లేస్తే మనిషికాడు, కదిలితే కోతికాడు

This proverb is used to highlight that moral values and integrity are what define a human being. Without them, a person's behavior can be more unpredictable or destructive than that of a wild animal, specifically a monkey, which is known for its restless and mischievous nature.

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

This expression describes someone who is waiting patiently or cunningly for an opportunity to benefit from someone else's misfortune or mistake. It is used to refer to opportunistic behavior, similar to a fox waiting for prey to fall into a hole or for a trap to be sprung.

This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearances or imitations cannot replace the value or dignity of the original. Just as brass may shine like gold but lacks its intrinsic worth, someone pretending to be of high character or status without having the actual virtues will eventually be revealed. It is often used to remind people to stay in touch with reality and not be fooled by superficial substitutes.

This expression describes a person who makes grand, empty boasts or threats while being lazy or inactive. It is used to mock someone who talks big about their capabilities or temper but fails to take any actual action.

This expression emphasizes that a person's character and beauty are judged by their speech and behavior rather than physical jewelry or clothing. It is used to remind someone that polite and truthful words carry more value than external appearances.

This expression is used to mock someone's poor skills, incompetence, or lack of clarity in their work. It highlights a situation where the quality of an outcome is so poor that it requires an explicit label or explanation to avoid being misunderstood for something completely different.

This expression is used to emphasize the dignity, value, and resilience of a human being. It suggests that a person should not be treated as something trivial, disposable, or easily crushed like a blade of grass. It is often used to assert one's self-respect or when reminding others to treat someone with the importance they deserve.

This expression suggests that good people can sometimes have children with bad traits or wicked behavior (metaphorically 'demons'), but it is highly unlikely or impossible for truly evil or inherently cruel individuals to produce someone with saintly or humanistic qualities. It is often used to comment on lineage, upbringing, and the unpredictable nature of character inheritance.

This expression is used to describe an extremely lazy person who makes grand, empty threats or boasts of their power to avoid doing work. It mockingly portrays someone who claims they would be dangerously powerful if they ever stood up, but uses that as an excuse to remain idle and be served by others.