Greed

This expression is used to describe how people naturally flock to a place or person where there is wealth, benefit, power, or some form of attraction. Just as flies are instinctively drawn to sweetness, people gravitate towards opportunities or individuals who can offer them something advantageous.

This is a popular proverb used to describe the primary motives behind most human disputes, wars, or rivalries. 'Kaanta' (woman/lust) and 'Kanakam' (gold/wealth) represent the two main worldly desires that lead to disagreements or violence throughout history. It is often cited when explaining the cause of a complex feud.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the person or entity responsible for protecting something is the one who ends up exploiting or destroying it. It is commonly applied to cases of corruption, breach of trust, or when authorities fail in their duties.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who spends excessively on unnecessary or inappropriate luxuries for a trivial or unworthy task. It highlights the mismatch between an inferior subject and a grand ornament.

This proverb warns that being overly greedy or ambitious often leads to losing even what one already possesses, resulting in total misery or lack. It is used to advise someone to be content and avoid the pitfalls of insatiable desire.

This proverb highlights how inefficiency and stinginess often backfire. A lazy person's procrastination leads to a backlog of tasks, making the eventual workload much heavier. Similarly, a miser, by trying to save small amounts through poor quality choices, often ends up paying more for repairs or replacements in the long run.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has extremely limited capacity or means but harbors impossibly large ambitions or greed. It highlights the stark contrast between one's actual abilities and their unrealistic expectations.

This proverb describes a situation where someone's kindness or humility is met with aggression or exploitation. It is used when an act of grace or respect is mistaken for weakness, leading the recipient to take undue advantage of the giver's goodness.

This proverb highlights how people tend to be reckless or extravagant when they don't have to pay immediately. It describes a situation where someone makes unreasonable demands or over-consumes simply because the goods or services are provided on credit (aruvu).

This proverb is used when a person has already compromised their principles, values, or hard work for something; in such a situation, they should at least ensure they get the desired result or benefit from that compromise. It is similar to the idea of 'if you're going to do something wrong or difficult, make sure it's worth the effort.'

This expression describes a situation where a person's greed or appetite exceeds their physical capacity. It is commonly used when someone serves themselves a large amount of food because it looks delicious, only to realize they are too full to finish it.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's excessive greed or over-ambition leads them to lose even the basic things they already possessed. It warns against being penny-wise and pound-foolish or taking unnecessary risks that result in total loss.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely stingy over small things but ends up suffering a massive loss due to that very greed or lack of foresight. It is used to critique someone who tries to save pennies while losing pounds, or whose stubbornness over a trivial matter leads to a total catastrophe.

This proverb describes a situation where someone gives completely irrelevant or non-sequitur answers to the questions asked. It is used to mock people who are preoccupied with their own thoughts (often related to business or greed) to the extent that they fail to listen to or engage with others properly.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is given a small favor or a bit of hospitality, but they take undue advantage of it and try to dominate or claim ownership of everything. It is used to criticize people who don't know their boundaries or who exhibit overbearing behavior after receiving a simple courtesy.

This expression is used to describe a person who, given an opportunity or access to a place, will naturally look for ways to fulfill their greed or take advantage of the situation. It implies that certain behaviors are predictable based on one's character.

This expression is used to describe someone who eats excessively or has an insatiable appetite. It compares the capacity of their stomach to that of a lake, implying it is unusually large or bottomless.

This proverb is used to describe people with massive appetites or those who commit large-scale corruption. It suggests that for someone accustomed to consuming or stealing on a grand scale, a small amount is insignificant or easily handled. It is often used sarcastically to point out the hypocrisy or greed of influential people.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely selfish and greedy, thinking only about personal gain even during a tragic situation like a parent's death. It is used to criticize someone who prioritizes trivial material possessions over relationships or mourning.

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.