చెప్పులు చిన్నవి అని కాళ్లు తెగకోసుకోవచ్చా?
cheppulu chinnavi ani kallu tegakosukovachcha?
Are you to cut your feet because your shoes are too small?
This proverb highlights the folly of making permanent, harmful changes to oneself or a core system just to accommodate temporary or insignificant external constraints. It is used when someone tries to force a solution that causes more damage than the problem it is trying to solve.
Related Phrases
ఆడపిల్లను కన్నవారు అయిదు బిరుదులు తెగకోసుకోవలెను.
adapillanu kannavaru ayidu birudulu tegakosukovalenu.
They who beget female children must cut off five of their badges of honor. A man though raised to a distinguished position in the world has yet to humble himself before his sons-in-law for the sake of his daughters, who might otherwise not be well treated.
This traditional proverb suggests that parents of a daughter should practice extreme patience, humility, and selflessness. It implies that in a society where the bride's side often has to accommodate the groom's side, parents must shed their ego or pride (the 'titles') to ensure their daughter's well-being and a harmonious marriage.
చచ్చినదాని పిల్లలు వచ్చినదాని కాళ్ళకింద
chachchinadani pillalu vachchinadani kallakinda
The children of the deceased woman are under the feet of the newcomer.
This proverb describes the plight of motherless children who are often neglected or mistreated by a stepmother or a new person entering the household. It is used to highlight situations where vulnerable individuals lose their protection and are left at the mercy of someone who may not care for their well-being.
అప్పు ఆకలికి వచ్చునా?
appu akaliki vachchuna?
Will a debt be repaid when you are hungry ? Can you ever get a debt repaid when you are in want ?
This proverb is used to emphasize that borrowed money or resources are not a permanent or reliable solution for immediate, basic needs. Just as one cannot rely on the uncertainty of getting a loan when they are starving, one should focus on self-reliance and earning their own living rather than depending on others for essential survival.
చెప్పలు ఉన్నా చెప్పులు తెగినా చుట్టరికం తప్పదు
cheppalu unna cheppulu tegina chuttarikam tappadu
Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.
This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.
కాటిలో పండినవీ కాకులు తిన్నవీ ఒకటే
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi okate
Grains grown in a graveyard and those eaten by crows are the same.
This proverb is used to describe something that is completely useless or has gone to waste. Just as one cannot consume crops grown in a cemetery (due to cultural taboos) or food already pecked at by crows, it refers to resources or efforts that have no value or benefit to anyone.
మాను పేరు చెప్పి పండ్లు అమ్ముకోవచ్చును
manu peru cheppi pandlu ammukovachchunu
Having named the tree, you may sell fruit. As having been plucked from it.
This proverb suggests that having a strong reputation, lineage, or a solid foundation allows one to succeed easily. In business or life, if you are associated with a well-known 'brand' or a respected family name, you can leverage that credibility to achieve your goals.
కాలు జారితే తీసుకో వచ్చునుగాని, నోరు జారితే తీసుకోలేము
kalu jarite tisuko vachchunugani, noru jarite tisukolemu
If your foot slips you may recover your balance, but if your mouth slips you cannot recall your words. A slip of the foot may be soon recovered; but that of the tongue perhaps never. Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue. (French.)* A word and a stone once let go cannot be recalled. (Spanish.)
This proverb emphasizes the permanence of spoken words. While a physical fall or slip can be recovered from, words spoken carelessly or hurtfully cannot be retracted once they are out. It is used as a caution to think carefully before speaking.
* Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue. † Palabra y piedra suele no tiene vuelta.
కాటిలో పండినవి కాకులు తిన్నవి
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi
The crows ate up the fruit which grew in the forest. Property common to all.
This proverb refers to things that are produced or earned in an improper, unholy, or wasted manner, which ultimately go to waste or are consumed by undeserving people. It is used to describe efforts that yield no benefit to the rightful person or are squandered due to bad circumstances.
* Dli irati lances pedes habent, 14
చచ్చినవాని కళ్ళు చారెడేసి.
chachchinavani kallu charedesi.
The eyes of one dead, are large (attractive).
The good deeds of the dead are normally praised beyond what they deserve. It is possible that in such remembrances of things past there is likely to be considerable exaggeration – even, falsehood.
చెప్పులు చిన్నవి అని కాలు తెగకోసుకోవచ్చునా?
cheppulu chinnavi ani kalu tegakosukovachchuna?
Just because the sandals are small, should one cut off their feet?
This proverb is used to criticize people who make drastic, self-destructive changes to themselves or their core principles just to fit into a temporary, trivial, or external situation. It emphasizes that the person (or the goal) is more important than the accessory (or the means).