ఆవు చేనిలో మేస్తే, దూడ గట్టున మేస్తుందా?
avu chenilo meste, duda gattuna mestunda?
If the cow grazes in the field, will the calf graze on the bank? Intimate friends, or near relatives, will follow in the same path.
This proverb is used to describe how children often follow the example (good or bad) set by their parents. It suggests that if a parent indulges in a certain behavior, it is inevitable that their children will do the same, as they naturally imitate their elders.
* Un bon bailleur en fait bailler deux.
Related Phrases
జిల్లేడు చెట్టున పారిజాతములు పుట్టునా?
jilledu chettuna parijatamulu puttuna?
Will Pārijāta flowers grow on a Jillēḍu tree?
This proverb is used to express that good or noble qualities cannot be expected from someone or something that is inherently inferior or bad. Just as a fragrant, divine flower like Parijata cannot grow on a toxic, milky weed like Jilledu (Calotropis), one cannot expect greatness from a base origin or nature.
Pārijāta is the Nyctanthes Arbor Tristis, a very celebrated tree said to grow in Svarga, Indra's paradise (W. Elliot). Jillēḍu is the Calotropes Gigantea.
నంగి వంగలు మేస్తే నారికేళాలు దూడ మేసినది అన్నాడట.
nangi vangalu meste narikelalu duda mesinadi annadata.
" When the Nangi ate up the brinjals, the calf ate up the cocoanuts" said he. A certain Śūdra named Vēṇu before going on a pilgrimage delivered over charge of his brinjal garden to a Komati called Kustumbha. When he returned and applied for his garden his friend told him that the Nangi had eaten up all the brinjals. Vēṇu knew that no such animal existed, but remained quiet and waited his opportunity to pay off the Kōmati. Shortly afterwards Kustumbha required a man to watch his cocoanut garden and engaged Vēṇu for this work. The Śūdra sold all the cocoa- nuts and appropriated the proceeds. On being questioned by the Komati, Vēṇu told him that the calf had eaten all the cocoanuts. "How is that?" asked Kustumbha, "How could it reach them?" "Oh" replied Vēṇu "When the Nangi ate the brinjals could not the calf eat the cocoanuts?" The Komati, knowing his own dishonesty, could give no answer.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates a simple fact into something impossible or absurd. It highlights how rumors or stories grow wildly out of proportion as they are passed along, or how someone tries to cover up a small truth with a massive lie.
కనుమలమీద మొయిలు మేస్తే కళ్ళముందర వాన
kanumalamida moyilu meste kallamundara vana
If clouds graze on the mountain passes, rain is right before your eyes.
This is a traditional weather-related proverb (sameta) used by farmers and rural folk. It suggests that when clouds settle low or hover over the hills and mountain gaps, it is a definitive sign that immediate rainfall is imminent in the local area.
తల్లి చేను మేస్తే, పిల్ల గట్టు మేస్తుందా?
talli chenu meste, pilla gattu mestunda?
If the mother cow grazes in the crop field, will the calf graze on the boundary?
Children naturally follow the habits and behavior of their parents. If the elders set a bad example or engage in wrongdoing, the younger generation will likely follow suit or even exceed them in those actions. It is used to emphasize that one's upbringing and parental influence shape their character.
సామజము చెరుకు మేస్తే, దోమలు ఎన్ని అయినా తోలగలవా?
samajamu cheruku meste, domalu enni ayina tolagalava?
When an elephant feeds on the sugar-cane, can any number of mosquitos drive him away ?
This proverb highlights that minor disturbances or insignificant people cannot stop a powerful person or a grand task from progressing. It is used to describe situations where someone of great strength or status remains unbothered by petty criticisms or trivial obstacles.
గుడ్డిలో మెల్ల
guddilo mella
Squint is better than blindness
A slightly better position. All pleasures and miseries are relative. When compared with a man with two of his legs amputated, the one with at least one leg is fortunate. It is the positive (optimistic) attitude that matters.
గాడిద గత్తెర
gadida gattera
Donkey's chaos/clipping
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme chaos, disorder, or a messy state of affairs. It often refers to something that is disorganized, nonsensical, or a noisy disturbance where nothing constructive is happening.
మీన మేషాలు లెక్కించడం
mina meshalu lekkinchadam
Counting Pisces and Aries.
This expression refers to a state of indecisiveness, hesitation, or procrastination. It is used when someone wastes time or delays a decision by over-analyzing trivial things or waiting for an auspicious moment rather than taking action.
కంచే చేను మేసింది.
kanche chenu mesindi.
The fence ate up the crop.
This proverb is used when the law-enforcing officer demands and gets bribe. It calls upon the custodians of law to abide by law themselves and give no scope for any lapses in the performance of their duties.
మద్దిమాను చేలో ఎద్దులు మేస్తే, మాముద్దలు మానునా?
maddimanu chelo eddulu meste, mamuddalu manuna?
If oxen graze in the maddimanu field, will our meals stop?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's loss or actions do not affect another person's basic needs or routine. It highlights indifference or a sense of detachment, suggesting that someone else's problem is not their concern as long as their own sustenance or comfort is secured.