తనకంపు తనకింపు, పరులకంపు తనకు వూకిలింపు

This expression emphasizes the essential qualities of communication and art. It suggests that just as a song must be melodious to be enjoyed, speech should be graceful, polite, and meaningful to be effective. It is used to describe someone who speaks beautifully or to highlight the importance of eloquence.

This proverb describes hypocrisy or superficiality. It is used to refer to something or someone that looks attractive, elegant, or virtuous on the surface but is actually rotten, corrupt, or unpleasant on the inside.

This expression highlights the essential finishing touches or actions that bring out the best quality in something. Just as tempering (seasoning) is vital for a curry's flavor, properly rinsing and snapping a saree makes it look crisp and beautiful. It is used to signify that certain processes are indispensable for a perfect result.

This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs a good shake to be clean and a curry needs tempering for flavor, some believe a daughter-in-law needs constant 'correction' or 'nagging' to keep the household running smoothly. It is often used to describe traditional mothers-in-law who justify their strictness as necessary for household discipline.

This proverb highlights that while an unrefined person might have obvious flaws, a hypocritical or pretentious person who tries too hard to look good often has deeper, more pervasive issues or faults. It is used to criticize those who prioritize superficial appearances over genuine character.

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that appears attractive, virtuous, or high-quality on the surface, but is actually rotten, hypocritical, or of poor quality internally. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or referring to a 'whited sepulcher.'

This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or flaws (even finding them acceptable), but are quick to judge or be disgusted by the same flaws in others. It is commonly used to point out hypocrisy or self-centeredness.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb reflecting old social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs vigorous rinsing to be clean and a curry needs tempering (tadka) to be tasty, a daughter-in-law was traditionally thought to need 'discipline' or constant reminders (nagging) to be a good homemaker. It is often used to describe situations where someone is being unnecessarily nitpicked or controlled under the guise of improvement.

This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or mistakes (finding them acceptable or 'pleasant'), but are quick to find the faults of others repulsive or unbearable. It is used to describe situations where someone ignores their own shortcomings while criticizing others for the same.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone endures something highly unpleasant or shameful just to satisfy their greed or achieve a selfish gain. It highlights the irony of tolerating something disgusting for the sake of material benefit.