ముండమోపి బలువు, పాండురోగి తెలుపు

This proverb is used to convey that if something is destined to happen or is an inevitable outcome, minor factors or superficial changes cannot prevent it. It suggests that certain consequences are unavoidable regardless of the circumstances.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks advice, help, or a blessing from an incompetent person or someone in a miserable state, only to receive a 'blessing' that would bring the same misfortune upon them. It highlights the futility of seeking guidance from those who have failed or are in a wretched position themselves.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Two wrongs don't make a right.' It suggests that combining two negative actions, lies, or mistakes will not result in a positive outcome or the truth.

This proverb highlights the irony of poor planning or extreme poverty where resources are missing exactly when they are needed most. It describes a situation where one is busy washing clothes the day before (lacking something to wear), busy cooking on the festival day (delayed eating), and exhausted of all resources/dairy by the following day.

This is a traditional proverb used to describe someone who attempts to seek luxuries, adornments, or pleasures that are considered inappropriate or unnecessary given their current somber situation or social standing. It highlights a sense of irony or mismatch between a person's circumstances and their desires.

This expression is used to highlight an impossible or unnatural situation. Just as a crow can never be white and leather is inherently dark, certain truths or character traits cannot be changed no matter how much one tries to pretend otherwise.

This proverb highlights the lack of comfort and independence in certain situations. Serving an arrogant or high-ranking official is as restless and insecure as sleeping on someone else's bed, where one can never truly feel at home or relaxed.

This proverb is used to describe deceptive or superficial appearances that look positive but are actually signs of underlying distress or ill health. Just as a widow's swelling (due to grief or poor health) is not a sign of being well-fed, and an anemic person's paleness is not the same as a healthy fair complexion, it warns against mistaking a bad situation for a good one based on surface-level observations.

This proverb conveys the concept of divine justice or karma. It means that if a powerful person oppresses or bullies someone weaker, there is always a higher power (fate or God) that will eventually punish the oppressor. It is used to warn people against abusing their power.

This expression is used to describe someone who shows undue pride or arrogance based on very limited or meager resources. Just as a cow might grow slightly plump from drinking leftover kitchen slop (kuditi), the 'fatness' or pride of the person is entirely dependent on something insignificant or temporary.