ఊర్మిళ నిద్ర

This proverb highlights the instability and unpredictability of powerful people (lords/masters) and nature. Just as the shade of a tree moves as the sun changes position, the favors or moods of those in power are never constant and cannot be relied upon for long-term security.

This proverb highlights contrasting lifestyles or work ethics. It describes someone who is always active, spontaneous, or ready to move instantly like a deer, versus someone who is lazy, sedentary, or falls asleep instantly wherever they land like a pig. It is often used to comment on someone's restless nature or their extreme laziness.

This proverb is used to describe a state of extreme poverty or starvation. It suggests that the stove (hearth) hasn't been lit for so long that it has become cool and comfortable enough for a cat to sleep in it, indicating no food has been cooked in that house for a long time.

* L'âne du commun est toujours le plus mal bâté, † Abblamo pur florini che troveremo cugini.

Refers to a state of deep, long, or heavy sleep from which a person is very difficult to wake up. It originates from the Ramayana character Kumbhakarna, who was known for sleeping for six months at a time. It is used to describe someone who sleeps excessively or is extremely lazy.

This proverb means that basic human needs or essential functions are not hindered by certain physical disabilities or superficial flaws. It is often used to suggest that despite having a major defect, one's natural requirements or fundamental comforts remain unaffected.

This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand, impossible promises or creates beautiful illusions to deceive others. It refers to the act of painting a false, rosy picture to manipulate someone into believing a lie or a dream that will never come true.

This expression is used to describe something or someone that looks very attractive, impressive, or high-quality on the outside but is empty, flawed, or useless on the inside. It is often used to criticize superficiality or deceptive appearances.

This expression refers to a lifestyle where one relies entirely on charity or public institutions for basic needs like food and shelter. It is used to describe someone who lives a carefree, nomadic, or irresponsible life without personal assets or a permanent home, often implying they have no familial or financial burdens.

This expression describes a person who lives a carefree, irresponsible, or nomadic lifestyle without any domestic stability or worries. It refers to someone who eats whenever they find food (stored in an 'Utti' or rope-net basket) and sleeps wherever they happen to be in the village, essentially living without any definite home or plan.

This expression is used to describe a person who appears very calm, innocent, or silent on the surface but possesses great depth, hidden strength, or potential danger. Just as a river looks still while having a powerful current underneath, it refers to someone whose true intentions or capabilities are not immediately visible.