Hypocrisy
వేస్తివిరా కన్నము అంటే, చేస్తివే కాపరము అన్నట్టు
vestivira kannamu ante, chestive kaparamu annattu
" So you've broken into the house, have you ?" [ said a wretched woman to a burglar ] " So you live in great style, do you ?" [ replied the thief ]. Disappointed expectations.
This proverb describes a situation where someone caught doing something wrong or illegal tries to act as if they have a legitimate right to be there or are doing something permanent and honorable. It is used to mock people who give ridiculous justifications for their obvious misdeeds or those who overstay their welcome shamelessly.
చిమటసింగమా గాజు రత్నమా
chimatasingama gaju ratnama
Are you a lion or a glass gem?
This expression is used to mock or question someone who talks big or acts superior but possesses no actual substance or value. It highlights the contrast between a fierce lion (symbolizing strength) and a piece of glass (symbolizing something cheap or fake pretending to be a gem).
అనుభవం ఒకరిది, ఆర్భాటం ఇంకొకరిది
anubhavam okaridi, arbhatam inkokaridi
Experience belongs to one person, while the showy display belongs to another.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person does the actual hard work or has the genuine expertise, while someone else takes the credit or makes a lot of noise and display to appear important without having done the work.
అంబలి తాగేవాడికి మీసాలెగబెట్టే వాడొకడా?
ambali tagevadiki misalegabette vadokada?
Does a person drinking porridge need someone else to lift his mustache?
This proverb is used to criticize unnecessary extravagance or dependency. It points out the absurdity of a person who is barely surviving on simple food (porridge) yet employs or expects an assistant for a trivial task like lifting their mustache. It highlights situations where someone has limited means but maintains high pretensions or employs unnecessary help for tasks they should do themselves.
మానిన రోగానికి మందువద్దు, ఈనిన కుక్క ఇంట ఉన్నది వైద్యుడా అన్నాడట
manina roganiki manduvaddu, inina kukka inta unnadi vaidyuda annadata
No medicine is needed for a healed disease; the doctor said there is a dog that has just given birth in the house.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes unnecessary excuses or complicates a simple matter. It refers to a doctor who, instead of admitting a patient is cured, gives a bizarre or irrelevant reason (like a nursing dog being present) to avoid providing further treatment or to cover up their lack of necessity.
ఆడది మేడిపండు లాంటిది
adadi medipandu lantidi
A woman is like a medipandu (fig fruit)
This proverb suggests that just as a fig fruit looks beautiful and smooth on the outside but may contain insects inside, a person's outward appearance or calm demeanor can be deceptive. It is typically used to remark that one cannot judge a woman's true character or the complexities of her mind solely based on her external appearance.
వాడలో నా పోకచెక్క సగం వున్నది భాయీ
vadalo na pokachekka sagam vunnadi bhayi
My half areca nut is in the ship, brother! A merchant was returning to his country in a ship which he had laden with areca-nuts. A friend on board cunningly dropped half of a nut which he was eating into the hold, exclaiming "My half nut is in the ship, brother!" The merchant laughing replied that he would restore it, on which the other, pretending to carry on the joke, made him give a bond to the effect that his half areca-nut was in the ship. The phrase also could be construed as meaning that half the areca-nuts in the ship were his. On arriving at their destination the merchant was prosecuted by the swindler and cheated out of half his cargo. Said of a clever cheat.
This expression is used to mock people who try to claim a share or establish a connection in something they have no right to, or who exaggerate their minimal involvement in a big event. It highlights the absurdity of claiming ownership or importance based on a trivial or non-existent contribution.
నిజమైన అంకులాడికి నిష్టలు బహుమెండు
nijamaina ankuladiki nishtalu bahumendu
A true flirt/deceitful person has many rituals and strict rules.
This proverb is used to describe hypocrites who pretend to be very pious or disciplined on the outside to hide their true character. It suggests that those who have something to hide often overcompensate by strictly following superficial traditions or showing excessive devotion to appear virtuous.
అదృష్టం చాలని ఆడుబిడ్డను అక్కటిలేని అల్లునికిచ్చి, అమావాస్య ఆదివారం నాటి ఆరుద్రానక్షత్రాన అతివైభవంగా వివాహం జరిపినట్లు.
adrishtam chalani adubiddanu akkatileni allunikichchi, amavasya adivaram nati arudranakshatrana ativaibhavanga vivaham jaripinatlu.
Like performing a grand wedding for an unfortunate daughter by marrying her to a heartless son-in-law on a Sunday that coincides with Amavasya and Arudra Nakshatra.
This proverb describes a situation where despite putting in immense effort or expense (the grand wedding), the fundamental choices or timing are so fundamentally flawed or inauspicious that the outcome is destined to be a failure. It is used to mock people who focus on outward show while ignoring essential compatibility or wisdom.
లేడిని చూచినవాళ్లంతా వేటగాళ్లే
ledini chuchinavallanta vetagalle
Everyone who sees a deer claims to be a hunter.
This proverb is used to describe people who boast about their skills or claim credit for something just by being present or witnessing an event. It highlights that observing a situation doesn't make one an expert or a participant in the actual hard work required for success.
దోచుకుపోయినవాడు దొర, దొరికినవాడు దొంగ.
dochukupoyinavadu dora, dorikinavadu donga.
The one who loots and gets away is a lord, the one who gets caught is a thief.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.
కుడుము దాచితే, అమ్మా కుడుములు వండమన్నట్లు
kudumu dachite, amma kudumulu vandamannatlu
Like hiding a steamed dumpling and asking mother to cook more steamed dumplings.
This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or needy while already possessing or hiding the very thing they are asking for. It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or someone who is being cunning by feigning ignorance to gain more.
మగాళ్ళ మెరుగులు మొగాలపైనే కనిపిస్తాయి
magalla merugulu mogalapaine kanipistayi
Men's shine/polish is visible only on their faces.
This expression is used to suggest that men often display their status, happiness, or well-being externally on their faces, or it can imply that their charm or effort is superficial and limited to their outward appearance.
పైన పటారం, లోపల లోటారం
paina pataram, lopala lotaram
Shiny on the outside, hollow on the inside
This expression describes something that looks attractive, grand, or high-quality on the surface but is actually empty, defective, or worthless inside. It is used to point out hypocrisy, superficial beauty, or deceptive appearances.
పాటిమీద దేవరకు కూటిమీదనే ఆలాపన
patimida devaraku kutimidane alapana
The deity on the mound always chants for food.
This proverb describes someone who is more interested in the perks or rewards of a job rather than the duty itself. It is used to mock people who pretend to be pious or professional but are actually focused solely on their personal gain or their next meal.
శుష్కప్రియాలు, శూన్యహస్తాలు.
shushkapriyalu, shunyahastalu.
Dry pleasantries, empty hands.
This expression describes a situation where someone offers a lot of sweet talk, empty promises, or fake affection but provides absolutely no practical help or tangible results. It is used to criticize people who are verbose in their kindness but stingy or useless when it comes to actual support or action.
వేషగాని అడుగులు వేటలో పనికివచ్చునా?
veshagani adugulu vetalo panikivachchuna?
Will the steps of a costume-wearer/actor be of any use in a real hunt?
This proverb is used to convey that superficial appearances or mere imitation of a skill (like acting) cannot replace genuine expertise and practical experience required for real-life challenges. Just because someone looks like a hunter or mimics the walk of one, they cannot succeed in a real hunt without the actual survival skills.
చేప కింద నీరులా
chepa kinda nirula
Like water under a mat.
This refers to something done secretly. Though on the surface it appears fine, it can be quite dangerous in the consequence.
భోజనానికి వచ్చి గొయ్యి త్రవ్వినట్టు.
bhojananiki vachchi goyyi travvinattu.
Like coming for a meal and digging a pit.
This expression describes extreme treachery or betrayal. It is used to refer to someone who receives hospitality or help from another person but then proceeds to plot against them or cause them harm.
బ్రాహ్మణులలో చిన్న, బెస్తలలో పెద్ద.
brahmanulalo chinna, bestalalo pedda.
The youngest among Brahmans, the eldest among fishermen. Are made drudges.
This proverb describes a person who holds a lowly or insignificant position within an elite or superior group, yet is considered highly influential or superior among a lower or less-privileged group. It is used to mock someone's shifting social status or their tendency to act superior only when among their subordinates.