పందిని పొడిచినవాడే బంటు, కంద చెప్పినవాడే కవి

This proverb defines true skill and bravery by their toughest standards. In Telugu literature, the 'Kanda' meter is considered the most difficult to master; hence, only one who excels at it is a true poet. Similarly, hunting a wild boar was considered the ultimate test of a soldier's courage. It is used to suggest that expertise is proven only through the mastery of the most difficult tasks in a field.

This expression defines the true essence of expertise in two distinct fields: literature and leadership. It suggests that a real poet is one who possesses the creative complexity to craft 'Chitraprabandhams' (highly technical and artistic poetry), while a true ruler or king is defined by his bravery and ability to fight and defeat enemies on the battlefield (Anilo). It is used to emphasize that mastery is proven through action and skill rather than just titles.

This expression refers to a person who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or persuasive. It describes someone capable of twisting facts so skillfully that they can make a lie seem like the truth and vice versa, often used to describe crooked politicians, lawyers, or deceivers.

This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.

This proverb highlights that true mastery is defined by the most difficult tasks in a field. In Telugu literature, 'Kandam' is considered a very difficult meter to compose; similarly, hunting a wild boar requires immense courage. It signifies that excellence is proven through successfully handling the toughest challenges of one's profession.

This proverb is used to describe people who are deeply committed to a rivalry or a conflict. Even when they suffer losses or injuries during the struggle, their stubbornness or animosity keeps them from backing down. It is often used to characterize persistent quarreling or long-standing feuds between individuals who refuse to reconcile despite the negative consequences.

This expression means that true merit or bravery is determined by one's actions and results in the field, rather than by empty boasts or titles. In the past, wild boar hunting was a dangerous task; therefore, only the person who actually completed the kill was considered a true warrior. It is used to suggest that success belongs to the person who performs the difficult task at hand.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

This expression describes someone who is extremely manipulative, cunning, or skilled at distorting the truth. It is used to refer to a person who can make something good look bad, or something bad look good, often through clever words, influence, or deceitful arguments.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.