A Collection Of Telugu Proverbs

The collection of Telugu Proverbs contained in this volume was commenced several years ago, at the request of the translator, by Ravipati Guruvayya Garu, the able Munshi to the Telugu Translator to the Government of Madras, who has up to within a late date perseveringly laboured in adding to the small beginning at first made. To him therefore the public are indebted for this gathering of the ‘household words,’ and homely maxims of his countrymen and countrywomen--the property especially of the latter for, as among other nations so among the Hindus, “the women of the family retain a larger number of such household words in their memories, than any other class of the community.” That proverbial phrases give an insight into the minds and sentiments of a people that cannot otherwise be easily obtained will generally be admitted. It is hoped that the present addition to the numerous collections of ‘people’s words’ may not be altogether profitless. In respect to the few Sanscrit Proverbs which are appended, it is scarcely necessary to state that no pretension is here made to present a collection of proverbial sayings and Aphorisms found in the literature of that language. This book is an indispensable one for Telugu speaking people.