తనకు కానిది గూడులంజ.

This proverb suggests that a person's character, behavior, and traits are often influenced by their upbringing, family background, or the environment they are born into. It is typically used to imply that quality or nature is inherent to one's roots.

This proverb describes two types of people: a lazy person (opani vaadu) who desires everything without wanting to work for it, and a spiteful person (ollani vaadu) who will resort to any lie or criticism against someone they dislike. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of wanting results without effort or the tendency of people to badmouth those they are biased against.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is forced or encouraged to do something they are incompetent at, resulting in an outcome that is unpleasant or intolerable for everyone involved. It is used to mock a task performed poorly by someone without skill, which only causes annoyance to the observer.

This proverb is used to describe things or people that have lost their inherent value, dignity, or character. Just as a coin remains a piece of metal regardless of how it is minted, a person who has cast aside their shame or 'secret' (modesty/integrity) no longer cares for social reputation. It is often used to refer to someone who has become thick-skinned or shameless regarding their actions.

This proverb describes a situation where a specific person or thing is used as an excuse to delay or stall a collective task. It refers to people who wait for a particular individual (who might be slow or unreliable) to arrive before starting work, essentially procrastinating or justifying inaction.

This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as a moral guideline to avoid evil: do not listen to evil, do not speak evil, and do not see evil. It is used to encourage people to maintain purity of mind and avoid participating in gossip or negativity.

This expression highlights the value of personal experience, biological connection, and practical utility. It suggests that the true essence or value of something is realized only when it fulfills its primary purpose or has a direct personal bond. It is often used to emphasize that ownership or a relationship is truly meaningful only when it is direct and earned, rather than through secondary means.

This expression is used to mock someone who is boasting about their wealth or importance when their actual situation is very humble or poor. It highlights the irony of someone making grand claims while having only basic sustenance (rice water) before them.

This expression is used to describe a person's tendency to devalue or speak ill of something simply because they cannot have it or it is of no use to them. It is similar to the 'sour grapes' metaphor, where an individual criticizes or belittles an object or opportunity out of spite or envy when it is beyond their reach.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to perform an impossible task or provide information that is non-existent. It highlights the absurdity of a request that defies logic or reality, often used when someone makes unreasonable demands or asks for something completely fictional.