ఇంటికి దీపం ఇల్లాలే

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is darkness or ignorance right at the base of a source of light or knowledge. It refers to someone who is very close to a person of greatness or wisdom, yet remains uninfluenced or unaware of that excellence, similar to how the area directly beneath a lamp remains in shadow.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a smaller or less significant thing is overshadowed or ignored in the presence of something much larger or brighter. It can also refer to someone who provides light or guidance to others but remains in darkness or unrecognized themselves, similar to the English idiom 'The cobbler's children go barefoot.'

This proverb is used to warn that laziness or feigning inability (lameness) to avoid work ultimately harms the entire household or family. It highlights how one person's excuses for not being productive lead to the downfall of collective stability.

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be overly smart or skilled but fails miserably at simple, practical tasks. It highlights the gap between one's perceived intelligence and their actual common sense or manual competence.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something small, insignificant, or inferior is compared to or placed in front of something vastly superior and brilliant. It highlights how the smaller object's light is completely overshadowed and made redundant by the larger one's brilliance.

This expression is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or fails to serve any intended purpose. Just as a woman who doesn't care for the home isn't a true housewife, and a broken or ill-fitting pot cannot be part of a stack (donthi), a person who lacks utility in their designated role is described this way.

This proverb suggests that the prosperity, cleanliness, and overall atmosphere of a home reflect the character, management, and hard work of the woman of the house. It is used to emphasize the importance of a woman's role in maintaining the dignity and harmony of a household.

This expression describes the seasonal transition in the Telugu states. It signifies that by the time of the Diwali festival, the winter season is just beginning to set in, and the cold is mild or minimal, metaphorically compared to the small heat or size of a lamp's flicker.

Even a small lamp can give a wide glow. Physical size does not always lead to insignificant actions. It is the largeness of purpose that makes the act big.

This expression is used to warn that even if someone is close to us or belongs to us (family, friends, or subordinates), we must maintain certain boundaries and handle them with care. Over-familiarity or ignoring the inherent risks of a situation just because of 'ownership' can lead to self-inflicted harm or negative consequences.