బొద్దాకు తింటే, బుద్ధి పెరుగునన్నట్లు

boddaku tinte, buddhi perugunannatlu

Translation

Like saying if you eat boddaku (a type of medicinal leaf), your wisdom will increase.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a specific task or consumes something with the naive expectation that it will instantly grant them intelligence or a desired quality. It highlights the belief in traditional remedies or simple actions leading to significant mental improvement.

Related Phrases

The sari will tear, the heifer will grow.

This proverb is used to emphasize making wise investments or spending money on things that appreciate in value. It compares buying clothes (which wear out and lose value) to buying livestock (which grows and produces profit), suggesting one should prioritize long-term growth over temporary material possessions.

No way for the head, but a headrest for the genitals.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or a proper foundation (the head) but indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off with trivial things (the genitals). It mocks someone whose priorities are misplaced or who tries to maintain a facade of comfort despite being in a dire situation.

Will a dog that eats sandals know the sweetness of sugarcane?

This proverb is used to describe a person with low or vulgar tastes who cannot appreciate something noble, refined, or high-quality. It implies that someone accustomed to inferior things will fail to recognize the value of something superior.

Harvest depends on the plowing - Happiness depends on the mindset.

Just as the quality and quantity of a crop depend on how well the land is plowed, a person's happiness and peace of mind depend on their own wisdom, character, and way of thinking. This proverb is used to emphasize that outcomes are a direct result of one's efforts and internal attitude.

An impatient person's intellect is limited.

This proverb is used to describe how haste or excessive eagerness can cloud one's judgment. When a person is in a hurry or overly anxious to achieve something, they lose their ability to think rationally and make poor decisions. It is similar to the English proverb 'Haste makes waste'.

Breast milk that hasn't fully come in, and curd that hasn't fully set.

This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete, half-baked, or in an intermediate state where it is neither here nor there. It highlights the uselessness or dissatisfaction caused by things that are not fully developed or finished, such as a task left halfway or a skill that is poorly acquired.

A learned habit does not go away even after death

This expression is used to describe deeply ingrained habits or character traits that are nearly impossible to change. It suggests that once a behavior or mindset is firmly established, it stays with a person throughout their entire life, often used in a critical context about someone's recurring negative traits.

Man's intellect is crude, woman's intellect is subtle/deeper.

This proverb highlights a traditional observation about gendered thinking styles. It suggests that men tend to have a blunt or straightforward approach (motu), whereas women possess a more refined, intricate, or farsighted perspective (avara). It is used to contrast the simplicity of a man's logic with the complexity and depth of a woman's intuition.

To look at you are a great man, but you are a mean fellow at heart. Lit. You have the sense of an ass.

This expression is used to criticize someone who is physically grown up or looks like an adult but lacks maturity, common sense, or intelligence. It highlights the contrast between physical growth ('Masi Pedda') and foolish behavior ('Gadidha Buddhi').

If they curdle, even milk becomes yogurt

This proverb implies that with patience, time, or the right conditions, a transformation occurs. It is often used to suggest that things will eventually take their proper shape or reach their potential if given the necessary time and environment.