చేతులు చేయవు, నోరు తినదు

This proverb is used to describe a person who is very eager and cooperative when there is a benefit or reward (like food) but becomes resistant or difficult when it is time to work or be disciplined (like putting on a horse's bridle). It highlights opportunistic or lazy behavior.

This proverb describes a person who is eager and greedy for small, immediate benefits (represented by a handful of boiled snacks/guggillu) but remains silent or fails to act when there is an opportunity for a much larger gain (represented by the entire harvest at the threshing floor/kallam). It is used to mock someone who lacks a sense of proportion or fails to recognize where the real profit lies.

This expression describes a situation where someone abandons a task or withdraws support at a critical stage after taking a significant risk or putting in initial effort. It refers to someone who leaves others in a vulnerable or dangerous position without warning, or sabotages their own success at the final moment.

This expression is used to describe a hypocrite who puts on a show of piety or kindness outwardly (indicated by religious marks on the forehead) but speaks or acts with cruelty and greed (like a wolf). It refers to people who are 'wolves in sheep's clothing' or those whose words don't match their holy appearance.

This proverb is used to describe a person who uses a noble cause, a deity's name, or a reputable person's authority as a cover to speak rudely, lie, or serve their own selfish interests. It highlights the hypocrisy of appearing religious or virtuous while having a foul or dishonest way of speaking.

This proverb highlights that certain bad habits are hard to break. Just as someone who has eaten something messy (charcoal) cannot hide the evidence or stop the discomfort, a person habitual to gossiping or bad-mouthing others cannot restrain themselves from doing it again. It is used to describe people who are prone to constant criticism or spreading rumors.

This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the principle of self-reliance. It suggests that one who is unwilling to work or put in the effort does not deserve to enjoy the fruits or benefits. It is used to motivate someone to work hard or to critique laziness.

This expression is used to describe a person who seems decent or tolerable as long as they stay quiet, but as soon as they start speaking, they reveal their unpleasant nature, lack of sense, or rude behavior. It emphasizes that for some people, silence is their only redeeming quality.

This expression suggests that a person's intelligence and character remain hidden as long as they stay silent, but as soon as they speak, others can judge their worth, wisdom, or foolishness. It is used to advise caution in speech or to explain how a person's true nature is revealed through their words.

This proverb highlights ingrained habits or natural tendencies that are difficult to change. It implies that a person prone to verbal abuse will continue to shout, a glutton will always look for food, and a wanderer will never stay in one place. It is used to describe people who are slaves to their repetitive behaviors or restless nature.