మంచి నోరు చేదు మింగినట్లు.

This expression emphasizes that if you speak politely and treat others with respect, the people around you will respond with kindness and support. It is used to teach that one's social environment is often a reflection of their own behavior and speech.

This proverb suggests that one's perception and outcome depend on their mindset or intentions. If your thoughts and attitude (chittam) are good, even unpleasant situations or bitter things (chedu) will result in a positive experience or be perceived as beneficial. It is often used to emphasize the importance of having a positive outlook and pure intentions.

This expression is used to describe someone who tries to hide a very obvious mistake or an impossible situation with a clumsy excuse. It refers to the absurdity of doing something difficult (climbing a tall palm tree) and then attempting something impossible or highly visible (swallowing a large iron crowbar) while thinking no one will notice.

This expression is used when a person's good intentions or helpful actions result in an unexpected negative outcome or trouble for themselves. It describes a situation where one tries to do a favor or act kindly, but is met with hostility, blame, or complications instead of gratitude.

This proverb is used to describe a hypocrite who pretends to be innocent, shy, or ascetic in public (a 'Nanganachi') but acts greedily when given the chance. It highlights the contrast between a person's fake outward humility and their inner greed.

This proverb describes a person who is eager and greedy for small, immediate benefits (represented by a handful of boiled snacks/guggillu) but remains silent or fails to act when there is an opportunity for a much larger gain (represented by the entire harvest at the threshing floor/kallam). It is used to mock someone who lacks a sense of proportion or fails to recognize where the real profit lies.

This expression is used to describe something that appears intact on the outside but is completely hollow or empty on the inside. It originates from the folk belief that when an elephant swallows a wood apple, the fruit remains whole through the digestive process, but the pulp inside disappears mysteriously. It is often used to refer to sudden losses, empty promises, or wealth that vanishes without a trace.

This expression describes a situation where someone endures extreme pain, hardship, or self-destruction just to save face or uphold their pride/dignity. It is used when a person's ego or reputation forces them to accept a harmful situation without complaining.

This is the Telugu version of the famous 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as an ethical maxim advising people to lead a virtuous life by avoiding participation in, or exposure to, bad influences, gossip, and negativity.

This proverb refers to a situation where something appears whole on the outside but is completely empty or hollow inside. It originates from the myth that when an elephant eats a wood-apple (Velagapandu), the pulp is digested through the shell, leaving the fruit looking intact but empty when it passes through. It is used to describe wasted efforts, lost opportunities, or things that have lost their internal substance despite outward appearances.