బోటికి నీటు - కూటికే చాటు

This expression is used to signify that all the hard work, toil, and various struggles a person undergoes in life are ultimately for basic sustenance and survival. It is often used to express a sense of humility or philosophical resignation regarding the grind of daily life.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the income or result from a project is barely enough to cover the basic expenses or survival costs, leaving no room for profit or savings. Historically, farming in the Kolleru lake region was unpredictable due to floods, often yielding just enough to eat.

This expression is used to describe someone who claims to eat very little (has a throat as narrow as a needle) but grows as large as a demon, or more commonly, someone who pretends to be very frugal or modest while actually being extremely greedy or having insatiable desires.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is very friendly and talkative but avoids being hospitable or sharing food. It refers to a person who is happy to host a conversation but expects others to provide the meal or resources. It highlights a one-sided relationship or stinginess disguised as friendliness.

This expression emphasizes the impermanence of material wealth and life itself. It is used to suggest that neither riches nor the person who earns them are eternal, often encouraging a sense of humility, detachment, or philanthropy over greed.

This proverb is used to describe a person who returns to something they once rejected or discarded with disgust. It highlights a lack of self-respect or dignity when someone seeks out a thing, person, or position they previously deemed worthless or beneath them.

This proverb refers to the intense, suffocating heat experienced during the 'Krittika Karthe' (a specific period in the lunar calendar, usually in May). It describes a situation where the weather is so hot and humid that it feels as though someone is literally squeezing or choking your throat, making it difficult to breathe or stay comfortable.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to gain from two different options but ends up losing both due to indecision, poor planning, or greed. It is similar to the English idiom 'falling between two stools.'

This proverb reflects on the ultimate simplicity and transience of life. It emphasizes that despite one's wealth, achievements, or surplus, the basic necessity remains food, and the final destination for everyone is death. It is used to counsel humility and to remind people not to be overly greedy or proud of their possessions.

This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reward of labor. It means that as long as a person is willing to work hard and put in the effort, they will never have to worry about basic necessities like food. It is used to encourage industriousness and self-reliance.