తవ్వగా తవ్వగా తథ్యం తేలుతుంది

This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline and integrity in one's life. It suggests that just as maintaining a strict diet is essential for physical health, adhering to the truth is essential for moral health. It is used to advise someone to remain committed to their principles and health habits regardless of temptations.

This expression is used to describe a person who provides demoralizing advice or works to discourage their own team from within. In the Mahabharata, Shalya served as Karna's charioteer but used the opportunity to constantly insult and demotivate him to aid the Pandavas. It represents psychological sabotage or negative guidance.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone starts a simple or necessary task but ends up facing an unexpected, significant problem or an unforeseen disaster. It highlights a scenario where a solution-seeking action inadvertently leads to more trouble.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one suffers a primary loss and is then forced to incur further expenses or troubles because of that loss. It is similar to the expression 'adding insult to injury' or 'to pour salt on a wound.'

This proverb describes the foolishness of starting preparations or seeking a solution only when a disaster has already struck. It highlights a lack of foresight and the futility of reactive measures that are too late to be effective.

This proverb highlights the importance of having experienced elders (like a grandmother) to manage and guide a household, just as a standard unit of measure (like the traditional 'thavva') is essential for accurate transactions. It signifies that wisdom and proper standards are foundational for a stable life.

This proverb is used to describe people who act arrogant or showy when things are easy, but quickly lose their confidence or 'shrink' when faced with actual pressure, heat, or difficulty. It highlights how false bravado disappears under testing conditions.

Just as a medicine is only effective when a strict diet (pathyam) is followed, speech only gains value and effectiveness when it is truthful. It emphasizes that integrity is as essential to character as discipline is to health.

This expression means that persistent investigation or deep questioning will eventually reveal the actual facts or the hidden truth of a matter. It is used in contexts where someone is encouraged to look beyond the surface to find the reality.

This proverb is used to point out that when a main task or a large investment fails to yield a result, a small extra effort or a trivial addition (tip/bonus) won't fix it. It highlights the futility of seeking small gains when the primary objective has already failed or is fundamentally insufficient.

* Tegen stromi is kwaad swemmen,