తెల్లనివన్నీ పాలా? నల్లనివన్నీ నీళ్లా?

This proverb is used to emphasize that the internal quality or the essence of something is more important than its external appearance. Just as color of the cow does not affect the purity and color of its milk, a person's character or the value of a result should not be judged based on outward looks or origins.

This proverb is used as a warning to not judge anything based solely on its outward appearance. Just because something looks familiar or pure (like milk) doesn't mean it is. It emphasizes that reality can be different from superficial perception, advising people to be cautious and look deeper before forming a judgment.

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 highlights the importance of effort and responsibility. It suggests that a person who is unwilling to perform basic labor or fulfill their duties does not deserve the rewards or status that come with them. It is used to mock lazy or incompetent individuals who demand privileges without doing the necessary work.

This proverb is used to describe a person who finds faults in everything when they are unwilling or uninterested in a particular person or task. Just as it is impossible to find a stone in smooth curd, such people invent excuses or imaginary problems to avoid involvement or to criticize others.

This is an old traditional saying based on physiognomy and social stereotypes. It suggests that individuals who possess physical characteristics uncommon to their community (like a very dark-skinned priest or a very fair-skinned laborer) are deviants from the norm and should be approached with caution or suspicion regarding their character.

This proverb warns against trusting individuals from professions historically associated with manipulation, cruelty, or deception. In this context: the 'writer' (clerk/accountant) could manipulate records, the 'butcher' deals in death/slaughter, and the 'toddy-tapper' could dilute drinks or manipulate measurements. It is generally used to advise caution when dealing with people whose livelihoods depend on cleverness or cold-heartedness.

Put a miller, a weaver, and a tailor in a bag and shake them, the first that comes out will be a thief.

This expression is used to describe an action that highlights or makes something very obvious and prominent. Just as a saddle is immediately noticeable on a white horse, a particular behavior, flaw, or merit becomes strikingly apparent in certain situations. It is often used to refer to someone trying to hide something that is impossible to conceal or making a choice that draws unnecessary attention.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of wit, resourcefulness, and practical intelligence. It suggests that a person without any cleverness or problem-solving skills becomes a liability to the community and cannot survive or thrive in social structures.

This is a traditional folk saying used to warn that people who appear dark or quiet might harbor deep-seated cunning or hidden malice. It is often used to suggest that one should be cautious of the hidden intentions of certain individuals, though it is considered a stereotypical or superstitious observation in modern contexts.