Consequences
మహావృక్షం కింద మొక్కలు మొలవవు
mahavriksham kinda mokkalu molavavu
Plants do not grow under a giant tree
This expression is used to describe how a very dominant or famous personality can overshadow others around them, preventing them from developing their own identity or achieving success. Just as a large tree blocks sunlight and nutrients from smaller plants, a great person's influence might inadvertently stifle the growth of those in their immediate shadow.
అడుగులోనే హంసపాదా?
adugulone hamsapada?
What! a caret in the commencement ? Said by a man to an ignorant scribe who, in writing the customary invo- cation " Śrī Rāmajaya" at the heading of a letter, omitted a syllable. Blundering at the very beginning of any business. He who begins ill finishes worse. (Italian.)† Well begun is half done.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an obstacle or a mistake occurs at the very beginning of a task or journey. It is similar to the English idiom 'stumbling at the first hurdle' or 'a bad start.'
చదువు చదివెడి యయ్యలు పదవిని పొందంగలేరు
chaduvu chadivedi yayyalu padavini pondangaleru
The teachers/men who study continuously cannot attain high positions.
This expression suggests that those who remain perpetually stuck in books or theoretical learning without practical application or worldly wisdom often fail to reach high status or administrative success. It highlights the difference between academic knowledge and the street-smartness required for leadership.
గుడ్డి ఎద్దు చేలో పడ్డట్టు
guddi eddu chelo paddattu
Like a blind ox falling into a crop field.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks judgment and indiscriminately consumes or grabs everything they encounter without considering quality or consequences. Just as a blind ox cannot distinguish between good crops and weeds and eats everything in its path, it refers to acting blindly or haphazardly in a situation of abundance.
కులానికి కులం తెగులు, నీటికి పాచి తెగులు
kulaniki kulam tegulu, nitiki pachi tegulu
Caste is a plague to its own caste, just as moss is a plague to water.
This proverb highlights internal conflicts and self-destruction within a community. It means that the biggest threat or decay to a group usually comes from its own members, much like how moss originates from and eventually covers the water it grows in. It is used to describe situations where people harm their own kind.
ధర్మానికి పోతే కర్మం చుట్టుకున్నట్టు
dharmaniki pote karmam chuttukunnattu
When one went to do a righteous deed, a misfortune wrapped around them.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to do a good deed or help others, but instead of receiving gratitude or success, they end up getting into trouble or facing negative consequences themselves.
కుక్క అమేధ్యము తిన్నది
kukka amedhyamu tinnadi
The dog ate filth.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone has done something highly inappropriate, disgusting, or shameful and is now suffering the consequences or is being ignored. In a broader sense, it is used to dismiss someone's irrelevant or foul words, implying that whatever they say is as worthless as the act described.
The nature of the animal.
గచ్చకాయల కుండవలె
gachchakayala kundavale
Like a pot full of fever nuts (Gachakayalu)
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is extremely unstable, noisy, or prone to sudden disruption. Since Gachakayalu (fever nuts) are hard, round, and smooth, a pot filled with them will rattle loudly at the slightest touch and the nuts will easily spill out and scatter everywhere if the pot tips even slightly.
చచ్చినవాని కండ్లు చేరెడు
chachchinavani kandlu cheredu
A dead man's eyes are very broad.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or achievements of someone after they are gone or after an opportunity is lost. It highlights the human tendency to over-praise or sentimentalize things that are no longer available to be verified.
Lavishing praises on the dead which were not bestowed on the living. * Mellitum venenum, blanda oratio. † Palabras azucaradas por mas son amargas.
చేయని చేతులు, కుడువని నోరు
cheyani chetulu, kuduvani noru
Hands that do not work, a mouth that does not eat.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the principle of self-reliance. It suggests that one who is unwilling to work or put in the effort does not deserve to enjoy the fruits or benefits. It is used to motivate someone to work hard or to critique laziness.
కుడవబోతూ కూరాకు రుచి అడిగినట్లు
kudavabotu kuraku ruchi adiginatlu
Like asking for the taste of the curry just as one is about to eat.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for feedback or information right at the moment they are about to experience the result firsthand. It highlights the pointlessness or impatience of questioning something that will be self-evident in a matter of seconds.
పిండి, ప్రోలు లేనిదే పెండ్లవునా?
pindi, prolu lenide pendlavuna?
Can a wedding happen without flour and the sacred heap of grain?
This proverb is used to emphasize that certain essential prerequisites or materials are absolutely necessary to complete a task or a ceremony. Just as a traditional Telugu wedding cannot proceed without 'Pindi' (flour for rangoli/rituals) and 'Prolu' (ceremonial heap of grain), one cannot expect results without providing the fundamental requirements.
గతికితే అతకదు
gatikite atakadu
If you lick it, it won't stick
This proverb is used to emphasize that something done greedily, shortcuts, or improper methods will not result in a lasting or quality outcome. It is often applied to work or relationships where integrity is lacking, suggesting that temporary fixes or selfish actions prevent a proper bond or success.
లేనిదానికోసం పోతే ఉన్నది కాస్తాపోయింది
lenidanikosam pote unnadi kastapoyindi
When going after what one doesn't have, even the little one had was lost.
This proverb describes a situation where greed or the pursuit of unattainable goals leads to the loss of existing resources or assets. It is used to advise someone to be content with what they have or to warn against taking excessive risks that might jeopardize their current security.
చేప అని ముసలి నోట్లో చేయి పెట్టినట్లు
chepa ani musali notlo cheyi pettinatlu
Like putting one's hand in a crocodile's mouth thinking it's a fish.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unknowingly gets into a dangerous or disastrous situation while expecting something harmless or beneficial. It highlights a grave error in judgment or a lack of caution.
మనుం గొట్టగా మాసం చిక్కినాడు.
manum gottaga masam chikkinadu.
When the canal was struck (to catch fish), a thief was caught.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone happens to get caught for their previous misdeeds or hidden secrets while an unrelated activity or investigation is taking place. It is similar to the idea of a 'windfall' discovery but in a negative or corrective context.
ఒళ్ళంతా తడిసినాక చలిలేదు, అప్పులయ్యాక భయం లేదు.
ollanta tadisinaka chaliledu, appulayyaka bhayam ledu.
Once the whole body is drenched, there is no fear of cold; once in debt, there is no fear of creditors.
This proverb describes a state of reaching a tipping point where a person becomes indifferent to further consequences because they have already experienced the worst. It is used to describe someone who has become thick-skinned or desensitized to a difficult situation.
ఒకనాడు విందు ఒకనాడు మందు
okanadu vindu okanadu mandu
One day a feast, one day medicine
This expression warns about the consequences of overindulgence. It implies that if you feast excessively today, you will have to take medicine for health issues tomorrow. It is used to advise moderation in eating and lifestyle habits.
కుక్కకు వచ్చేవి అన్నీ గొగ్గి పళ్లే
kukkaku vachchevi anni goggi palle
All the teeth that a dog gets are crooked.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is inherently flawed or whose every action/word is troublesome. Just as one cannot expect a dog to have perfectly aligned human-like teeth, one shouldn't expect quality, honesty, or refinement from someone who lacks character or capability. It implies that everything stemming from a bad source will be bad.
Said of a man who spoils every thing he meddles with.
కుక్కకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, చెప్పులన్నీ కొరికి పెట్టినదట
kukkaku pettanamiste, cheppulanni koriki pettinadata
If you give authority to a dog, it will bite all the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power or responsibility to an incompetent, unworthy, or foolish person. Instead of performing the duties properly, such a person will only cause destruction or focus on their base instincts, similar to how a dog given authority over a house would simply ruin the footwear.