“dalawa ang kaliwang paa”

kamay na bakal

iron fist, strict rule

namamangka sa dalawang ilog

playing both sides

walang usok kung walang apoy

there's no smoke without fire

Matigas ang ulo

Stubborn; doesn't listen.

mataas ang lipad

ambitious, aiming high

Bukas-palad

Very generous.

Ubos-ubos biyaya, bukas nakatunganga

Don't waste everything now; think of tomorrow.

tuso man ang matsing, napaglalangan din

even the clever get tricked