చెప్పింది చేయబోకురా, చేసేది చెప్పబోకురా.
cheppindi cheyabokura, chesedi cheppabokura.
Do not do what you have said; do not say what you are doing.
This proverb advises discretion and humility. It suggests that one should not brag or announce their intentions before acting (to avoid failure or interference), nor should one blindly follow spoken advice without evaluation. It is often used to emphasize that actions should speak louder than words and that true success is achieved through silent hard work.
Related Phrases
చెప్పిన కొద్దీ చెవుడు పడిపోతారు
cheppina koddi chevudu padipotaru
The more you tell, the more deaf they become.
This expression is used to describe someone who becomes increasingly stubborn, unresponsive, or indifferent as they are repeatedly advised or corrected. It implies that constant nagging or instruction is being ignored as if the listener has lost their hearing.
గుడి మణియము చేయబోకు
gudi maniyamu cheyaboku
Do not manage temple affairs
This expression serves as a warning against managing or meddling with public or religious funds/property. In a traditional context, it implies that handling temple administration (Manayam) often leads to false accusations, spiritual downfall, or great difficulty in maintaining absolute honesty, thus suggesting it is better to avoid such positions of public trust where integrity is easily questioned.
కొనేది కొయ్యగూర, తినేది చెంచలకూర
konedi koyyagura, tinedi chenchalakura
Buying amaranth, but eating water spinach.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a mismatch between what is expected or planned and what actually happens. It highlights inconsistency, deception, or the irony of someone claiming to do one thing while actually doing something of lesser value or something entirely different.
చెప్పి చెప్పి చెప్పుతో తన్నించుకో, మళ్ళీ వచ్చి మాతో తన్నించుకో.
cheppi cheppi chepputo tanninchuko, malli vachchi mato tanninchuko.
Advise them repeatedly only to get kicked by a slipper, then come back to get kicked by us.
This is a sarcastic and cautionary expression used to mock someone who ignores good advice or repeatedly makes the same mistake despite warnings. It implies that if a person doesn't listen to reason and ends up humiliated by others, they shouldn't expect sympathy; instead, they might face further ridicule or anger from those who tried to help them initially.
చెవిలో చెప్పిన మాటగాని, అరచి చెప్పిన మాటగాని వినదగి యుండవు.
chevilo cheppina matagani, arachi cheppina matagani vinadagi yundavu.
Neither a word whispered in the ear nor a word shouted aloud will be worthy of listening.
This expression suggests that communication lacks credibility or value when it is done in extremes. Whispering implies secrecy or manipulation, while shouting implies force or lack of reason. It is used to emphasize that truth and wisdom are best shared through open, calm, and moderate dialogue.
దానము చేసిన ఆవుకు దవడ పళ్లు ఎంచబోకు
danamu chesina avuku davada pallu enchaboku
Do not count the molar teeth of a donated cow
This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth'. It means that one should not find faults or criticize the quality of something received as a gift or for free.
చెప్పడం కంటే చేయడం మేలు.
cheppadam kante cheyadam melu.
Doing is better than saying.
This proverb emphasizes that actions speak louder than words. It is used to suggest that practical execution or demonstrating through work is more valuable and effective than merely making promises or giving advice.
చెప్పంత పొలము చెప్పినట్లు కొనాలి.
cheppanta polamu cheppinatlu konali.
One should buy land that is exactly as described.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of verifying facts and ensuring transparency in transactions. It suggests that if someone describes a piece of land to be a certain way, it must be acquired only if it matches that description exactly, warning against deceptive marketing or hidden flaws in deals.
మందికి చెప్పాను కానీ, మనకు చెప్పానా?
mandiki cheppanu kani, manaku cheppana?
I told the crowd, but did I tell myself?
This expression is used to describe a person who gives advice to everyone else but fails to follow that same advice in their own life. It highlights hypocrisy or the gap between preaching and practicing, similar to the English idiom 'Practice what you preach.'
కోట చక్కదనము గమిడి చెప్పినట్లు
kota chakkadanamu gamidi cheppinatlu
Like the fortress's beauty being described by the gatekeeper.
This expression refers to a situation where someone with limited or peripheral knowledge attempts to explain the greatness or complexity of something vast. Just as a guard at the gate only sees the entrance and not the entire inner magnificence of the palace, it describes an incomplete or superficial perspective given by an unqualified person.