చెట్టెక్కేవాడికి ఆకులు లెక్కపెట్టడం ఎందుకు?
chettekkevadiki akulu lekkapettadam enduku?
Why count the leaves for the one who can climb the tree?
This expression is used to suggest that when someone is already performing a major task or has achieved a significant goal, focusing on trivial or minor details is unnecessary. It is often used to tell someone to focus on the main objective rather than getting bogged down by unimportant technicalities.
Related Phrases
ఓర్పుగలవారే భూమినేలగలరు.
orpugalavare bhuminelagalaru.
Only those with patience can rule the earth.
This proverb emphasizes that patience and endurance are the most important qualities for success and leadership. It suggests that while many may have power, only those who can remain calm and patient under pressure are truly capable of handling great responsibilities or achieving lasting dominance.
చేతులు కాలిన తర్వాత ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
chetulu kalina tarvata akulu pattukunnatlu
Like trying to hold onto leaves after the hands are burnt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes precautions or looks for a solution after the damage is already done. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or 'crying over spilled milk.' It emphasizes that actions taken too late are futile.
ఆషాఢానికి ఆకుపోతలు
ashadhaniki akupotalu
Sowing seeds during the month of Ashadha
This expression refers to the agricultural tradition where the Ashadha month (June-July) is considered the ideal time for sowing and plantation as it coincides with the onset of the monsoon. In a broader sense, it signifies doing the right thing at the right time or initiating a project when the conditions are most favorable for growth.
ఎత్తెత్తి అడుగువేస్తే పుల్లాకు మీద పడిందట
ettetti aduguveste pullaku mida padindata
When one walked with high-lifted steps, they ended up stepping on a used leaf plate.
This expression is used to describe a person who puts on a great show of being careful, superior, or sophisticated, yet ends up doing something trivial, foolish, or embarrassing. It highlights the irony of someone's pretense versus their actual outcome.
పోకలు నమలుచు ఆకులు చేబూని సున్న మడుగువాడు శుద్ధ విధవ
pokalu namaluchu akulu chebuni sunna maduguvadu shuddha vidhava
One who chews betel nuts, holds betel leaves in hand, and then asks for lime is a total fool.
This expression is used to mock people who lack basic foresight or planning. It describes a situation where someone has all the primary ingredients to complete a task but forgets the most essential, final detail, making their entire effort useless until they depend on others. It highlights poor preparation and foolishness.
ఆషాఢ మాసంలో ఆకులు రాలినట్లు
ashadha masamlo akulu ralinatlu
Like leaves falling in the month of Ashadha
This expression is used to describe something happening in massive quantities or very rapidly. Just as trees shed their leaves heavily during the windy Ashadha month, this phrase illustrates a situation where people are losing jobs, dying in large numbers during a disaster, or falling down in quick succession.
చేతులు కాలినాక ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు.
chetulu kalinaka akulu pattukunnatlu.
Holding leaves after the fingers are burnt, by holding a hot cooking pot or object.
The proverb refers to action taken after something harmful has already happened. It is always desirable to take proper precautions to avoid any undesirable developments rather than regretting after the event. Prevention, they say, is better than cure.
అవసరానికి ఆకులో పెట్టు, నాకు నేలను పెట్టు.
avasaraniki akulo pettu, naku nelanu pettu.
Give the man who is in a hurry his food on a leaf, but give me mine on the floor. The food of Hindus is ordinarily served on a large leaf or several small leaves sewn together. Applied to a person wishing to have something done for himself in great haste, before others are attended to.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of selfish people who seek help only when they are in need. It describes a situation where someone treats you with respect (serving on a leaf) when they want something from you, but treats you with disregard (serving on the floor) once their need is met.
ఏమీ లేని ఆకులు ఎగిసిపడితే, అన్నీ ఉన్న ఆకులు అణిగిమణిగి ఉంటాయి
emi leni akulu egisipadite, anni unna akulu anigimanigi untayi
The leaf dishes which were empty rose up high; those that were full remained steady.
This proverb is a metaphor for human behavior. It suggests that people with little knowledge, wealth, or substance often boast and make a lot of noise (like light, empty leaf plates blowing in the wind), whereas those who are truly wise, wealthy, or accomplished remain humble and composed (like heavy leaf plates filled with a full meal). It is used to describe the importance of humility and to critique empty arrogance.
The conceit of little knowledge, the humility of true learning. Shaal waters mak the maist din. (Scotch.)
సాకులు చెప్పినవానికి కాసు, ఇల్లు కప్పినవానికి దుగ్గాని
sakulu cheppinavaniki kasu, illu kappinavaniki duggani
A 'kasu' for the one who gives excuses, and a 'duggani' for the one who thatched the house.
This proverb highlights unfairness in rewards or wages. It describes a situation where someone who does little work or offers only excuses receives more benefit (a kasu) than the person who performed the actual hard labor of roofing a house (who receives a lesser coin, a duggani). It is used to critique systems where talkers are valued more than doers.