అందరూ ఒక ఎత్తు, అగస్త్యుడు ఒక ఎత్తు, అతని కమండలం ఒక ఎత్తు
andaru oka ettu, agastyudu oka ettu, atani kamandalam oka ettu
The whole people [of the earth], the sage Agastya, and his jar are all of equal weight. The legend is that when all the great men of the earth had, on one occasion, assembled at Kailâsa, their weight was so great that the earth began to topple over. On this, Agastya was sent to weigh down the other side which he accordingly did, but his presence being afterwards required at Kailâsa, he transferred his virtue to his jar of holy waters, left it to balance the earth, and obeyed the summons.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person stands out significantly from the rest, but even their small tools or specific eccentricities are equally formidable or noteworthy. It highlights exceptional skill, importance, or the unique weight of a person's character compared to a large group.
* Besser freundlich versagen, als unwilling gewähren.
Related Phrases
రోగము ఒకటి, మందు ఒకటి
rogamu okati, mandu okati
The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.
బుర్రకు ఒక గుణము, జిహ్వకు ఒక రుచి.
burraku oka gunamu, jihvaku oka ruchi.
Every head has its idiosyncrasy, and every tongue its taste. All tastes are tastes. (Italian.) There is no disputing of tastes, appetites, and fancies.
This proverb highlights the diversity of human nature and preferences. It suggests that just as different people enjoy different flavors, every individual possesses their own unique way of thinking, personality traits, and opinions. It is used to explain why people disagree or have varying interests.
* Tutti i gusti son gusti. 36
తానూ ఒక మనిషేనా తవుడూ ఒక రొట్టేనా
tanu oka manishena tavudu oka rottena
He calls himself a man, and the bran he eats, bread. A vulgar person taking airs.
This proverb is used to dismiss someone's significance or capability by comparing them to something of poor quality, like bread made from bran (chaff). It is typically used when a person of low status or limited skill attempts to do something beyond their reach, or when someone is being ignored as insignificant.
మూడు మూరల ఒక చుట్టు, ముప్పై మూరల ఒక చుట్టు.
mudu murala oka chuttu, muppai murala oka chuttu.
Three cubits once round, thirty cubits once round [ the body ]. A woman on being given cloths of different lengths, complained in each case that the cloth would go only once round her body. Not to be satisfied.
This proverb refers to efficiency and laziness. It describes a situation where one person wraps a rope or cloth carefully in small, precise loops (three cubits), while another person, out of laziness or haste, wraps it in huge, messy loops (thirty cubits) just to finish the job quickly. It is used to criticize sloppy work done without attention to detail.
కట్టినవారు ఒకరు అయితే, కాపురం చేసేవారు మరొకరు
kattinavaru okaru ayite, kapuram chesevaru marokaru
The builder [of a house] is one and he who lives in it is another. " He that buildeth, [ let him be ] as he that shall not dwell therein." 2 Esdras xvi. 42.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person puts in all the hard work, investment, or effort to create something, but a different person ultimately reaps the benefits or enjoys the results. It highlights the irony of life where the creator and the consumer are often different people.
వేసినదే ఒక గంతు, విరిగినదే ఒక కాలు
vesinade oka gantu, viriginade oka kalu
One leap leapt, one leg broken. Loss in the first venture.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone experiences failure or a major setback on their very first attempt at something. It highlights immediate bad luck or the consequences of an ill-prepared venture.
బాధకు ఒక కాలము, భాగ్యానికి ఒక కాలము.
badhaku oka kalamu, bhagyaniki oka kalamu.
A time for misfortune, a time for fortune.
This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.
ఏనుగుకు ఒక సీమ, గుర్రానికి ఒక ఊరు, బర్రెకు ఒక బానిసె.
enuguku oka sima, gurraniki oka uru, barreku oka banise.
To keep an elephant [ a man requires ] a country, to keep a horse a village, and to keep a she-buffalo a maid.
This proverb describes the specific resource requirements of different animals based on their status and size. It is used metaphorically to explain that every individual or entity needs an environment or support system proportionate to their scale or nature to thrive.
కుమ్మరికి ఒక ఏడు, గుదియకు ఒక పెట్టు
kummariki oka edu, gudiyaku oka pettu
One year to the potter, one blow to the cudgel. The cudgel destroys in one blow what has cost the potter a year's labour. The sudden loss of that gained by much labour.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the time and effort taken to create something versus how easily it can be destroyed. It is used to describe situations where long-term hard work is undone in a single moment of misfortune or a single careless act.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'