దుర్గంధ కుసుమం కంటె, నిగ్గంధ కుసుమం మేలు.
durgandha kusumam kante, niggandha kusumam melu.
An odorless flower is better than a foul-smelling flower.
This proverb suggests that having no qualities or being neutral is far better than possessing bad or toxic traits. In a social context, it implies that it is better to be around someone who is simple and unremarkable rather than someone who is talented but malicious or ill-natured.
Related Phrases
కూసుముండ నోరు కుట్టు పెట్టినా నిలవదు
kusumunda noru kuttu pettina nilavadu
Even if you sew the mouth of a gossip-monger shut, it won't stay quiet.
This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot keep secrets or stop talking ill of others. It implies that a habitual gossip or a person with a loose tongue will always find a way to blabber, regardless of any attempts to restrain or silence them.
ముసలి కాలానికి కుసుమరోగం
musali kalaniki kusumarogam
Menstrual disease at an old age
This expression is used to mock someone who exhibits youthful desires or immature behaviors that are inappropriate for their old age. It implies that certain actions or interests are out of place given a person's stage in life.
గంధంలో గూసు కలిపినట్లు
gandhamlo gusu kalipinatlu
Like mixing filth in sandalwood paste
This expression is used to describe a situation where something pure, auspicious, or beautiful is ruined by the addition of something foul, inferior, or inappropriate. It is often used when a great piece of work or a positive atmosphere is spoiled by a single bad element or a rude remark.
ప్రాసకేడ్డానే కూసుముండా అన్నట్లు
prasakeddane kusumunda annatlu
As if saying 'The rhyme is more important than my own husband dying'
This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes trivial or superficial things (like rhyming words) over grave, serious, or tragic realities. It highlights a lack of common sense or misplaced priorities in a critical situation.
ముసలి ముప్పందాన కుసుమరోగం వచ్చినట్లు.
musali muppandana kusumarogam vachchinatlu.
Like suffering from a menstrual disorder in old age (specifically at the age of thirty).
This proverb is used to describe an untimely or inappropriate desire, behavior, or event that doesn't suit one's age or current stage of life. It highlights the awkwardness of things happening when the time for them has long passed.
నిర్గుణుడు మరుపీనుగ
nirgunudu marupinuga
A person without good qualities is a walking corpse.
This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's value lies in their virtues and character. A person who lacks good qualities, empathy, or principles is considered as good as dead or a living corpse because they contribute nothing meaningful to society.
అభ్యాసం కూసు విద్య
abhyasam kusu vidya
Practice is a sitting craft
This proverb emphasizes that constant practice leads to mastery. It suggests that any skill can be perfected through repetition and dedication, much like a person sitting down and working consistently at a craft until it becomes second nature.
అభ్యాసము కూసు విద్య
abhyasamu kusu vidya
Practice [ makes ] art easy.
This proverb emphasizes that mastery comes through constant practice. Just as a child learns to sit or perform tasks through repeated effort, any skill or knowledge can be perfected only through consistent practice and perseverance. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Practice makes perfect.'
Practice makes perfect. Custom makes all things easy.
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.
తనకు కానిది కూసు ముండ
tanaku kanidi kusu munda
One that is not useful to oneself is a sitting widow
This expression is used to describe a person's tendency to devalue or speak ill of something simply because they cannot have it or it is of no use to them. It is similar to the 'sour grapes' metaphor, where an individual criticizes or belittles an object or opportunity out of spite or envy when it is beyond their reach.