ప్రాణములేని వానికి బంగారు తలపాగా చుట్టిన ప్రయోజనమేమి, ఆణి వజ్రభూషణము ఉరమున బెట్టిననేమి

This proverb is used to express the idea of gratitude and loyalty. It implies that if someone has helped you (literally provided you with salt/food), your conscience will not allow you to remain indifferent or ungrateful towards them, especially in their time of need.

This expression suggests that for people who possess inherent wisdom, practical intelligence, or true realization (jaanalu), getting bogged down in pedantic scholarly debates or complex religious scriptures is unnecessary. It emphasizes that practical wisdom or intuitive understanding is superior to mere theoretical knowledge or ritualistic expertise. It is often used to point out that over-explaining things to an expert or a naturally intelligent person is a waste of time.

This expression refers to the idea that innate qualities or natural talents are essential for success. It suggests that if a person lacks basic natural ability or character (puttu), external enhancements, artificial aids, or borrowed resources (pettu) will not be of much use or bring any real benefit. It is used to emphasize that substance is more important than mere appearance or external support.

This expression emphasizes the supreme value of dignity and self-respect over physical life. It is used to convey that for a person of principles, living with disgrace or humiliation is worse than death.

Take away my good name, and take away my life. Either live or die wi' honour.

This expression is used when someone tries to do something very advanced, difficult, or intense right at the beginning of a process. Annaprasana is a ceremony for a baby's first intake of solid food (usually soft rice); expecting them to eat spicy pickle on that day is unrealistic and premature.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who is being given something for free (often something undesirable or unnecessary) starts acting overly picky or demanding. It is used to mock people who act entitled or fastidious when they are actually in a position of receiving an unearned favor or a desperate offer.

This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.

This proverb highlights the cynical reality of materialism. It means that when a person has no money, even those who provide services for a fee (traditionally referring to courtesans) will show no romantic or sexual interest in them, treating them with the platonic distance of a relative. It is used to describe how financial status dictates social and personal relationships.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an exceptionally virtuous, talented, or noble person is born to parents of bad character or low merit. It highlights a rare and positive exception in lineage, much like finding a precious gem in an unlikely or unworthy source.

This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.