అప్పున్నవాడితోటీ, చెప్పులున్నవాడితోటీ వెళ్ళకూడదంటారు.
appunnavaditoti, cheppulunnavaditoti vellakudadantaru.
They say one should not walk with a person who is in debt or a person wearing footwear.
This proverb advises against traveling with people who might slow you down or bring trouble. A person in debt might be stopped by creditors, causing delays or embarrassment to the companion. Similarly, in ancient times, walking with someone wearing sandals while you were barefoot (or vice-versa) created a mismatch in pace and social comfort. It is used to suggest that choosing the right company is essential for a smooth journey or venture.
Related Phrases
పదిమందితోటి చావు పెండ్లితో సమానం
padimanditoti chavu pendlito samanam
With many people death is equal to marriage. Applied to an honorable death in a good cause.
This proverb suggests that when a misfortune or hardship is shared by many, it becomes easier to bear. Just as a wedding is a communal celebration, facing a difficult situation as a group provides collective strength and comfort, making even a 'death-like' situation feel less burdensome.
మొండిచేతితోటి మొత్తుకొన్నట్టు
mondichetitoti mottukonnattu
Like beating one's mouth (lamentation) with a maimed hand. Doing any thing clumsily.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply frustrated or grieving but is unable to effectively express their pain or do anything about it. It signifies a state of utter helplessness where even one's attempts to lament are ineffective or incomplete due to a lack of resources or capability.
అప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట, చెప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట పోకూడదు.
appulunna vadi venta, cheppulunna vadi venta pokudadu.
Do not follow a person in debt, nor a person wearing sandals.
This proverb warns against following people who might cause trouble or leave you behind. A debtor might flee suddenly to escape creditors, leading you into their mess, while someone with sandals can walk faster through rough terrain, potentially leaving you stranded or forcing you to keep an unsustainable pace.
అల్లుడికి నెయ్యీ లేదు, అల్లుడితోటి కూడా వచ్చినవారికి నూనే లేదు
alludiki neyyi ledu, alluditoti kuda vachchinavariki nune ledu
There is neither ghi for the son-in-law, nor oil for his friends. Said of inability in 'a person to do that which his duty imperatively requires of him.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the primary guest or the most important person is being neglected or lacks basic hospitality; therefore, those who came along with them should expect even less or nothing at all. It highlights total scarcity or a lack of proper treatment for everyone involved.
అప్పులున్నవాడి వెంట చెప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట పోరాదు.
appulunnavadi venta cheppulunna vadi venta poradu.
Do not walk behind a debtor or someone wearing sandals.
This proverb warns against following people who are in a hurry or in trouble. A debtor is always running away from creditors, and someone with footwear can walk fast or tread on rough ground where you might not be able to keep up. It is used as a metaphor to advise staying away from people who are either fleeing their responsibilities or have an advantage that might lead you into difficult situations.
రోలు వెళ్లి మద్దెలతో మొరపెట్టుకున్నట్లు
rolu velli maddelato morapettukunnatlu
The mortar complaining to the drum. The mortar is beaten on one side ( by the pestle )—the drum is beaten on both sides.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person seeks sympathy for their troubles from someone who is actually suffering even more. In the metaphor, the mortar is hit on one side, but the drum (maddela) is beaten on both sides. It highlights the irony of complaining to someone in a worse position.
పేదవాడి పెళ్ళాం ఊరికంతా వదిన
pedavadi pellam urikanta vadina
A poor man's wife is a sister-in-law to the whole village.
This proverb highlights how people tend to take liberties with those who lack social or financial standing. Just as a 'Vadina' (sister-in-law) is someone one can joke with or command in a traditional family, a poor person's family is often treated with a lack of respect or boundaries by everyone in society because they lack the power to protest.
సాలెవాడితో మాలవాడితో సావాసం పనికిరాదు
salevadito malavadito savasam panikiradu
Association with a weaver or a laborer is not advisable.
This is an old proverb reflecting historical social prejudices. It suggests that associating with certain groups (historically based on caste or occupation) might lead to complications or is unsuitable for one's status. In a modern context, it is used to caution against keeping company with people who have incompatible lifestyles or those who might cause trouble, though it is largely considered outdated due to its discriminatory roots.
చెప్పులు ఉన్నవాడితోను, అప్పులు ఉన్నవాడితోను పోరాదు
cheppulu unnavaditonu, appulu unnavaditonu poradu
Do not fight with a person wearing footwear or a person who is in debt.
This proverb advises caution when picking fights. A person with footwear has a physical advantage in a scuffle, while a person in heavy debt has nothing left to lose and may act desperately or recklessly. It serves as a warning to consider the opponent's situation before engaging in conflict.
తొత్తు కింద బడితొత్తు
tottu kinda baditottu
A servant under a servant
This expression describes a situation where someone is subordinate to an individual who is themselves in a lowly or subservient position. It highlights an extreme lack of authority or a hierarchy of servitude, often used to mock someone who is at the absolute bottom of a social or organizational ladder.