కుట్టితే తేలు, కుట్టకుంటే కుమ్మర పురుగు

This refers to some criminal who cannot even complain. If a person is doing something criminal, he cannot complain against a natural problem/discomfort he has to face. The moral is that it is better not to commit blunders one may find it difficult to get out of them.

This expression describes a situation where someone is suffering or facing a problem but cannot complain or cry out for help because doing so would reveal their own wrongdoings or secrets. Just as a thief cannot scream when stung by a scorpion while stealing for fear of getting caught, it refers to a state of silent, helpless suffering.

This expression is used to describe a person who is naturally restless or mischievous, but becomes even more hyperactive, erratic, or uncontrollable due to a specific provocation or situation. It highlights a state of extreme agitation added to an already unstable personality.

This proverb highlights the irony and disappointment parents may face when children they lovingly raised turn against them or become troublesome as they grow older. It is used to describe situations where someone nurtured by you eventually causes you grief or opposition.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is usually funny or non-serious is genuinely suffering or in trouble, but others mistake it for a joke or part of an act. It refers to a tragedy that is perceived as comedy by observers, leading to a lack of sympathy or help when it is actually needed.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely busy, constantly moving around, or deeply involved in hard labor, much like the tireless burrowing activity of a mole cricket (kummara purugu). It often refers to someone who is preoccupied with many tasks at once.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone knowingly or unknowingly spends their resources (money, time, or effort) only to end up with trouble or self-inflicted harm. It is used when a person's own actions or investments lead to a negative outcome for themselves.

This proverb describes a situation where a silent aggressor or the person who caused the harm goes unpunished or unnoticed, while the victim who cries out or complains is blamed and shamed for making noise. It is used to highlight unfair social judgment where the 'silent' troublemaker is favored over the 'loud' victim.

This expression is used to describe a person's behavior based on its outcome or their current mood. It suggests that a person is judged entirely by their actions at a given moment—viewed as dangerous if they cause harm, but harmless if they remain quiet. It is often used to describe unpredictable people who can be either malicious or benign depending on the situation.

This proverb describes a person who remains unaffected or untainted despite being in a corrupt, messy, or negative environment. Just as a dung beetle or mole cricket lives in the mud/dirt but stays clean, it refers to an individual's integrity or detachment from worldly impurities.