తల నరకడానికీ, మొల నరకడానికీ తారతమ్యమేమిటి?

This expression describes how association with good or noble people can influence and improve the character of an ordinary person. Just as the plain fiber used to tie a garland eventually smells like the fragrant flowers it holds, a person gains good qualities by being in good company.

This expression is used to indicate that one cannot find goodness, peace, or noble people in a place filled with evil or chaos. It suggests that a person's environment dictates what one can expect to find there, or that a divine/pure soul would not be found in a sinful or wretched situation.

This proverb highlights that hard work in preparation (plowing) is useless if the final execution or the core quality of the input (sowing/seeds) is flawed. It is often used to emphasize that the most critical part of a task determines the success, regardless of how much effort went into the preliminary stages.

This proverb warns that harboring enmity or living with an active grudge is inherently dangerous and stressful. Just as one can never be at peace or safe in a house where a venomous snake resides, a person living with a rivalry or hatred is always under the threat of harm and lacks mental peace.

This expression warns about the consequences of lack of self-control in speech. Once a word is spoken (crosses the tongue), it cannot be taken back and can lead to trouble or ruinous consequences. It is used to advise someone to think carefully before speaking.

This is a rhythmic folk saying or a tongue twister emphasizing that certain things (originally referring to stains on clothes or tough situations) need to be handled thoroughly from both sides to be resolved. In a modern context, it is often used as a playful rhyming phrase or to suggest that one should be relentless in tackling a problem.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone foolishly rewards or empowers the very person who is causing them harm or destruction. It highlights the irony and stupidity of helping one's own enemy or benefactor of one's downfall.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to achieve something impossible or attempting to extract something from a source that has nothing to give. It characterizes a task that is extremely difficult, futile, or involves dealing with a very stubborn and heartless person.

To milk a he goat. (Latin.)*

This expression is used to describe something that is only named after a quality it does not actually possess. In Telugu, 'Nethi Beerakaya' (Silk Gourd) has 'Neyi' (Ghee) in its name, but contains no actual ghee. It is applied to people or things that are deceptive in their titles, descriptions, or claims.

Nēti bīrakāya is the ghî cucumber. Grand in name but not worth anything. *Cleco è l'occhio, se l'animo è distrutto.

This expression highlights the fundamental characteristics of the afterlife realms in Hindu mythology: Hell (Naraka) is a place of absolute punishment where no sympathy is shown, while Heaven (Nakalu/Swarga) is a place of eternal life where the concept of mortality does not exist. It is used to describe situations of extremes or the inevitable nature of certain environments.