వాళ్ళు పొయ్యి గడ్డల (పొయ్యి రాళ్ళ) వలె ఉన్నారు

This expression is used to describe something that is completely obvious or redundant. Just as it is common knowledge that chickens have wings and palm trees (or ropes/cables in some dialects) lack anatomical parts like udders, it refers to stating the obvious or describing a situation where everything is exactly as expected, often used in a sarcastic tone regarding redundant observations.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a single person is held responsible or made to bear the brunt of both successes and failures, or where one person is blamed for everything that goes wrong. It refers to a merchant (Shetty) who is expected to accept both good and bad coins (or transactions) in his business dealings.

A fool travelling with a Šetti [ merchant ] was plundered. On the robbers' questioning the genuineness of the coin, the man referred to his rich friend who had up to that time escaped their observation. To injure a friend unwittingly, from stupidity. * Men moet de koe wel melken maar de spenen niet aftrekken. † Bon sang ne peut mentir.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a weak foundation or a person lacking inherent capability produces poor or insignificant results. Just as a plant without strength cannot produce healthy branches, an individual without the necessary skills or resources cannot achieve significant progress or meaningful outcomes.

This expression is used to describe things that are completely natural, obvious, or inherent to a situation. It points out that certain characteristics are just the way things are, often used to dismiss a silly question or to highlight a self-evident truth.

Domestic fowls make no use of their wings, and the flower-stalk ( spadix ) of the palmyra bears no fruit. Useless possessions.

This expression is used to describe how bad things, parasites, or opportunistic people are naturally drawn to filth, corruption, or moral decay. Just as flies are inevitably attracted to a vessel full of dirt or garbage, negative consequences or bad company will always surround a person or a situation that is inherently 'unclean' or unethical.

This proverb is used to explain that people are not all alike. Just as the five fingers on a single hand vary in size and strength, individuals within a family, a group, or society have different capabilities, personalities, and social statuses. It is often used to counsel against making generalizations or to express that inequality is a natural phenomenon.

This expression advises maintaining a balanced, steady, and disciplined lifestyle regardless of life's ups and downs. It suggests that one should navigate through time with equanimity, neither getting too excited during good times nor too despondent during bad times, emphasizing the importance of stability and perseverance.

This expression describes people who waste their energy and time fighting over trivial, worthless, or insignificant things. It is often used to mock unnecessary conflicts where the prize has no real value.

This expression describes people who engage in senseless or petty quarrels over things that are worthless or irrelevant. It originates from the imagery of someone fighting over the stones used to build a temporary cooking stove, which are easily available and hold no real value.

Pokkaṭi Rāḷḷu are three clods of earth, or round stones used as a tem- porary fire place. Quarrelling for something of no value.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a weak or insignificant person stays close to a powerful person to feel important, or to describe a constant, annoying presence that bothers someone much more powerful than themselves.