చదివినవాడికన్న చాకలివాడు మేలు
chadivinavadikanna chakalivadu melu
A washerman is better than an educated person.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks common sense or practical wisdom despite being highly educated. It suggests that a simple, uneducated person (like a washerman) who performs their duties effectively and understands the practicalities of life is more valuable than a scholar who cannot apply their knowledge or lacks humility.
Related Phrases
చదువుల మర్మమంతా చదివినాను అన్నాడట
chaduvula marmamanta chadivinanu annadata
I have become acquainted with all the secret mysteries of learning. The allusion is to the story of Prahlâda son of Hiranyakaśipa. The words of the Proverb are found in the Telugu translation of the Bhâgavata Purâṇa, (but not in the Sanscrit original,) as having been used by Prahlâda to his father.—(See Vishnu Purâṇa Book I, Chapters 17—20.) Said of a man who pretends to be learned.
This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about having complete knowledge or mastery over a subject, often used in a sarcastic context when the person's actions or actual knowledge suggest otherwise. It highlights overconfidence and pretentious behavior regarding one's learning.
తిట్టితే చచ్చినవాడు లేడు, దీవించితే బ్రతికినవాడూలేడు.
tittite chachchinavadu ledu, divinchite bratikinavaduledu.
No one died because they were cursed, and no one lived forever because they were blessed.
This proverb emphasizes that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not have the power to change one's destiny or physical life. It is used to suggest that one shouldn't take verbal abuse too deeply to heart, nor should one rely solely on praise or blessings without personal effort.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
కొన్నవాడి కన్న తిన్నవాడే మేలు
konnavadi kanna tinnavade melu
The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].
This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.
చదివినోడికన్నా చాకలి మేలు
chadivinodikanna chakali melu
A washerman is better than an uneducated scholar.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who has formal education but lacks common sense, practical skills, or character. It suggests that a simple worker (like a washerman) who performs their duties effectively is more useful to society than a learned person who cannot apply their knowledge or behaves foolishly.
చదవక ముందు కాకరకాయ, చదివిన తర్వాత కీకరకాయ
chadavaka mundu kakarakaya, chadivina tarvata kikarakaya
Before studying, it is a bitter gourd; after studying, it is a 'keekarakaya'.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be more educated or sophisticated after learning a little, but in reality, their knowledge is superficial or they have only learned to complicate simple things. It satirizes someone whose behavior or speech becomes unnecessarily complex or nonsensical after gaining education, rather than becoming wiser.
చదివినవాని కన్నా చాకలవాడు నయం
chadivinavani kanna chakalavadu nayam
A washerman is better than an educated person. The washerman, though illiterate, invariably distinguishes the clothes belonging to different people by putting certain marks on them, but many of the educated cannot discern between good and evil.
This proverb is used to criticize an educated person who lacks common sense or practical wisdom. It implies that practical knowledge and a sensible approach to life (often attributed to simple workers like a washerman) are more valuable than formal education without the ability to apply it properly or behave appropriately.
చదవక ముందు కాకరకాయ, చదివిన తర్వాత కీకరకాయ
chadavaka mundu kakarakaya, chadivina tarvata kikarakaya
Before reading it is a bitter gourd, after reading it is a 'keekarakaya'.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to have gained immense knowledge after studying but only ends up being more confused or making nonsensical claims. It highlights the irony of education failing to bring clarity or when someone makes up words to sound sophisticated.
చదువకముందు వరవర అంటే, చదివిన వెనుక వడవడ అన్నాడట.
chaduvakamundu varavara ante, chadivina venuka vadavada annadata.
Before studying he said 'Vara Vara', and after studying he said 'Vada Vada'.
This proverb is used to mock someone whose education or learning has not improved their wisdom or has actually made them more confused or foolish. It describes a situation where despite putting in the effort to learn, the person remains ignorant or produces nonsensical results, often misapplying their knowledge.
చదువరి మతికన్న చాకలిమతి మేలు
chaduvari matikanna chakalimati melu
The wisdom of a washerman is better than the mind of a scholar.
This proverb emphasizes that practical common sense and real-world experience are often more valuable than mere bookish knowledge or theoretical learning without application.