నూనెతో మండే దీపం నువ్వులతో మండునా?

This expression is used to indicate that the result or output is directly proportional to the investment, effort, or resources put in. It is often used to tell someone that they get what they pay for, or that rewards are commensurate with the work performed.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being taught or assigned a task that is impossible for them to perform due to their inherent limitations or lack of tools. Since sesame seeds are tiny and difficult to pick up even with fingers, teaching someone without fingers to eat them represents a futile or cruel endeavor.

This expression describes a situation where someone provides the wrong resources but expects a specific, different result. It is used to mock illogical demands or impossible expectations where the input does not match the desired output.

This proverb is used to emphasize the distinction between a product and its creator, or the resource and the person who manages it. It suggests that while the essence of something (like the oil) remains the same, the individuals handling it (the oil-pressers) can have different characters, methods, or intentions.

This expression describes a state of basic contentment, security, and stability. Just as a lamp protected in a wall niche stays lit and food in the belly provides immediate satisfaction, it refers to having one's essential needs met—shelter and sustenance. It is often used to describe a simple, worry-free life or a situation where everything is in its proper, safe place.

This is a humorous and sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone tries to accomplish too many tasks or satisfy many people with an insignificantly small amount of resources. It highlights the impossibility of stretching a tiny resource (like a drop of oil) to cover multiple major needs, mocking poor planning or stinginess.

This proverb highlights that if the flaw lies within our own resources or efforts, there is no point in blaming someone else for the poor outcome. It is used when a person tries to shift responsibility for their own failures onto others who are merely providing a service.

This expression is used to highlight the difference between an entity and the agent that processes it, or to show that while two things are intrinsically linked, the middleman or external factor is distinct. It is often used to describe situations where the source and result are essentially the same, yet someone else takes the credit or handles the transformation.

This expression describes the seasonal transition in the Telugu states. It signifies that by the time of the Diwali festival, the winter season is just beginning to set in, and the cold is mild or minimal, metaphorically compared to the small heat or size of a lamp's flicker.

This proverb highlights the importance of choosing the right resources or people for a specific task based on their nature and suitability. Just as sesame thrives in black soil and pigeon peas (red gram) grow best in red soil, success depends on aligning strategies with the environment or context.