దోవతి పెద్దదయితే గోత్రం పెద్దదగునా?
dovati peddadayite gotram peddadaguna?
If the dhoti is large, does the lineage become great?
This proverb is used to say that outward appearance, expensive clothing, or displays of wealth do not determine a person's character, family status, or nobility. Just because someone wears fancy clothes doesn't mean they possess high virtues or a respected heritage.
Related Phrases
పెంటకుప్ప పెరిగితే, పేదరైతు పెద్దవాడగును.
pentakuppa perigite, pedaraitu peddavadagunu.
If the manure heap grows, the poor farmer becomes great.
This proverb highlights the importance of organic waste and manure in agriculture. It means that as a farmer accumulates more organic waste/manure (pentakuppa), the fertility of the land increases, leading to better yields and eventually making the farmer wealthy and successful. It emphasizes that hard work and the collection of resources, even those considered lowly, lead to prosperity.
వడ్డెరోడికి వెళ్ళాం పెద్దది, కాపోడికి గొడ్డు పెద్దది కావాలట
vadderodiki vellam peddadi, kapodiki goddu peddadi kavalata
The stone-cutter wants a big family, and the farmer wants a big animal (ox/cattle).
This proverb highlights how people's desires and needs vary based on their profession or lifestyle. A stone-cutter (Vaddera) values more manpower (a large family) to help with manual labor, while a farmer (Kapu) values strong livestock to cultivate the land. It is used to describe how everyone seeks resources that are most beneficial to their specific livelihood.
దీపంతో వెలిగించిన దివిటీ పెద్దదైనట్లు
dipanto veliginchina diviti peddadainatlu
Like a torch lit from a small lamp becoming greater than the lamp itself.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a student, protégé, or child surpasses their teacher, mentor, or parent in fame, skill, or status. Even though the source (the lamp) was small, the outcome (the torch) is much more powerful and bright.
అలిగి అల్లుడు చెడ్డాడట, కుడవక కూతురు చెడ్డదట
aligi alludu cheddadata, kudavaka kuturu cheddadata
By being stubborn, the son-in-law lost; by not eating, the daughter suffered.
This proverb describes a situation where people harm themselves more than others through their stubbornness or ego. A son-in-law staying away out of anger loses the hospitality/respect he would have received, and a daughter refusing food to protest only ends up hungry and weak. It is used to advise against cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
ముక్కు చిన్నది, ముత్యం పెద్దది
mukku chinnadi, mutyam peddadi
Small nose, big pearl
This expression is used to describe a situation where an accessory or an addition is more prominent, heavy, or expensive than the main object itself. It often refers to someone overdoing something or a case where the secondary element overshadows the primary one.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
గొర్రెల గోత్రాలు, గొల్లల గోత్రాలు తోడేళ్లు చూస్తాయి
gorrela gotralu, gollala gotralu todellu chustayi
Wolves look for the lineage of sheep and the lineage of shepherds.
This proverb is used to describe predators or exploiters who wait for the right moment to strike. Just as a wolf studies the habits and backgrounds of both the sheep and the shepherds to find a weakness, cunning people observe their targets and their protectors to find an opportunity to take advantage of them. It highlights that an enemy's interest in your details is usually for malicious purposes.
కళ్ళం పళ్ళెం పెద్దదిగా ఉండాలి
kallam pallem peddadiga undali
The threshing floor and the plate should be large.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of generosity and abundance. It suggests that one should have a large heart (represented by a large plate for eating) and a productive workspace (represented by the threshing floor). It is used to encourage someone to be more liberal, resourceful, or to aim for prosperity and sharing rather than being stingy.
పిలిచి పెద్దపులికి పేరంటం పెట్టినట్లు
pilichi peddapuliki perantam pettinatlu
Like inviting a tiger to a social gathering.
This proverb describes a situation where someone voluntarily invites a dangerous or troublesome person into their lives or affairs, essentially creating their own misfortune. It is used when a person's own actions or invitations lead to a predictable disaster or threat.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.