ఆకలి అయినవాడు ధర చెడగొడతాడు

This proverb is used to explain that nothing is achieved or gained without asking or putting in the necessary effort. Even those who care for you most may not fulfill your needs unless you express them. It is commonly used to motivate someone to speak up for their rights or requirements.

This proverb highlights how different lifestyles require different behaviors to maintain integrity. For a householder (Samsari), constant travel or wandering leads to the neglect of family and responsibilities, leading to ruin. Conversely, a monk (Sanyasi) is expected to wander and preach; if he settles in one place for too long, he may develop worldly attachments or laziness, which ruins his spiritual path.

This expression suggests that if many people say the same thing, it gains credibility and is accepted as the truth or the norm. It emphasizes the power of collective opinion and social consensus. It is used to indicate that when a majority agrees on a matter, it carries significant weight and should be respected or taken seriously.

This proverb describes a hypocritical or foolish person who spends lavishly on grand public displays or outsiders to gain status, but neglects the basic needs of his own family members. It highlights the irony of seeking external prestige while being stingy at home.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is already in a difficult or tight situation but tries to take on additional, unnecessary burdens or responsibilities that make the situation impossible. It mocks people who lack the capacity to manage their basic needs yet aspire for grand, cumbersome status symbols or extra tasks.

This proverb emphasizes the virtues of gratitude and hard work. It suggests that a mother's blessing and the rewards of agriculture (cultivating the land) are the most reliable foundations for a successful life. It is used to highlight that devotion to one's parents and an honest living through nature or labor will always provide security and prosperity.

This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of hard work, specifically in agriculture. It suggests that while farming may not make one instant royalty, honest labor in the fields will never lead to one's downfall or absolute ruin. It encourages persistence and the belief that self-employment through land will always provide a livelihood.

This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.

This expression describes the unpredictable nature of life, especially regarding financial or food security. 'Dharana' refers to fasting or self-restraint (often due to lack), while 'Parana' refers to the meal that breaks a fast or a feast. It is used to describe someone whose circumstances fluctuate between periods of scarcity and abundance, or simply the ups and downs of life's fortunes.

A precarious subsistence. Change of fortune is the lot of life. To-day a king, to-morrow nothing. (French.)

This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of agriculture. It suggests that hard work in farming consistently provides a livelihood and never leads to a person's downfall. It is used to encourage people to trust in honest labor and the fertility of the land.