ఊళ్ళో అధికారమైనా ఉండాలి ఊరంచున పొలమైనా ఉండాలి

This proverb suggests that in life, it is better to be at one extreme or the other rather than being stuck in the middle. It emphasizes that both a person with nothing to lose and a person with immense resources have a certain type of freedom or power, whereas those in the middle often face the most struggles and anxieties.

This proverb suggests that to truly understand someone's character, personality, or habits, you must either travel with them for a long distance or live under the same roof. It emphasizes that superficial acquaintance is not enough to judge a person.

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be virtuous or meticulous while their actions or surroundings are clearly flawed. It describes a situation where a person claims to be 'pure' (chokkam) while relying on a flimsy 'bamboo screen' (tadaka) for protection or privacy, highlighting hypocrisy or a false sense of security.

This traditional proverb advises on social and financial conduct: avoid the attention of authorities or the state to prevent taxes and legal troubles, but always remain visible and available to your creditors (moneylenders) to maintain trust and prove your integrity in repaying debts.

This expression is used to illustrate that resources, secrets, or wealth cannot be preserved or accumulated if the container (or person) is fundamentally flawed or lacks integrity. Just as water leaks from a pot with holes, efforts spent on a person with bad habits or a system with deep flaws will always go to waste.

This proverb highlights the importance of social status or convenience in one's place of residence. Having authority gives power and respect, while owning land near the village limits (close to home) ensures agricultural convenience and prosperity. It is used to suggest that for a comfortable and influential life, one needs either administrative power or valuable, accessible resources.

This expression is used to describe a situation where troubles or burdens pile up one after another when someone is already in a difficult state. Just as an intercalary month (Adhika Masam) extends the duration of a year during a drought, or having many children adds to the financial burden of a poor person, it signifies that misfortunes rarely come alone and often worsen an existing crisis.

This proverb emphasizes that relationships, whether friendly or adversarial, are best suited between people of equal status, strength, or standing. It suggests that for a bond to be meaningful or a conflict to be fair, the parties involved should be evenly matched.

This proverb describes how a person who has lost their power, influence, or strength will be intimidated or harassed even by those who are much weaker or whom they once dominated. It is used to highlight how circumstances can change one's status and invite disrespect from unlikely sources.

This expression is used to emphasize that a person should be governed by some form of discipline. It implies that if one does not have genuine respect (devotion) for authority or rules, they should at least have a fear of the consequences of breaking them. It is often used in contexts of parenting, workplace management, or social conduct to suggest that a complete lack of both leads to chaos or irresponsible behavior.