అపండితునికంటే అర్థపండితుడే అపాయకరం.

apanditunikante arthapanditude apayakaram.

Translation

A half-scholar is more dangerous than an uneducated person.

Meaning

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.' It suggests that someone who possesses incomplete or superficial knowledge but thinks they are an expert is more likely to cause harm or make mistakes than someone who admits to knowing nothing at all.

Related Phrases

Like harm following a gesture of help

This proverb is used when a person's attempt to do a good deed or help someone results in unexpected negative consequences or trouble for themselves. It describes situations where kindness is met with ingratitude or accidental misfortune.

If he says it's Śiva's bull, it is Śiva's bull; if he says it's a pig, it is a pig.

This expression describes extreme sycophancy, blind obedience, or a 'yes-man' attitude. It is used to characterize someone who agrees with everything a powerful person says, even if the statements are contradictory or obviously false, just to please them.

Said of the power of a great and unjust man.

Immediately after doing good, I received an ill return. Base ingratitude.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to help or do a good deed backfires, resulting in trouble or an ungrateful response from the recipient. It is similar to the English saying 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

A fully ripened fruit will fall on its own.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a natural outcome or a result occurs automatically when the time is right, without needing external force. It suggests patience, implying that when a process is complete or a person is mature enough, the transition or consequence will happen naturally.

Like receiving harm when going to do a favor.

This expression is used when a person's good intentions or helpful actions result in an unexpected negative outcome or trouble for themselves. It describes a situation where someone tries to help others but ends up being blamed, criticized, or harmed in return.

If you say it's a bull, it's a bull; if you say it's a pig, it's a pig.

This expression describes a person who is a 'yes-man' or someone who blindly agrees with whatever an influential person says, regardless of the truth or logic. It highlights submissiveness or a lack of independent judgment, often used to mock someone who changes their stance just to please a superior.

To an extreme miser, the one who doesn't ask is a scholar.

This proverb describes the nature of stingy people who view anyone who doesn't request money or favors as wise or respectable. It is used to mock misers who judge a person's character solely based on whether they are a financial burden to them or not.

Silence is half-acceptance

This expression is used to suggest that if a person remains silent when asked a question or confronted with a proposal, it can be interpreted as their tacit approval or partial agreement. It implies that silence serves as a substitute for a 'yes' when no objection is voiced.

To an extremely miserly king, the one who doesn't ask for anything is the greatest scholar.

This proverb describes the nature of stingy people. A miser appreciates those who do not demand money or favors, often valuing them more than those with actual merit. It is used to mock people who measure others' worth based on how little they cost or ask for.

If the pigeon pea crop yields, the famine will end.

This proverb highlights the importance of the red gram (pigeon pea) crop in agrarian life. It signifies that a single successful harvest of a staple crop can alleviate long-term hardship or financial distress. It is used to express that one significant success can solve many prevailing problems.