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.
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.
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.
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.
చాకలివాని భార్యకు మంగలివాడు విడాకులు ఇచ్చినట్లు
chakalivani bharyaku mangalivadu vidakulu ichchinatlu
Like the barber's giving a written divorcement to the washerwoman's wife.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or illogical situation where a person interferes in a matter that they have absolutely no authority or legal standing over. It refers to someone trying to settle or decide an issue that does not involve them at all.
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.
రెండు నాలుకలవాడు
rendu nalukalavadu
A person with two tongues
This expression is used to describe a hypocrite or a person who is deceitful. It refers to someone who says different things to different people or someone who goes back on their word (double-tongued).
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.
చెప్పిన మాటలకన్నా తప్పుడు మాటలు నయం
cheppina matalakanna tappudu matalu nayam
Lies are better than backbiting.
This expression is used to suggest that it is better to hear something blunt or even incorrect rather than being given false promises or misleading information that is never fulfilled. It emphasizes the frustration of broken commitments.
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.