పుల్లనీళ్ళకే పుణ్యమనేవాడు

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is already weak or in a precarious position receives help from someone who is equally weak or insignificant. It highlights that the assistance provided is trivial or insufficient to make a real difference, often used in a sarcastic or self-deprecating context.

This expression is used to describe mandatory duties or responsibilities that are expected as a baseline. Performing them doesn't earn extra praise because they are considered a basic requirement, but neglecting them leads to negative consequences or criticism.

This proverb suggests that stagnation leads to decay or dullness, while movement and change keep one fresh and active. In a practical sense, it can also mean that those who stay in one place or position for a long time are the ones who accumulate habits, reputations, or results, whether positive or negative.

This proverb refers to a person who is strictly business-minded and focuses only on profit without showing any generosity or performing deeds for spiritual merit. It is used to describe someone who treats every interaction as a commercial transaction and never offers anything for free or out of kindness.

This traditional expression highlights the difference between a woman's life at her parent's house (puttinillu), where she is often pampered and carefree, versus her life at her in-laws' house (mettinillu), where she faces responsibilities, restrictions, and sometimes hardships or criticism (arallu).

In Telugu culture, eating on a banana leaf or a stitched leaf plate (vistari) is traditional. This expression highlights the virtue of hospitality; it means that even a small act of providing a plate or assistance to someone in need of food earns one great spiritual merit (punyam), similar to the act of providing the actual meal itself.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities: first, that intense desire or greed often blinds a person to moral or ethical wrongs (doing anything to achieve a goal); second, that a person running a business (like an innkeeper or caterer) is driven by profit and cannot afford to give away food for free or act out of pure merit/charity.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even highly influential or powerful people are suffering or being crushed, implying that common people or those of lower status stand no chance at all. It highlights total chaos or a hierarchy of suffering.

This expression is used to highlight that charms, superstitions, or shortcuts cannot replace actual effort or the natural, essential cause of an outcome. It serves as a sarcastic retort to those who rely solely on rituals or superficial solutions instead of addressing the core requirements of a task.

This proverb describes a streak of bad luck where problems seem to target those who are already suffering. It is used when a person who is already in a difficult situation faces even more setbacks or when an existing weakness is repeatedly exposed to further damage.