దానాలన్నిటికంటే విద్యాదానం మిన్న

This expression describes a person who is extremely miserly or stingy. It refers to someone who tries to gain credit for being charitable or generous by offering something worthless (like the sour water leftover from soaking tamarind) as if it were a great sacrifice.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone goes out to perform a simple, quick task but takes an incredibly long time to return, often returning with unexpected or problematic complications. It highlights extreme procrastination or getting distracted to an absurd degree.

This expression refers to a situation that is prolonged indefinitely or a process that seems to have no end. It is used to describe a task, event, or project that keeps getting delayed or drags on forever without reaching a conclusion.

This proverb refers to a person who is strictly business-minded and focuses only on profit without showing any generosity or performing deeds for spiritual merit. It is used to describe someone who treats every interaction as a commercial transaction and never offers anything for free or out of kindness.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a deed with the intention of gaining religious merit (punyam), but the act inadvertently causes harm or results in a mess. It is often applied when an attempt to do good backfires or when a seemingly pious person's actions are actually riddled with flaws.

This expression is used to describe someone who attempts to perform a task at an entirely inappropriate or ill-suited place. It highlights the irony of seeking to start a new life (conception) in a place associated with death (a tomb), signifying poor judgment or lack of common sense regarding timing and location.

In Telugu culture, eating on a banana leaf or a stitched leaf plate (vistari) is traditional. This expression highlights the virtue of hospitality; it means that even a small act of providing a plate or assistance to someone in need of food earns one great spiritual merit (punyam), similar to the act of providing the actual meal itself.

This is a witty play on words in Telugu. While 'daanam' usually means charity or donation, here it is paired with 'nidaanam' (patience/composure). The expression suggests that being patient and composed is a greater virtue than any act of giving material wealth. It is used to advise someone to stay calm and patient in difficult situations.

This expression highlights that childhood is the most carefree, happy, and golden period of a person's life compared to adulthood or old age. It is used when reminiscing about the simplicity and joy of one's early years, often implying that as we grow older, responsibilities and worries increase.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone reminisces about past luxuries or happy times while currently facing severe hardships or scarcity. It highlights the irony of thinking about indulgence during times of deprivation.