చేయని చేతులు, కుడువని నోరు

This expression emphasizes the importance of gratitude and affection towards one's mother. It suggests that a person who lacks the basic emotion or decency to address their mother with love is as hollow and useless as a hole in the ground from which clay has been extracted.

This traditional proverb suggests that wealth tends to be spent quickly when managed by a woman (historically implying domestic expenses or lack of financial restraint), while a child may not thrive under a man's sole care due to a perceived lack of nurturing skills. It is used to describe situations where resources or responsibilities are placed in hands that are traditionally considered ill-equipped to preserve them.

This proverb is used to describe something that remains in its original, pristine condition because it has never been used or put into practice. It highlights that beauty or quality is only preserved perfectly when it is left untouched, often used sarcastically to refer to people who have knowledge but no practical experience, or items that are kept so safely that they serve no purpose.

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 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 people who lack action or productivity but talk excessively about their abilities or achievements. It is similar to the English idiom 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'

This expression is used to describe people who talk grandly about their abilities or achievements but contribute very little in reality. It is similar to the English idiom 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.

This expression highlights the importance of generosity and social responsibility. It suggests that a person's life or wealth is useless if they do not help others, just as a fruit tree is considered pointless or unproductive if it fails to yield fruit. It is used to criticize stinginess and emphasize that true value lies in giving.

This proverb emphasizes the value of life and environmental preservation. It suggests that one should not destroy something that is thriving and green, even if it is seemingly useless or harmful like the Musini (Strychnine) tree, as every living thing has its place in nature.

This expression is used to emphasize the importance of hard work. It means that if one does not put in the physical effort or work with their hands, they will not have anything to eat or sustain themselves. It is equivalent to the English saying 'No pain, no gain' or 'He who does not work, shall not eat.'