దూరపు కొండలు నునుపు, దగ్గరికిపోతే రాళ్లూ గుండ్లు
durapu kondalu nunupu, daggarikipote rallu gundlu
Distant hills look smooth, but if you go closer, they are full of rocks and boulders.
This proverb is equivalent to 'Distance lends enchantment to the view' or 'The grass is always greener on the other side'. It implies that things often look attractive from a distance, but when examined closely or experienced firsthand, their flaws and difficulties become apparent.
Related Phrases
కొండలు పడ్డ కొన్నాళ్ళకు కోనలూ పడును
kondalu padda konnallaku konalu padunu
After the mountains fall, the valleys will also fall in a few days.
This expression refers to the inevitable ripple effect of a major catastrophe or the downfall of a powerful entity. It implies that when great people or large institutions collapse, those who depend on them or are associated with them (the smaller entities) will eventually face the same fate soon after.
దూరపు కొండలు నునుపు, దగ్గరికి పోతే రాళ్లూ గుండ్లూ
durapu kondalu nunupu, daggariki pote rallu gundlu
Mountains are smooth at a distance, but rugged when near. 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view, And robes the mountain in its azure hue. Campbell.
Things often look attractive and perfect from a distance, but their flaws and difficulties become apparent once you experience them closely. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'The grass is always greener on the other side' or 'Distances lend enchantment to the view.' It is used to caution someone who is overly optimistic about something they haven't experienced firsthand.
అండలుంటే కొండలు దాటవచ్చు.
andalunte kondalu datavachchu.
If you have support, you can cross mountains.
This proverb emphasizes the power of having backing or support (financial, social, or emotional). It suggests that with the right assistance or a strong foundation, one can overcome even the most formidable obstacles that would be impossible to tackle alone.
రాళ్లు గుండ్లు దొర్లించినట్టు మాట్లాడుతాడు
rallu gundlu dorlinchinattu matladutadu
He speaks like one rolling stones and boulders. Said of a man who speaks boldly whether right or wrong.
This expression is used to describe someone who speaks in a very loud, harsh, or thundering voice. It characterizes a person's speech as being blunt, noisy, and lacking in softness or politeness, much like the loud rumbling sound produced by rolling large stones.
దూరపు కొండలు నునుపు.
durapu kondalu nunupu.
Distant hills appear smooth.
People or things appear fascinating from a distance, as distance lends them charm. One should not be lured by false charms but should judge people after observing them closely.
దూరం గుడి కడితే (చంద్రుని చుట్టూ) దగ్గర వాన, దగ్గర కడితే దూరపు వాన.
duram gudi kadite (chandruni chuttu) daggara vana, daggara kadite durapu vana.
If a halo forms far around the moon, rain is near; if it forms near, rain is far.
This is a traditional Telugu weather-lore proverb. It suggests that a large, wide halo around the moon indicates immediate rainfall, whereas a tight, small halo indicates that rain is still a long way off. It is used to predict weather based on atmospheric observations.
కాటి దగ్గరి మాటలు కూటి దగ్గర ఉండవు
kati daggari matalu kuti daggara undavu
The words spoken at the graveyard do not remain at the dinner table.
This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of philosophical realizations or remorse. People often express deep wisdom or regret during somber moments (like a funeral), but quickly return to their usual habits and desires once they are back in the comfort of their daily lives.
తాళం నీ దగ్గర, చెవి నా దగ్గర
talam ni daggara, chevi na daggara
The lock is with you, the key is with me.
In Telugu, 'Chevi' can mean both 'ear' and 'key'. This expression refers to a situation where two parties must cooperate because they each hold a vital part of a solution, or more colloquially, it describes a situation where authority or access is divided, preventing any one person from acting independently.
రాజుల దగ్గర ఉంటే రత్నాలు, పేదల దగ్గర ఉంటే పలుకురాళ్ళు
rajula daggara unte ratnalu, pedala daggara unte palukurallu
If they are with kings they are gems, if they are with the poor they are just pebbles.
This proverb highlights how society perceives the same object or quality differently based on a person's status or wealth. When a powerful or rich person possesses something, it is highly valued and praised, but when a poor person has the same thing, it is often dismissed as worthless or ordinary. It is used to describe social bias and the unfair weight given to status.
ఊరు దూరం, కాడు దగ్గర
uru duram, kadu daggara
The village is far, the graveyard is near.
This expression is used to describe someone who is reaching the very end of their life or is extremely old. It signifies that their connection to the living world (the village) is fading, while their transition to death (the graveyard) is imminent.