చచ్చేవాడికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టేవాడికి అన్న

This proverb highlights how people's attitudes are shaped by their circumstances. A person with no possessions or status often acts with great courage or recklessness because they have nothing to lose (tempu), whereas a wealthy or powerful person may become stubborn or obstinate (mondi) because of their ego or desire to protect what they have.

This expression is used to describe a person who is a definitive or ultimate solution to a problem, or conversely, someone who is a fierce destroyer of obstacles. In a negative context, it can refer to someone who is as intense or destructive as Mars is considered in astrology for causing ill-effects, or as powerful as Lord Bhairava is in destroying sins.

This proverb describes a double standard or opportunistic behavior where one chooses specific relatives based on convenience. It highlights a scenario where a woman prefers her own brother (ali tammudu) to share in food and festivities, but expects her husband's brother (magani tammudu) to take on the difficult, somber, or obligatory tasks like religious rituals. It is used to criticize those who seek out people for pleasure but delegate responsibilities to others.

This proverb is used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature or height, they often make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunningness. It implies that short people are exceptionally sharp-minded.

This proverb contrasts physical labor with strategic or steady placement. It suggests that someone who stays focused or 'sits' (often referring to a landowner or a steady worker) accumulates heaps of grain or wealth, whereas someone who wanders aimlessly or works without a plan faces hardships and troubles. It is used to highlight the rewards of stability versus the difficulties of being unsettled.

This proverb highlights the interdependence of agriculture and animal husbandry. It suggests that where there is dairy (cattle), a good harvest naturally follows, as they complement each other's success and provide a holistic livelihood for a farmer.

This is a humorous and satirical expression used to describe complex, abstract, or overly intellectual talk that lacks clarity. It suggests that when a conversation becomes so convoluted that neither the person speaking nor the person listening knows what is going on, it is often pretentiously labeled as 'Vedanta' (philosophy).

This proverb describes someone who is in a middle position or a mediator. It refers to a person who has experienced both sides of a situation, making them versatile or uniquely positioned between two generations or two different states of being.

This expression refers to the reward or consequence based on behavior. It suggests that someone who tries to express something (even if vaguely) gets a small reward, whereas someone who is stubborn, unresponsive, or lazy (like a log) deserves punishment or a harsh lesson. It is used to describe dealing with different types of temperaments.

This expression is used to describe someone who stands around idly or avoids work while others are busy with a significant task. In traditional rituals, the person performing the ceremony is busy, but the younger brother often has no specific role and simply watches, signifying laziness or lack of responsibility during a time of action.