అత్తిపండు పగలగొడితే అన్నీ పురుగులే

attipandu pagalagodite anni purugule

Translation

If you break open a fig fruit, it is full of worms.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe something that looks beautiful or perfect on the outside but is rotten, corrupt, or flawed on the inside. It serves as a warning not to judge things solely by their outward appearance.

Related Phrases

A fig fruit looks beautiful on the outside, but if you split it open, it is full of worms.

This proverb is used to describe people or things that appear attractive, virtuous, or perfect on the outside but are actually corrupt, deceptive, or flawed internally. It serves as a warning not to judge based solely on outward appearances.

Like a pest attacking before the flowering stage.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a project, idea, or life stage is ruined or faces major obstacles right at its inception or even before it has had a chance to begin properly. It signifies early misfortune or premature failure.

Like getting entangled when just trying to touch.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a simple or casual attempt to involve oneself in something leads to getting unexpectedly stuck, trapped, or deeply entangled in a complicated problem.

If one marries a blind woman because the dowry (oli) is low, she might end up breaking all the stacked pots.

This proverb warns against being penny-wise and pound-foolish. It describes a situation where someone chooses a cheaper or easier option to save money (like paying a smaller bride price), only to suffer much greater losses or damages later due to the inherent flaws or lack of suitability of that choice. It is used when a shortcut or cheap solution leads to expensive consequences.

Glitter on the outside, worms on the inside

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that looks attractive, polished, or perfect on the outside but is actually rotten, corrupt, or empty on the inside. It is equivalent to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' and is often used to warn against judging by outward appearances.

Rocks that do not break for crowbars will break silently for the roots of trees.

This proverb highlights that persistent, gentle, and quiet efforts can often achieve what brute force and loud confrontation cannot. It is used to describe how patience and consistency can overcome even the hardest obstacles or toughest people, similar to how soft roots can split massive boulders over time.

Worm eaten before blossoming.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a project or an endeavor faces significant problems or failure right at its inception, before it even has a chance to develop or show progress.

Premature. Precocious.

They say a stained fruit is not good

This expression means that people often judge something's quality based on its outward appearance. If a fruit has a blemish or a spot, people tend to assume it is rotten or of poor quality. It is used to describe how a person's reputation can be easily tarnished by a single mistake or flaw, leading others to disregard their positive qualities.

If it stings it is a scorpion, if it does not sting it is a mole cricket. A man's character is known by his acts.

This proverb describes someone whose character or intent is judged solely by their actions in the moment. It is used to describe unpredictable people who can be harmful or harmless depending on the situation, or to highlight that a person's reputation depends on their behavior.

If you break a fig, it is all worms.

This expression is used to describe something or someone that looks attractive, perfect, or virtuous on the outside but is actually rotten, corrupt, or full of flaws on the inside. It is often applied to deceptive appearances or hypocritical behavior.