బర్రె అమేధ్యము తింటే, పాలు చెడుతాయా?
barre amedhyamu tinte, palu chedutaya?
Though the she-buffalo eat filth, will the milk be spoilt ?
This expression is used to signify that the bad character or impure habits of a person do not necessarily diminish the value of their output or the quality of the services they provide. It highlights that the source's flaws don't always affect the end product.
Related Phrases
కుక్క అమేధ్యము తిన్నది
kukka amedhyamu tinnadi
The dog ate filth.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone has done something highly inappropriate, disgusting, or shameful and is now suffering the consequences or is being ignored. In a broader sense, it is used to dismiss someone's irrelevant or foul words, implying that whatever they say is as worthless as the act described.
The nature of the animal.
ఎంత మంచి పంది అయినా, అమేధ్యము తినక మానదు.
enta manchi pandi ayina, amedhyamu tinaka manadu.
However good the pig may be, it will never cease to eat filth.
This proverb is used to describe an individual's innate or ingrained nature. It suggests that even if someone appears to have changed or improved, they will eventually return to their true, often negative, habits or character when the opportunity arises. It is similar to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
A hog in armour is still but a hog.
కాని కాలమునకు కర్రే పాము అవుతుంది.
kani kalamunaku karre pamu avutundi.
In bad times, even a stick turns into a snake.
This proverb is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is against you, even harmless or helpful objects (like a walking stick) can become sources of danger or obstacles (like a snake). It is used to express how vulnerability increases during a streak of bad luck.
బర్రె చస్తే పాడి బయట పడుతుంది
barre chaste padi bayata padutundi
When the buffalo dies, it comes out how much milk she gave.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true value, contribution, or secrets of a person are only fully realized or disclosed after they are gone or when a resource is lost. It often implies that someone was exaggerating their worth or productivity while they were active.
వింటే భారతము వినవలె, తింటే గారెలు తినవలె
vinte bharatamu vinavale, tinte garelu tinavale
If you listen, listen to the Bhârata; if you eat, eat cakes.
This expression is used to describe the pinnacle of excellence in a specific category. It implies that if one wants to experience the best of something, they should choose the absolute finest. The Mahabharata is considered the greatest epic to listen to, just as Garelu (deep-fried lentil donuts) are considered the most delicious traditional snack to eat.
అతి చేస్తే గతి చెడుతుంది
ati cheste gati chedutundi
Excessive action ruins one's fate.
This proverb warns that overdoing anything or acting with excessive pride or greed will eventually lead to one's downfall. It is similar to the English saying 'Too much of anything is good for nothing' and is used to advise moderation in behavior and lifestyle.
కుక్కను అందలములో కూర్చుండబెట్టిన, అమేధ్యమును చూచి దిగవురికినట్లు
kukkanu andalamulo kurchundabettina, amedhyamunu chuchi digavurikinatlu
If you seat a dog in a palanquin, it will still jump down at the sight of filth.
This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot change their inherent base nature or low-minded habits, no matter how much wealth, status, or dignity is bestowed upon them. It highlights that external elevation does not change internal character.
కాని కాలానికి కర్రే పాము అవుతుంది
kani kalaniki karre pamu avutundi
In your evil hour your own stick will become a snake. i. e. your own friends will turn against you.
This proverb signifies that when luck is against someone or when times are unfavorable, even the most harmless or helpful things can turn into sources of trouble. It is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong unexpectedly.
చిన్నవాళ్ళు తింటే చిరుతిండి, పెద్దవాళ్ళు తింటే ఫలహారం
chinnavallu tinte chirutindi, peddavallu tinte phalaharam
If children eat it, it's a snack; if elders eat it, it's a religious offering (light meal).
This expression points out social hypocrisy or double standards. It suggests that the same action is judged differently based on the status or age of the person performing it. While a child eating between meals might be seen as a bad habit (snacking), an elder doing the same is given a more respectful or justified label (tiffin or sacred meal).
కుక్కను అందలములో కూర్చుండ పెట్టితే, అమేధ్యము చూచి దిగ వురికినది.
kukkanu andalamulo kurchunda pettite, amedhyamu chuchi diga vurikinadi.
When they seated the dog in a palanquin, it saw filth and jumped down and ran to it.
This proverb implies that no matter how much you try to elevate someone's status or provide them with luxury, their innate nature or low character will eventually reveal itself. It is used to describe situations where a person reverts to their base habits despite being given a position of dignity.
Mean persons although exalted will not give up their low habits. Crooked by nature is never made straight by education. " Set a frog on a golden stool, and off it hops again into the pool." (German.)*