చవిసారం లేనివాడు సంచారం పోతే, ముసలినక్కలన్నీ గుసగుసలాడినవట

chavisaram lenivadu sancharam pote, musalinakkalanni gusagusaladinavata

Translation

When a person with no sense of taste or worth goes on a journey, all the old foxes started whispering.

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock someone who lacks competence or character but tries to make a grand display or travel to impress others. It implies that while the person thinks they are doing something significant, others (often wise or cynical observers) are actually ridiculing their incompetence behind their backs.

Related Phrases

When the lean cobra goes on a journey, all the foxes started whispering.

This expression is used to describe a situation where people who are otherwise afraid or respectful in someone's presence start gossiping, mocking, or plotting against them the moment they leave. It highlights how cowards gain courage to speak behind the back of a formidable person once that person is no longer around.

The father travels the country, the mother travels the village.

This proverb describes a household where both parents are never home and neglect their domestic responsibilities. It is used to mock a family situation where the father is busy wandering elsewhere and the mother is busy roaming the neighborhood, leaving the home or children uncared for.

Whispered counsels are a cause of ruin [to others].

This proverb suggests that secret schemes, conspiracies, or malicious gossip often result in the downfall or ruin of homes and families. It emphasizes that backbiting and clandestine plotting cause unnecessary destruction in society.

When he kissed the lamp belonging to his own house, all his mustaches were burnt off. Undue familiarity. Extravagant demonstration. A man may love his wecl, and no ride on the riggin o't. (Scotch. )

This proverb is used to warn that being overly familiar or careless with something potentially dangerous—just because it is 'ours' or familiar—can lead to harm. It highlights that certain things (like fire, power, or laws) maintain their inherent nature regardless of our relationship with them, and one must maintain a respectful distance or caution.

A tasteless curry filling the pot, a useless husband filling the bed.

This proverb highlights the frustration of having plenty of something that is of no practical use or value. It compares a pot full of flavorless food to a lazy or incompetent partner; in both cases, the quantity exists but the quality or purpose is missing. It is used to describe situations where there is an abundance of useless resources or people.

An old man is fond of women.

This proverb highlights how people's preferences or attachments change with age or vulnerability. It suggests that someone in a weak or advanced stage of life finds comfort or affection in things that others might overlook or find plain, often implying that simplicity or basic companionship becomes more valuable than vanity in one's later years.

* On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif. † Man kan nœde en Mand till at blunde, men ikke til at sove.

There is no such thing as an old buffalo or an old Yenadi (tribesman).

This proverb is used to describe individuals who maintain their strength, productivity, or work capacity regardless of their age. It implies that certain beings remain robust and useful until the very end, suggesting that age is just a number for those with a strong constitution or work ethic.

Whispers came and set the hut on fire.

This expression refers to how rumors or secrets, often starting as small whispers, can eventually lead to significant trouble or the destruction of one's peace and home. It is used to caution against gossiping and the snowball effect of private talk becoming public scandals.

When someone tried to kiss the lamp thinking it belongs to their house, all their whiskers got burnt.

This proverb describes a situation where being overly affectionate or familiar with something potentially dangerous—just because it is 'ours'—leads to harm. It serves as a warning that certain boundaries or precautions must be maintained even with familiar people or things, as their inherent nature (like fire) can still cause damage regardless of the relationship.

Those who don't have a family (responsibilities) have more flirtations.

This expression is used to point out that people who lack serious responsibilities or professional commitments often waste their time on frivolous activities, jokes, or playfulness. It implies that a busy person with a household to manage wouldn't have the luxury of such idle talk.