Arrogance
తక్కువ జాతికి ఎక్కువ కూడైతే తిక్క తెగులు
takkuva jatiki ekkuva kudaite tikka tegulu
If a low-minded person gets more food, they develop a disease of madness.
This proverb is used to criticize people who become arrogant, ill-mannered, or behave recklessly when they suddenly gain wealth, status, or power. It suggests that those who lack character cannot handle prosperity gracefully.
కుండలో గుర్రాలు తోలినట్లు
kundalo gurralu tolinatlu
Like driving horses inside a pot
This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand claims or performs 'heroic' acts in a safe, restricted environment where there is no actual risk or challenge. It refers to a person who boasts about their abilities without ever facing real-world testing or competition.
పెద్దలకు పెట్టరా పేచీల తలపాగ
peddalaku pettara pechila talapaga
Don't serve the elders, but wear a fancy turban of disputes.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who neglects their basic duties or responsibilities—such as taking care of elders or family—but spends their time and energy on vanity, creating unnecessary arguments, or maintaining a false sense of prestige.
తాడి తన్నే వానిని తలతన్నే వాడుంటాడు
tadi tanne vanini talatanne vaduntadu
For someone who can kick a palm tree, there will be someone who can kick their head.
This expression is used to remind people that no matter how powerful, clever, or skilled they think they are, there is always someone more capable or superior to them. It is a warning against arrogance and a reminder that every expert has a master.
అధికారి ఆరుమూర, బంటు పదిమూర.
adhikari arumura, bantu padimura.
The officer is six cubits, the servant is ten cubits.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a subordinate or assistant behaves with more arrogance, showiness, or authority than their actual boss or master. It highlights the irony of a servant acting more superior than the official they serve.
తనతో వచ్చింది తనియాలు, రానన్నది వెలయాలు
tanato vachchindi taniyalu, ranannadi velayalu
What came with him are coriander seeds; she who refused to come is a courtesan.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a loss or a failed expectation but tries to hide their disappointment or pride by making excuses or belittling the value of what they lost. It highlights the tendency to rationalize a failure by claiming that what was obtained is sufficient or that what was lost wasn't worth having anyway.
రోషానికి పోయి రొండ్లెగుసవు.
roshaniki poyi rondlegusavu.
Going for pride and losing both.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, driven by excessive pride or an egoistic desire to prove a point, ends up suffering double the loss or losing everything they had. It is a cautionary saying against acting impulsively out of vanity or spite.
గురువుకు తిరుమంత్రం చెప్పినట్లు.
guruvuku tirumantram cheppinatlu.
Like teaching the sacred mantra to the teacher.
This expression is used when someone tries to teach or advise an expert or a mentor in their own field of expertise. It describes a situation where an amateur or a student attempts to lecture someone who is far more knowledgeable or experienced than themselves.
ఆకులేతకు ఆకాశమంత రాసి
akuletaku akashamanta rasi
An infant's tiny hand writing as big as the sky.
This expression is used to describe someone who has very little experience, status, or resources but makes grand, exaggerated, or impossible claims. It highlights the vast gap between a person's actual capability and their boastful words.
నడమంత్రపు సిరి వస్తే, నడిరేయి గొడుగు పట్టమన్నాడట
nadamantrapu siri vaste, nadireyi godugu pattamannadata
When sudden wealth arrives, he asked for an umbrella to be held at midnight.
This proverb is used to describe the arrogant or foolish behavior of people who suddenly become wealthy or acquire power. It mocks those who display their new status ostentatiously and unnecessarily, like asking for a sunshade (umbrella) in the middle of the night just to show off their importance.
నిండిన కడుపు నిక్కి మాట్లాడును
nindina kadupu nikki matladunu
A full stomach speaks with pride.
This expression is used to describe how people tend to become arrogant, boastful, or dismissive of others' struggles once they are wealthy, successful, or have their basic needs comfortably met. It highlights the change in attitude that often comes with prosperity.
అభిమానానికి మంగలికత్తులు మింగినట్లు
abhimananiki mangalikattulu minginatlu
Swallowing barber's razors for the sake of self-respect.
This expression describes a situation where someone endures extreme pain, hardship, or self-destruction just to save face or uphold their pride/dignity. It is used when a person's ego or reputation forces them to accept a harmful situation without complaining.
కోడి కూయకపోతే తెల్లవారదా?
kodi kuyakapote tellavarada?
If the rooster doesn't crow, won't the sun rise?
This expression is used to humble someone who believes they are indispensable. It suggests that the world does not stop for one person and that natural or necessary events will occur regardless of a specific individual's contribution or presence.
వండినంతలోనే కుండకు దొరయగు.
vandinantalone kundaku dorayagu.
Becoming the master of the pot just by cooking it once.
This proverb is used to describe someone who becomes arrogant or acts like an expert immediately after completing a task once or gaining a small amount of experience. It highlights the tendency of some people to overstate their authority or skill without having earned it through long-term effort or mastery.
బిచ్చానికి పోయినా బిగువు తప్పలేదు, దుప్పటి పోయినా వల్లెవాటు తప్పలేదు
bichchaniki poyina biguvu tappaledu, duppati poyina vallevatu tappaledu
Although he goes to beg his pride is not diminished, although his cloth has gone the scarf is not removed from his neck.
This proverb describes a person who maintains an air of false pride or arrogance even after losing everything or falling into a miserable state. It is used to mock someone who refuses to let go of their vanity despite being in a position where they must beg or rely on others.
There's nothing agrees worse, than a proud mind and a beggar's purse. * Man kan ikke see en Anden langer end til Tenderne.
చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chinta chachchina pulupu chavadu
The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.
శాస్తుర్లవారు సంధ్య వార్వకపోతే పొద్దుకుంకదా?
shasturlavaru sandhya varvakapote poddukunkada?
If the priest does not perform the evening prayers, will the sun not set?
This expression is used to mock people who think they are indispensable or that their absence will stop the progress of a task. It highlights that the world doesn't stop for anyone and natural or inevitable events will occur regardless of an individual's participation.
మాటలు కోటలు దాటుతాయి, కాలు గడప దాటదు
matalu kotalu datutayi, kalu gadapa datadu
His words leap over forts, his foot does not cross the threshold.
This expression is used to describe people who talk big and boast about grand plans or achievements, but in reality, fail to take even the smallest action or initiative. It highlights the contrast between empty talk and lack of practical effort.
Great vaunters, little doers. ( French. )† * Il se ruine à promettre, et s'acquit à ne rien donner. † Grand vanteurs, petite faiseurs.
పెట్ట కూస్తే పుంజు కేరుతున్నది
petta kuste punju kerutunnadi
When the hen clucks, the cock chucks.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes credit or celebrates for something done by another person. It can also refer to a scenario where a subordinate's action makes the superior feel overly proud or boastful without personal effort.
రోషానికి పోయి రోలు మెడకు కట్టుకున్నట్లు
roshaniki poyi rolu medaku kattukunnatlu
Going for pride and tying a mortar stone around one's neck
This expression describes a situation where someone, driven by ego or a false sense of pride, takes on a burden or makes a decision that ultimately causes them great hardship or self-destruction. It is used when someone's stubbornness or anger leads to a self-inflicted problem.