ఆపస్తంబులా ఆశ్వలాయనులా అంటే, ఆపస్తంబులమూ కాము, ఆశ్వలాయనులమూ కాము, అప్పారావుగారి హర్కారాలము అన్నారట

This proverb suggests that searching for the lineage or starting point of certain things is futile or inappropriate. A sage is judged by their wisdom, not their birth; a river is judged by its utility, not its source; and a woman's character or status should be respected regardless of her past or family background.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely argumentative, contrary, or perverse. When one person suggests a basic starting point or a cause (root), the other person immediately suggests destroying it or going to the opposite extreme just to be difficult.

This expression emphasizes that certain things are incomplete or lack beauty without their essential adornments. Just as a pond looks barren without a lotus flower, a face/mouth is traditionally considered to lack grace or festive spirit if it hasn't partaken in 'Tambulam' (betel leaves and nuts), which is a symbol of auspiciousness and social culture in Telugu tradition.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely hypersensitive, hypercritical, or impossible to please. It depicts a situation where even the most innocent or sacred words (like 'Narayana') are deliberately misinterpreted as offensive or negative by someone looking for an excuse to find fault.

Faults are thick where love is thin. (Welsh.)

This proverb is used to suggest that appearances can be deceiving or that certain social labels are not always what they seem. It implies that cows, while appearing docile, can be unpredictable or aggressive when provoked, and Brahmins, despite traditionally appearing poor or simple, often possess hidden intellectual or social wealth.

* MÉTROY ἐδώρ πίνοντες ἀμέτρως μάζαν ἐδούτες. 2 ( 9 )

This proverb satirically describes a person who pretends to surrender everything to a teacher or mentor but remains deeply attached to their physical comforts and material possessions. It is used to mock hypocritical devotion or someone who talks about sacrifice but keeps the most important resources for themselves.

This expression describes a situation where two incompatible or disparate things are mixed together, resulting in something nonsensical, chaotic, or ineffective. It is used to mock an absurd combination or a compromise that makes no sense. (Note: 'Gushwam' is a portmanteau word created from 'Gurram' (horse) and 'Ashwam' (another word for horse/donkey context) to highlight the absurdity.)

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task or offers something in a clumsy, improper, or unorganized manner due to a lack of preparation or transparency. It implies doing something secretly or without proper visibility, often leading to mistakes or poor quality.

This humorous proverb is used to describe people who lack knowledge of their own traditions, roots, or identity. Apasthamba and Ashwalayana refer to Vedic schools (Sutras), but the characters in the saying confuse these scholarly lineages with their manual labor job under a local employer. It is used to mock ignorance or the loss of cultural identity in favor of mundane or materialistic pursuits.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks even the most fundamental skills or knowledge but demands the highest recognition or priority. In traditional gatherings, the 'Agrataamboolam' (first offering of betel leaves) is reserved for the most learned or respected individual; the irony here highlights the person's arrogance or unrealistic expectations despite their incompetence.