గంటెడైనా బలవాలి, గాదెడైనా తిరగాలి

This proverb highlights the necessity of protection or advocacy. Just as a wall protects a crop (madi) from intruders or animals, a clever or articulate husband protects his family from being taken advantage of by society. It is used to suggest that one needs either physical security or a clever person to handle external worldly affairs effectively.

This proverb is used sarcastically to describe someone who expects to be pampered and fed without doing any work. In traditional Telugu culture, a son-in-law is treated with extreme hospitality and never asked to work, while a 'Basavanna' (sacred bull) is fed and revered without labor. It is used to mock lazy individuals who overstay their welcome and expect royal treatment.

This expression suggests that in life, to survive or succeed, one must possess either the strength and courage (Dheerudu) to face challenges head-on or the humility and submissiveness (Deenudu) to seek help and stay protected. It implies that being stuck in the middle with an ego but no strength is a recipe for failure. It is often used to advise someone on the attitude they should adopt depending on their circumstances.

This expression refers to a situation where a result can only be achieved through two specific means: either by treating the root cause (medicine) or by applying external pressure/motivation (a push). It is often used when someone is being stubborn or a task is stalled, suggesting that either a logical solution or a forceful nudge is required to get things moving.

This proverb is used to emphasize that secondary things, no matter how plentiful or high-quality they are, cannot replace the primary or essential requirement. Just as curry cannot satisfy hunger like rice (the staple) does, luxuries or additions cannot replace basic necessities.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two useless or insignificant items or people join together, resulting in nothing but a heavy, unproductive burden. It suggests that the combination of poor quality components only leads to more trouble or labor rather than any benefit.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where several small, seemingly insignificant burdens or problems accumulate to become an overwhelming task. It refers to how minor things, when added up, result in a heavy struggle for the person responsible.

This proverb is used to convey that both happiness (represented by a feast) and hardship (represented by taking medicine) are temporary. It suggests that any situation, good or bad, will typically lose its intensity or reach its conclusion in a short period. It is often used to advise someone not to overstay their welcome as a guest or to encourage someone enduring a difficult phase that it will soon pass.

This expression emphasizes collective effort or sharing in resources while maintaining individual strength and resilience. It suggests that while one should participate in the community and share life's burdens/joys with others, the ultimate responsibility for one's own growth and success lies within themselves.

This proverb refers to the privilege of living a life of leisure and luxury without manual labor. It suggests that such a comfortable lifestyle is typically reserved for those born into royalty (power/wealth) or those who live off the earnings and influence of someone highly sought after (historically referring to the status of a 'Sani' or courtesan's family members who were often pampered). It is used to describe someone who enjoys benefits without working for them.