ఆడి తప్పరాదు, పలికి బొంకరాదు
adi tapparadu, paliki bonkaradu
Do not fail after playing (committing), do not lie after speaking.
This expression emphasizes the importance of integrity and keeping one's word. It suggests that once a promise is made or a statement is uttered, one must stand by it and never retreat from their commitment or resort to lies.
Related Phrases
బొంకరా బొంకరా పోలిగా అంటే, టంగుటూరి మిరియాలు తాటికాయలంతేసి అన్నాడట
bonkara bonkara poliga ante, tanguturi miriyalu tatikayalantesi annadata
"Go on with your lies Pôliga," said one, "The Ṭanguṭûru pepper is as big as Palmyra fruit," he replied.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, when given the freedom to lie or exaggerate, does so in such an absurd and unbelievable manner that it loses all credibility. It is used to mock people who make outrageous claims or tell tall tales without any sense of proportion.
He may lie boldly who comes from afar. ( French. ) * A beau mantir qui vient de lois.
వినరాదు, కనరాదు, అనరాదు.
vinaradu, kanaradu, anaradu.
Should not hear, should not see, should not say.
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle (See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). It serves as a moral guideline advising people to avoid listening to gossip or negativity, refrain from witnessing bad deeds, and avoid speaking ill of others or using harsh language.
పథ్యం చెడరాదు, సత్యం తప్పరాదు
pathyam chedaradu, satyam tapparadu
Dietary discipline should not be spoiled, truth should not be forsaken.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline and integrity in one's life. It suggests that just as maintaining a strict diet is essential for physical health, adhering to the truth is essential for moral health. It is used to advise someone to remain committed to their principles and health habits regardless of temptations.
పత్యం చెడరాదు, సత్యం తప్పరాదు.
patyam chedaradu, satyam tapparadu.
Dietary discipline should not be spoiled, truth should not be failed.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline in health and integrity in character. It suggests that just as one must strictly follow a prescribed diet (Pathyam) for physical recovery, one must strictly adhere to the truth for moral well-being. Both are essential for a healthy life.
పదం తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padam tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme should not be missed.
This expression is used to describe someone who prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearances over the actual substance or truth of a matter. It often refers to people who focus more on making their speech sound catchy or poetic rather than ensuring it is accurate or meaningful.
ఆడి తప్పరాదు, పలికి బొంకరాదు
adi tapparadu, paliki bonkaradu
Having promised, you should not fail; having spoken, you should not lie (retract).
This proverb emphasizes the importance of integrity, honesty, and keeping one's word. It suggests that once you have made a promise (ఆడి) or made a statement (పలికి), you must stand by it and not deviate or lie about it later. It is used to describe a person of high moral character who honors their commitments.
పదము తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padamu tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme must not be missed.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.
బొంకరా బొంకరా పోలుగా అంటే, ఎద్దు అడుగులో ఏడు కొరమీనులు అన్నాడట.
bonkara bonkara poluga ante, eddu adugulo edu koraminulu annadata.
When told to lie, Poluga said there were seven snakehead fish in a bull's hoofprint.
This proverb is used to describe someone who, when given an inch, takes a mile—specifically in the context of exaggeration or lying. It refers to a person who loses all sense of proportion or realism when encouraged to fabricate a story, making claims that are physically impossible or absurdly exaggerated.
కోతికి బెల్లం చూపరాదు, కోమటికి ధనం చూపరాదు
kotiki bellam chuparadu, komatiki dhanam chuparadu
Do not show jaggery to a monkey, do not show wealth to a merchant.
This proverb suggests that certain things act as irresistible temptations or triggers for specific groups. Just as a monkey will become uncontrollable or persistent upon seeing jaggery, a greedy person or a shrewd businessman will try any means to acquire wealth once they see it. It is used as a cautionary advice to not reveal valuable resources to those who might exploit them.
వాసం పారు తప్పరాదు చుట్టరికం కులంతప్పరాదు
vasam paru tapparadu chuttarikam kulantapparadu
The rafter must not miss the ridge, and a kinship must not miss the caste.
This is a traditional proverb emphasizing social conformity and the importance of adhering to structural or communal norms. It suggests that just as a building's rafter (vaasam) must align perfectly with the main beam (paaru) to remain stable, marriages and social relations should stay within traditional boundaries to maintain social order.