సందు దొరికితే చావడి కొట్టం చంకన బెట్టినట్లు

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is in a position of loss or risk, and they should be content with whatever they can recover or save. It also implies that for a person with bad intentions, even a small gain is a victory. It is often used to suggest that one should settle for whatever is available rather than risking everything for more.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of children in making a house feel like a home. It suggests that without the joy and activity of children, a house feels empty, desolate, and lacks the sanctity or warmth of a family dwelling, resembling a public shelter or an animal shed instead.

This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.

This expression is used to describe people who take undue advantage of one's kindness, friendliness, or leniency. It suggests that if you are too approachable or fail to set boundaries, others may become over-familiar or disrespectful, crossing their limits.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite a great loss or failure, something of significant value is still recovered. It highlights the idea that even in destruction, some inherent worth remains. It is often applied to wealthy people or great institutions that, even when ruined, still retain some of their former glory or assets.

This proverb describes people who, after being granted a small favor or a foot in the door, gradually demand more or take complete control. It is used to warn about opportunistic people who exploit initial kindness to gain a larger foothold.

This proverb describes a person who becomes overly arrogant, showy, or boastful over a small achievement or a newly acquired status/possession. It is used to mock someone who is behaving with excessive pride or showing off in an undignified manner.

This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.

This proverb highlights the traditional belief that children bring life, joy, and a sense of family to a home. Without them, a house feels empty, impersonal, or noisy without purpose, much like a public resting place (chavadi) or a shed for animals.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.