ఆచారం చెప్పిన పెద్దమనిషి ఆకూటికే
acharam cheppina peddamanishi akutike
The gentleman who preaches customs also seeks the same food.
This expression is used to highlight hypocrisy. It describes a person who preaches strict rules, values, or traditions to others but ignores them when it comes to their own personal gain or basic needs. It suggests that even those who act superior or disciplined are ultimately driven by the same basic desires or self-interest as everyone else.
Related Phrases
మనిషి కాటుకు మందు లేదు.
manishi katuku mandu ledu.
There is no medicine for the bite of a man. The bite of an enraged man is said to be fatally poisonous.
This proverb refers to the malicious nature of human behavior, specifically betrayal, gossip, or cruelty. While there are remedies for snake bites or animal wounds, the damage caused by a person's words or actions can be irreparable and impossible to heal with physical medicine.
చెవిలో చెప్పిన మాటగాని, అరచి చెప్పిన మాటగాని వినదగి యుండవు.
chevilo cheppina matagani, arachi cheppina matagani vinadagi yundavu.
Neither a word whispered in the ear nor a word shouted aloud will be worthy of listening.
This expression suggests that communication lacks credibility or value when it is done in extremes. Whispering implies secrecy or manipulation, while shouting implies force or lack of reason. It is used to emphasize that truth and wisdom are best shared through open, calm, and moderate dialogue.
మనిషి పేద అయీతే మాటకు పేదా?
manishi peda ayite mataku peda?
Does it mean that being poor, one should be poor in one’s speech as well?
One may give a noble speech, even if one is financially poor. The nobility of one does not depend on one’s wealth or the lack of it.
పెద్దఇంటి అంకు, పెద్దమనిషి బొంకు తెలియవు.
peddainti anku, peddamanishi bonku teliyavu.
The impurity of a great house and the lie of a gentleman are never known.
This proverb highlights that the flaws or misdeeds of influential, wealthy, or high-status individuals are often hidden from public view or suppressed by their reputation. It is used to describe how power and status can mask hypocrisy and dishonesty.
పెయ్యను కాపాడమని పెద్దపులికి అప్పజెప్పినట్లు
peyyanu kapadamani peddapuliki appajeppinatlu
Like entrusting a tiger to protect a calf
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks protection or help from the very person who is likely to cause them harm. It highlights the foolishness of trusting a predator with its natural prey or putting a person in charge of something they are known to exploit.
ఏమే వాడి దగ్గర పండుకొన్నావంటే, అంత పెద్దమనిషి చేయి పట్టుకుంటే కాదనేది ఎట్లా? అన్నదట.
eme vadi daggara pandukonnavante, anta peddamanishi cheyi pattukunte kadanedi etla? annadata.
When asked why she slept with him, she replied, 'How can I say no when such an influential/great man grabs my hand?'
This satirical proverb is used to criticize people who justify their wrongdoings or lack of character by citing the high status or power of the person who led them astray. It mocks those who use 'politeness' or 'respect for authority' as a weak excuse for committing an immoral or inappropriate act.
ఆచారం ఆచారం అన్నంభొట్లూ అంటే, పెద్ద చెరువు కుక్క ముట్టుకొన్నది అన్నట్టు.
acharam acharam annambhotlu ante, pedda cheruvu kukka muttukonnadi annattu.
[ Seeing a hypocrite ] they cried out, “O Annambhotlu! purity! purity!” He answered “Alas! a dog has touched the big tank.”
This proverb is used to mock hypocritical or excessive obsession with ritual purity or rules. It suggests that while someone is fussing over minor details of cleanliness or tradition, a much larger, unavoidable 'impurity' or problem has already occurred, rendering their fussing pointless.
చెప్పంత పొలము చెప్పినట్లు కొనాలి.
cheppanta polamu cheppinatlu konali.
One should buy land that is exactly as described.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of verifying facts and ensuring transparency in transactions. It suggests that if someone describes a piece of land to be a certain way, it must be acquired only if it matches that description exactly, warning against deceptive marketing or hidden flaws in deals.
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.
ఎంత పండినా కూటికే, ఎంత ఉండినా కాటికే.
enta pandina kutike, enta undina katike.
No matter how much is harvested, it's for food; no matter how much one has, it ends at the cremation ground.
This proverb reflects on the ultimate simplicity and transience of life. It emphasizes that despite one's wealth, achievements, or surplus, the basic necessity remains food, and the final destination for everyone is death. It is used to counsel humility and to remind people not to be overly greedy or proud of their possessions.