I need help on social studies homework...?

it's about indian proverbs. i'm supposed to guess what each one means. i was doing this for 3 hours and i have NO answers. help?

#1. if the heart be impure, all actions will be wrong.

#2. by words he softens minds, but words will not soften rice.

#3. sand sharpens a knife; a stone the axes; good words a good man; a thrashing a rogue.

#4. the sieve says to the needle, you have a hole in your tail.

#5. pull the ear, the head follows.

#6. even a holy cow, if found in the company of a stolen one, may be impounded.

#7. one knows the horse by his ears; the generous by his gifts; a man by laughing; and a jewel by its brilliancy.

#8. a hero's word and an elephant's teeth remain fixed.



if you think you know what any one means, please tell me!

i'd really appreciate it.

thanks.
I need help on social studies homework...?
#2. Telling yourself that you will do something over and over will make you feel better, but it won't get a job done.

#6. Even you didn't have the idea, if you go along with a bad plan (stealing, etc etc.)... when you get caught, you too will be punished.

#7. People judge a book by its cover. That's just life.



That's what I think of them. :]
Reply:#1 means that if you do a good thing for the wrong reasons, then it's still wrong.

#2 means you can't argue with reality. You just have to accept that things are the way they are.

#3 means exactly what it says.

#4 means don't be a hypocrite. Look at your own faults before you start criticising somebody elses'.

#5 means when you do something, there will be consequences for it.

#6 means don't hang out with bad people, or you might get blamed and even punished for things you didn't do.

#7 means there are certain basic facts about people or things that will never change.

#8 means a good man keeps his promises.