough to be capable, yet remains helpless, lazy, or foolish in managing their own affairs.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, effort, or waste (represented by the long stalk) far exceeds the actual result, profit, or utility (represented by the small ear of grain). It signifies disproportionate effort or high maintenance for a very small return.

This proverb describes a situation where an accessory or a solution is disproportionately larger or more complex than the actual problem or the space it occupies. It is used to mock inefficiency, poor planning, or when something is overly cumbersome for its intended purpose.

This proverb is used to mock people who boast about their outward appearance or trivial attributes while lacking true character or courage. It highlights that physical features (like the long antennae of a prawn) do not signify merit or strength, as even a small creature can have longer 'whiskers' than a hero.

This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates their appearance or qualities, or to describe an awkward/disproportionate situation. It often refers to a person who makes a mountain out of a molehill, or someone who focuses excessively on minor embellishments while the core reality is different.

This expression is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or potential of things that are already lost or projects that have failed. Just as a child who died at birth is often remembered as being exceptionally healthy or large, people often overstate the greatness of 'what could have been' in hindsight.

This expression emphasizes that when a task is performed with patience, care, and kindness (without force or causing distress), it yields the best results naturally. It is used to suggest that gentle persuasion or a steady, painless approach often achieves goals more effectively than aggressive or forceful methods.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a significant disparity between the effort/status and the final result or reward. It specifically refers to someone having very long hair (a yard) but wearing a very short flower garland (a cubit), symbolizing inadequacy or a lack of proportion in decoration or appreciation.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or decorative aspects of something far exceed the actual core or essential part. It is often used to criticize someone who over-exaggerates their features, spends excessively on trivialities, or when the cost/effort of maintenance outweighs the value of the object itself.

This proverb highlights how small negligence or a minor initial damage can lead to a much larger disaster. In agriculture, it specifically refers to how a small breach in a water channel (eru) can quickly result in the total destruction of the field (kayya) due to the force of the water. It is used to advise people to address problems while they are still small.