దానము చేసిన ఆవుకు దవడ పళ్లు ఎంచబోకు

This expression refers to someone who gives something away as a gift or charity but still tries to maintain control over it or enjoy its benefits. It is used to describe a person who wants the reputation of being generous without actually letting go of the advantages of the object donated.

This expression serves as a warning against managing or meddling with public or religious funds/property. In a traditional context, it implies that handling temple administration (Manayam) often leads to false accusations, spiritual downfall, or great difficulty in maintaining absolute honesty, thus suggesting it is better to avoid such positions of public trust where integrity is easily questioned.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is being generous or charitable with someone else's resources or money rather than their own. It highlights the hypocrisy of taking credit for a sacrifice that doesn't actually cost the giver anything.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, upon closer inspection, something is found to be completely full of flaws or defects. It suggests that if you start looking for faults in a person or a system, you will find so many that it becomes impossible to fix or manage. It is similar to the English idea of something being 'riddled with holes' or 'beyond repair'.

Referring to a bed made of plaited rope. When a man wishes to find fault, he loses no opportunities. When love fails we espy all faults.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of confession and accountability. It suggests that acknowledging one's mistakes or wrongdoings openly helps in reducing the burden of guilt and paves the way for forgiveness or self-correction. It is used to encourage people to be honest about their faults rather than hiding them.

This proverb advises discretion and humility. It suggests that one should not brag or announce their intentions before acting (to avoid failure or interference), nor should one blindly follow spoken advice without evaluation. It is often used to emphasize that actions should speak louder than words and that true success is achieved through silent hard work.

This expression describes a situation where one useless or ruined thing is given to someone who is already in a helpless or destitute state. It refers to a mock charity or a futile gesture where neither the giver is making a sacrifice nor the receiver is getting any benefit. It is used to mock instances where someone tries to solve a problem with a worthless solution.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is overly generous with someone else's resources or money. It highlights the hypocrisy or ease of being charitable when the cost is not being borne by the giver themselves.

This proverb describes efforts or investments that yield no results or benefits. Just as staying awake (vigil) for a dead body serves no purpose and feeding a barren cow results in no milk, it is used to describe wasted labor or futile actions.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks a firm stance or individual principles, instead adapting their speech and behavior to please the people they are currently with. It can also refer to how someone's environment or upbringing heavily influences their dialect and opinions.