అవివేకితో స్నేహముకన్నా వివేకితో విరోధము మేలు.
avivekito snehamukanna vivekito virodhamu melu.
Enmity with a wise man is better than friendship with a fool.
It is safer and more beneficial to have an intelligent person as an enemy than to have a foolish person as a friend. A wise enemy is predictable and may have principles, whereas a foolish friend can cause unintended harm through their lack of judgment.
Related Phrases
పేదవాని స్నేహం, మహారాజు విరోధం సహింపరానివి
pedavani sneham, maharaju virodham sahimparanivi
The friendship of a poor man and the enmity of a king are both unbearable.
This proverb highlights the burdens of unbalanced relationships. A poor person's friendship may constantly require financial help you cannot provide, while a king's (or a powerful person's) enmity can lead to total destruction. It advises caution regarding the social and economic standing of those with whom we form deep bonds or conflicts.
లోభికి ధర్మచింత, వెట్టివానికి వివేకము దూరము.
lobhiki dharmachinta, vettivaniki vivekamu duramu.
Charity is distant to a miser, and wisdom is distant to a fool.
This proverb describes inherent limitations of certain characters. A miser, by nature, cannot think of being charitable or righteous because of their obsession with hoarding. Similarly, a person who lacks common sense or works mindlessly (vetty) cannot be expected to possess wisdom or discernment. It is used to suggest that one shouldn't expect noble qualities from people whose nature is fundamentally opposed to them.
గాడిదతో స్నేహం కాలి తన్నులకే
gadidato sneham kali tannulake
Friendship with a donkey leads to kicks to the legs
This proverb is used to warn that associating with foolish, uncivilized, or malicious people will only result in harm or insults. It implies that regardless of your kindness, a person with a bad nature will eventually hurt you, just as a donkey's nature is to kick.
అకట వికటపు రాజుకు అవివేకి ప్రధాని, చాదస్తపు పరివారము
akata vikatapu rajuku aviveki pradhani, chadastapu parivaramu
A foolish minister, and a clumsy retinue, to a perverse king.
This proverb describes a situation where an entire administration or team is incompetent. If the leader is irrational or stubborn, they often surround themselves with fools and old-fashioned, narrow-minded people, leading to total chaos and failure.
చరిత్ర వివేకులకు దారిచూపి, అవివేకులను వెంట ఈడ్చుకొని పోవును
charitra vivekulaku darichupi, avivekulanu venta idchukoni povunu
History shows the way to the wise, and drags the foolish along.
This expression emphasizes that those who learn from the past can use that knowledge to navigate the future successfully, whereas those who ignore historical lessons are forced to suffer the consequences of repeating the same mistakes.
నిప్పుకూ నీళ్లకూ ఉండే స్నేహం
nippuku nillaku unde sneham
The friendship existing between fire and water. They agree like cats and dogs.
This expression is used to describe a relationship between two people or entities that are fundamentally incompatible or are bitter enemies. Since fire and water cannot coexist without one destroying the other, it represents a state of constant conflict or an impossible alliance.
అన్నరసముకన్నా ఆదరణరసము మేలు
annarasamukanna adaranarasamu melu
A kind reception is better than a feast.
This proverb emphasizes that when hosting someone, the warmth, hospitality, and respect shown to the guest are far more important than the quality or quantity of the food served. It is used to highlight that material offerings lose their value if they are not given with a kind heart.
Welcome is the best cheer. In hospitality it is the spirit that is the chief thing. (Greek.)
వేచని కందిపప్పు, అవివేకుని మెప్పు.
vechani kandipappu, avivekuni meppu.
Unroasted pigeon peas and a fool's praise.
This proverb highlights things that are useless or unpleasant. Just as unroasted pigeon peas (kandipappu) do not cook well and lack flavor, the praise of an unintelligent person or a fool carries no value and should not be taken seriously.
చెప్పేవాడికి సిగ్గు లేకపోతే వినేవాడికైనా వివేకం ఉండాలి
cheppevadiki siggu lekapote vinevadikaina vivekam undali
When the slanderer has no shame should not the hearer at least use discrimination? Should he not swallow it cum grano salis? Though the speaker be a fool let the hearer be wise. (Spanish.)* Hear the other side, and believe little. (Italian.)† Every man's tale is gude till anither's be tauld. (Scots.)
This proverb is used when someone is making unreasonable demands, telling blatant lies, or talking nonsense. It suggests that even if the speaker is being foolish or shameless, the listener should be wise enough to ignore them or not take them seriously.
కట్టేవాడు అవివేకి, ఇంట్లో బాడుగకు ఉండేవాడు వివేకి.
kattevadu aviveki, intlo badugaku undevadu viveki.
The one who builds is a fool; the one who lives there for rent is a wise person.
This proverb reflects a traditional perspective on the financial burden and long-term maintenance troubles associated with building and owning a house. It suggests that while the owner takes on all the debt, stress of construction, and upkeep costs, the tenant enjoys the comfort of the home without the associated risks or responsibilities.