దొంగలు దోచిన కొంప

This proverb is used to describe things or situations that lack stability, safety, or proper structure. Just as a well without a protective wall (ledge) is dangerous to fetch water from, a house without a proper foundation or defined premises is insecure and lacks dignity. It is often used to refer to families or ventures that lack a strong leader or a solid base.

This proverb refers to a person who has absolutely nothing to lose. Since he owns nothing but a small piece of cloth (loincloth), even the most skilled thieves cannot steal anything from him. It is used to describe a situation where a person is immune to threats, extortion, or loss because they possess no worldly wealth or assets.

This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.

This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.

This expression is used to describe a situation where corrupt or wicked people collaborate to share spoils or ill-gotten gains. It highlights a conspiracy where individuals with no integrity cooperate solely for mutual benefit at the expense of others.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb rooted in superstition. It implies that if an owl (traditionally considered an ill omen in some contexts) perches on a house, it brings bad luck or destruction to the family living there. In a broader sense, it is used to suggest that certain bad signs or the presence of negative influences can lead to the downfall of a home or organization.

This expression is used when two or more dishonest people or entities collaborate to share ill-gotten gains or exploit a situation for their own benefit. It describes a situation where 'honor among thieves' exists solely to ensure they can divide the loot without conflict, often at the expense of others.

This expression is used to describe a very large, spacious, or sprawling house. It draws a comparison to the mythical city of Lanka from the Ramayana, which was known for its immense size and grandeur. It is often used to emphasize that a house is disproportionately large for the number of people living in it or simply to remark on its vastness.

This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those with malicious or secretive habits, can easily recognize each other's traits or motives. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'It takes one to know one' or 'Birds of a feather flock together.'

This expression refers to someone who has nothing to lose. Since a person wearing only a loincloth possesses no wealth or valuables, even the most skilled thieves cannot steal anything from him. It is used to describe a situation where a person is immune to threats or exploitation because they lack worldly possessions or have reached a state of total simplicity.