తానుండేది దాలిగుంట పట్టు, తలచేవి మేడా మాళిగెలు

This proverb is used to describe a person who lives in extreme poverty or humble conditions but has unrealistic, grandiose ambitions or speaks of luxury far beyond their reach. It highlights the disparity between one's reality and their fantasies.

This expression refers to someone who is extremely lazy or deeply settled in a comfortable spot and refuses to move. It is used to describe a person who lacks ambition or is overly attached to their current comfort, similar to a dog that curls up in the warm ash of a fireplace and stays there all day.

This expression refers to creating unrealistic plans or daydreams that have no solid foundation. It is used to describe someone who is being impractical or overly idealistic about the future without taking any concrete action.

This expression emphasizes that one must have the necessary means, resources, or internal drive to achieve their desires. It suggests that success doesn't happen in a vacuum; you must 'have' or 'possess' the foundation to reap the fruits of your labor.

This expression refers to things that are useless or serve no practical purpose, despite being part of the structure. Just as the fleshy appendages on a goat's neck or the growths on top of a palm tree produce no milk, this phrase is used to describe redundant features, useless efforts, or people in positions of authority who have no actual power or utility.

This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot break their habits or keeps returning to the same place or behavior due to their inherent nature. Just as a dog always seeks the warmth of the ash-pit (daaligunta) despite being shooed away, some people repeatedly succumb to their weaknesses or old patterns.

Something is better than nothing. It is used to suggest that having a small or humble possession/alternative is preferable to having nothing at all, similar to the English proverb 'Half a loaf is better than no bread.'

Half a loaf is better than no bread.

This proverb emphasizes the unique importance of a mother's care and nurturing. It suggests that even the smallest presence of a mother is more valuable for a child's upbringing and emotional security than the presence of a powerful or physically strong father.

This expression describes someone who is extremely lazy, stubborn, or settled comfortably in a place they refuse to leave, even if they are in the way. A 'Daligunta' is a pit used for warming or slow-cooking with husks; a dog lying there enjoys the warmth and becomes very reluctant to move.

This expression refers to a situation where two parties exchange places or switch roles, often resulting in both being out of their natural or comfortable element. It describes an unnecessary or mismatched swap where the change doesn't benefit either side, similar to 'the grass is always greener' mentality leading to poor decisions.