నవ్వే ఆడదాన్నీ ఏడ్చే మగాణ్ణీ నమ్మరాదు

This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of empty promises. It highlights that intentions or verbal commitments regarding a woman's arrival or a man's generosity are often unreliable until they actually manifest. It is used as a cautionary advice against blind faith in words alone.

This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of people whose emotions seem performative or calculated. It implies that excessive emotional displays—like a man using tears to gain sympathy or a woman using laughter to mask her true intentions—can be signs of deceit or manipulation. It is used to advise someone to look beyond superficial behaviors when judging character.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb expressing a historical bias. It suggests that a leaf-cigar is unreliable because it can extinguish or burn unevenly at any moment, and metaphorically claims that a woman's mind is unpredictable or untrustworthy. It is used to caution someone against relying on things or people perceived as fickle.

This proverb warns against relying on verbal promises or superficial assurances regarding material gain or romantic interest. It suggests that people often make empty promises to please others or to get out of a situation, and one should only believe actions rather than words.

This is an old traditional saying based on physiognomy and social stereotypes. It suggests that individuals who possess physical characteristics uncommon to their community (like a very dark-skinned priest or a very fair-skinned laborer) are deviants from the norm and should be approached with caution or suspicion regarding their character.

This expression suggests that a person who lacks warmth, humor, or the ability to smile is often hiding their true nature or may be cold-hearted. It is used as a cautionary piece of advice to be wary of individuals who remain stoic or expressionless, as their intentions may be difficult to gauge.

This proverb highlights that certain events are naturally communal or specific in nature. It implies that social rituals and ceremonies require the support and happiness of those involved. If the immediate family is unhappy during a festival, the neighbors unhappy during a memorial, or the village unhappy during a wedding, such an event cannot truly take place or be successful. It emphasizes the importance of social harmony and collective approval in traditional ceremonies.

At the new moon the Hindus abstain from eating rice in the evening, but take care to make up for it with other good things ; at the Taddina ( ceremony on the anniversary of a deceased relative's death ) the neighbours are feasted ; and to a marriage the whole village is invited.

This proverb warns against trusting individuals from professions historically associated with manipulation, cruelty, or deception. In this context: the 'writer' (clerk/accountant) could manipulate records, the 'butcher' deals in death/slaughter, and the 'toddy-tapper' could dilute drinks or manipulate measurements. It is generally used to advise caution when dealing with people whose livelihoods depend on cleverness or cold-heartedness.

Put a miller, a weaver, and a tailor in a bag and shake them, the first that comes out will be a thief.

This traditional proverb suggests caution when dealing with three specific professions: the writer (clerk/accountant who can manipulate records), the cutter (butcher/barber who handles sharp tools), and the drawer (toddy tapper who climbs trees). It implies that their work involves inherent deceit or physical risk, making absolute trust dangerous.

This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) that cautions people to be vigilant of their surroundings. Historically, it refers to specific communities known for hunting or guarding skills, suggesting that if they are positioned around you in these specific ways, they might be tracking or ambushing. In a modern context, it serves as a metaphorical warning to be wary of people's positions and intentions in a competitive or unpredictable environment.