Bad Company

This expression is used to describe someone who offers unsolicited advice or unasked-for information. It refers to a person who habitually interferes in others' business or talks too much about things that weren't even brought up, much like a talkative character who narrates their story without any prompt.

This proverb is used to describe someone who gets excited, prepares, or makes plans based on someone else's actions or achievements, even though they have no direct involvement or benefit from it. It highlights unnecessary meddling or premature expectations.

This proverb suggests that things or relationships that are not suitable for you or cause discomfort should be discarded or kept at a distance. It is used to advise someone to let go of unnecessary burdens, incompatible people, or situations that do not serve their well-being.

This proverb advises against traveling with people who might slow you down or bring trouble. A person in debt might be stopped by creditors, causing delays or embarrassment to the companion. Similarly, in ancient times, walking with someone wearing sandals while you were barefoot (or vice-versa) created a mismatch in pace and social comfort. It is used to suggest that choosing the right company is essential for a smooth journey or venture.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something excellent, noble, or divine is ruined by the presence of something unpleasant, harmful, or inferior nearby. It highlights the contrast between greatness and a nuisance.

Being together makes one absorb the ideas of the other to the extent that there appears total transformation in both. This is usually when the change is not for the better.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a guest or a temporary person creates more trouble or makes more demands than a permanent resident. Horse gram takes a long time to cook (representing the patience of the permanent resident), while sesame seeds pop and finish quickly (representing the fleeting but demanding nature of a temporary visitor). It is often used to comment on people who stay for a short duration but cause significant inconvenience.

This expression refers to people who are never satisfied and will find a way to exploit or bother you regardless of your status or condition. It is often used to describe toxic environments or manipulative individuals who harass others whether they are doing well (prosperous/fat) or struggling (weak/thin).

This expression is used to describe a person who enters a group or a household and causes constant friction, disputes, or divisions among the members. Just as a porcupine quill is said to cause irritation or bad luck in a home according to folklore, this refers to someone whose presence is destructive to harmony.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is hyperactive, meddling in everyone's business, or trying to be present everywhere at once. It often refers to someone who neglects their own responsibilities at home while staying busy with communal affairs or wandering around aimlessly participating in every local event.

This expression is used to describe two people or things that are equally bad, useless, or mischievous. It implies that there is no difference between them as they are both 'two of a kind' or 'birds of a feather.' It is commonly used when comparing two people who are colluding in a wrong act or are equally incompetent.

This proverb highlights the importance of social support and emotional bonds. It suggests that staying in a place where no one protects or supports you is problematic, just as it is futile and dignity-diminishing to expect or ask for help from one's parental home if the family members there lack genuine love or the intent to give.

This expression implies that in a place of great value or among people of high character, one does not find cheap or inferior things. It is used to suggest that noble families or virtuous environments do not produce mean-spirited or worthless individuals.

This proverb describes a situation where two people are perfectly matched in their eccentricities or flaws. 'Somidevamma' refers to a woman who is always curious or nosy about others' affairs, and 'Vadhyari' (teacher/pedant) refers to someone who loves to lecture or explain things unnecessarily. It is used to mock a pair that deserves each other because their habits complement one another's annoyances.

This expression refers to fair-weather friends or opportunistic people who do not offer genuine help. It describes a situation where people encourage you as long as things are going well (keep stretching), but as soon as you stumble or face a setback (slip), they indifferently tell you to just fall down instead of helping you up.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and the danger of depending on unreliable sources. Relying on someone who owes you money (a debtor) to fund your shopping at a market is risky as they may fail to pay. Similarly, relying on a secret lover for protection or company at a public fair is unwise as their commitment is often unstable or hidden. It serves as a warning against putting one's trust in people who lack accountability or official obligation.

This proverb suggests that even a small group of women gathering to talk can lead to more trouble or complications than a larger group of men. It is often used to describe situations where gossip or excessive discussion among a few people creates unnecessary problems or ruins the original plan.

This proverb is used to mock someone who constantly travels back and forth as a mediator or a busybody, often in a suspicious or unethical context. It implies that just as a pimp relies on constant movement to conduct business, some people are perpetually in motion for trivial or dubious reasons.

This is a combination of two common Telugu sayings. The first part, 'Durasha dukhanki chetu', means that excessive greed inevitably leads to misery. The second part, 'Dushtunni chuchi duranga tolagali', advises that it is wise to avoid and keep a distance from evil or malicious people rather than confronting them, as their association only brings trouble.