సోదికి పోతే సుద్దులకు కొదవా

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone minimizes the value of a lost or broken object. When the object was available, it was treated as something small or insignificant (likki), but once it is lost, the owner exaggerates its value or utility, claiming it was a much more important tool (sickle). It highlights the human tendency to overvalue things only after they are gone.

This expression is used to question someone's true motives or priorities. It highlights a situation where a person claims to be attending an event for its primary purpose (like a religious festival) but is actually more interested in secondary benefits or personal gains (like the free food).

This proverb highlights the infinite nature of human desires and needs. Just as there is always something missing on a dinner plate (leaf) and family problems are never-ending, no external person can ever truly resolve or fulfill every deficiency in one's personal or domestic life. It suggests that contentment must come from within as external needs are perpetual.

This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and self-reliance. It means that as long as a person is willing to put in physical effort and work hard, they will never have to worry about basic necessities like food. It is used to encourage someone to be industrious rather than lazy or dependent on others.

This expression describes the behavior of people who are inconsistent or opportunistic in their relationships. It refers to someone who treats you as a useful friend (small tool) when they need something, but acts sharp or hostile (sickle) when they don't, or someone whose stance changes drastically based on availability and convenience.

Refers to outdated, repetitive, or trivial advice and stories that lack practical relevance in modern times. It is often used to describe someone rambling about the past or giving unsolicited, old-fashioned counsel.

This expression is used to describe people who come up with many excuses, stories, or elaborate explanations to justify their actions or cover up their mistakes. Just as a fortune-teller (Gadde) has an endless supply of predictions and tales to tell a client, a person who is making excuses will always have another story ready.

This proverb implies that when a person in a position of high authority or power decides to cause harm or create trouble, they have endless means to do so. It is used to describe situations where someone powerful can easily punish or harass others at their whim.

This proverb highlights that personal needs and family responsibilities are endless and subjective. Just as one can always find a reason to say their meal plate (vistari) isn't full enough, family problems (samsaram) are continuous and internal; no outsider can truly resolve or fully satisfy these perennial lacks.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to fix a trivial or minor problem, but in the process, they inadvertently expose much larger, hidden, or embarrassing secrets. It warns that sometimes the cost of seeking a solution for a small matter can be the revelation of major past mistakes.