దుమ్ము రేగినా బూతు రేగినా నిలవవు, చట్టము పండినట్టు కెరలితే భూతం కెరలినట్టు

dummu regina butu regina nilavavu, chattamu pandinattu keralite bhutam keralinattu

Translation

Neither dust nor abuse can be stopped when they rise; if the law is provoked to its limit, it is like a ghost being unleashed.

Meaning

This proverb suggests that certain things, once set in motion—like rising dust or vulgar insults—are difficult to contain. It specifically warns that when the law or a legal system is stretched to its breaking point or provoked excessively, it can become as uncontrollable and destructive as a raging spirit or ghost. It is used to emphasize the importance of restraint and the unpredictable consequences of legal or social upheaval.

Related Phrases

If a saint gets provoked or if vulgarity breaks out, it won't end easily.

This proverb suggests that certain things, once triggered, are difficult to contain or calm down. A quiet, patient person (Saint) once pushed to anger becomes extremely fierce, and similarly, once a situation turns foul or vulgar, the unpleasantness lingers or escalates uncontrollably.

If the teacher gets angry or if the horse gets restless, it results in trouble.

This proverb highlights that certain situations or people must be handled with extreme care. If a mentor/teacher is provoked, the student loses knowledge; if a horse is agitated, the rider faces physical danger. It is used to suggest that one should avoid provoking those who have power over our well-being or progress.

Like squeezing an empty civet bag. You cannot get blood out of a stone.

This expression describes a situation where something is extracted or forced out with great difficulty, very slowly, or in minute quantities. It is often used to refer to someone who is extremely stingy or a situation where getting a result requires an exhausting amount of effort for a very small reward.

* Noli equi dentes insipere donati,

Like squeezing an oilseed plant.

This expression is used to describe an impossible or futile task. Just as it is impossible to extract oil by simply squeezing the stalk or the whole plant of a sesame seed without proper processing of the seeds, it refers to efforts that yield no results because the approach is fundamentally wrong.

Fallen teeth are like roasted grains

This expression is used to describe something that is permanently lost or damaged and cannot be restored to its original state. Just as roasted grains can never sprout again and fallen teeth cannot grow back, certain actions or losses in life are irreversible.

If Pubba bursts forth ( in rain ) or if obscenity breaks out, they won't stop.

This proverb refers to the 'Pubba' rain (part of the rainy season in the Telugu calendar), which is known for its sudden, intense, and loud outbursts that subside quickly. It compares this natural phenomenon to a person's sudden outburst of foul language or anger, suggesting that both are temporary and will inevitably die down soon.

Pubba is the eleventh lunar mansion. If the first of July it be rainy weather, 'Twill rain more or less for four weeks together.

If the jaw (speech/hunger) flares up or if the club (violence) flares up, it is hard to stop.

This proverb is used to describe situations that have escalated beyond control. 'Davada' (jaw) refers to either incessant talking/arguing or extreme hunger, while 'Daddu' (club/staff) refers to physical violence or mob fury. It implies that once a verbal conflict or physical aggression reaches a certain intensity, it is nearly impossible to contain or restrain.

Whether the jaw moves or the shuttle moves, they don't stop.

This expression refers to people who are constantly talking or constantly busy with work. 'Davada' (jaw) refers to non-stop talking or eating, while 'Dabdara' (a large weaving needle/shuttle) refers to continuous manual labor. It is used to describe a person who is never idle.

If a saintly person is provoked, even a field is not enough for the head to rest.

This proverb highlights the intensity of the anger of a calm and patient person. It means that when a normally peaceful or 'sadhu-like' individual finally loses their temper, their wrath is so uncontrollable and immense that there is no place to hide or find safety.

If a docile ox gets irritated, it will ruin the entire fence.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a normally calm, patient, or quiet person loses their temper. It implies that when a gentle person finally gets angry, the resulting damage or outburst is significantly greater and more destructive than that of a naturally aggressive person.