అన్నము పెట్టినవారిల్లు కన్నము పెట్టవచ్చునా?

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 proverb highlights how external adornments can dramatically enhance natural beauty. Just as a plain wall looks bright and beautiful after being whitewashed, a girl looks exceptionally radiant when adorned with jewelry. It is used to describe the transformative power of decoration and grooming.

This proverb describes a situation where resources (money or effort) are spent with no possibility of recovery or return. Just as you cannot retrieve whitewash once it is applied to a wall, money spent on fleeting, unproductive pleasures or given to unreliable people is gone forever. It is used to warn someone about wasteful expenditure.

This proverb is based on the traditional Indian habit of chewing betel leaves (paan), which requires slaked lime (sunnam). Traditionally, lime production was a sign of a prosperous or active settlement. Metaphorically, it implies that if basic social or infrastructural necessities are missing in a place, one cannot expect to find sustenance or a livelihood there. It highlights that certain conditions must be met for a community to thrive.

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 virtues of motherhood and charity. It suggests that those who perform selfless acts—such as raising children or helping the needy—will always be blessed, protected, and will never face total ruin in life due to the good karma they have accumulated.

This proverb highlights the historical and cultural importance of lime (chunam) in rural India, where it was traditionally consumed with betel leaves after a meal. It implies that if a village is so impoverished or lacks basic amenities that even simple lime (for betel nut) is unavailable, it is unlikely that one can find a proper meal there. It is used to describe a place of extreme scarcity or poverty.

This proverb is used to criticize people who claim credit for fulfilling their basic, mandatory personal or family responsibilities as if they are doing a great service to society. It highlights that taking care of one's own household is a duty, not a public act of charity.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

This is a popular Telugu proverb used to express faith in divine providence or nature. It implies that the creator who gave life to a creature will also provide the necessary means for its sustenance. It is often said to reassure someone who is worried about their future or survival, suggesting that basic needs will inevitably be met.