అల్లుడికి వండిన అన్నము కొడుకుకు పెట్టి కొట్టుకొన్నదట

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. In olden days, slaked lime (sunnam) was used as a basic first-aid to stop bleeding from minor cuts. The saying implies the person is so greedy that they won't even provide a worthless bit of lime to help someone in pain.

A heartless man.

This expression is used to highlight hereditary traits, behaviors, or similarities between a father and his son. It implies that the son is naturally expected to behave exactly like his father, whether in a positive sense (excellence, skill) or a negative one (stubbornness, bad habits).

Like father, like son. Such a father, such a son. (Portuguese.)* He is his father's son. (Latin.)†

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes an outsider or a distant relative over their own family, only to end up losing everything. It highlights the folly of misplaced priorities and the resulting regret when a primary responsibility is neglected for a secondary one.

This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.

This proverb emphasizes the virtue of gratitude and loyalty. It suggests that it is a great sin or an act of extreme betrayal to harm or cheat someone who has helped or supported you during your time of need.

Kannam is a hole made by burglars in the wall of a house.

This proverb highlights that fate or luck favors two extremes: either those who have nothing to lose and must work extremely hard (the widow's son) or those who are born with immense privilege (the king's son). It is used to describe how people at the very bottom of the social ladder and the very top often end up being the most successful or influential, albeit for different reasons.

In Telugu culture, sons-in-law are traditionally treated as honored guests with lavish meals and extra care. This proverb humorously points out that such extravagance is unsustainable for everyday family members. It is used to caution against excessive spending or over-pampering someone within the household to the point of financial ruin.

This proverb emphasizes that relying on a single resource or individual is risky. Just as a single tree cannot provide the shade or abundance of an entire forest/grove, having only one child (in a traditional context) or one plan was seen as precarious because if that one fails, there is no backup or support system.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily invites trouble or creates a headache for themselves by their own actions or choices. It is similar to the English expression 'to go looking for trouble' or 'asking for it.'

* Alterâ manu scabunt, altera ferunt.

This proverb is used to describe someone who inadvertently reveals a secret or exposes their own guilt while trying to answer a simple question. It refers to a situation where a person's guilty conscience or preoccupation with a hidden act leads them to give an irrelevant, self-incriminating answer.