ఎగతాళికి ధరలేదు, కథకు మోకాళ్ళులేవు.
egataliki dharaledu, kathaku mokallulevu.
There is no price for mockery, and there are no knees for a story.
This proverb highlights that mocking or making fun of someone costs nothing and requires no effort, much like how a fictional story doesn't need to be grounded in physical reality or logic. It is often used to criticize people who talk irresponsibly or make groundless claims just for the sake of it.
Related Phrases
పలుగాకులకు మేలులేదు, పంజగొడ్డుకు పాలులేవు
palugakulaku meluledu, panjagodduku palulevu
There is no goodness for wicked people, and no milk from a barren cow.
This proverb suggests that just as one cannot expect milk from a barren cow, one should not expect good deeds or virtuous behavior from wicked or mean-minded people. It is used to describe how certain people's inherent nature prevents them from being helpful or kind.
బట్టతలకు, మోకాళ్ళకు ముడి వేసినట్టు.
battatalaku, mokallaku mudi vesinattu.
Like trying to tie a knot between a bald head and a knee.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or logic. It refers to an absurd comparison or an illogical argument where there is no practical connection between the subjects being discussed.
దాష్టీకానికి ధర్మంలేదు, కాయకంటికి చూపులేదు.
dashtikaniki dharmamledu, kayakantiki chupuledu.
There is no righteousness in tyranny, and there is no sight in a cataract.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is blinded by power or arrogance. Just as a physical cataract prevents a person from seeing the world, an oppressive or tyrannical mindset prevents a person from seeing what is fair, moral, or just. It emphasizes that power-hungry individuals often lose their sense of right and wrong.
బట్టతలకూ మోకాళ్లకూ ముడివేసినట్టు
battatalaku mokallaku mudivesinattu
Like tying bald heads and knees in a knot. Said of a very cunning person.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or logic. It highlights an absurd comparison or a forced connection that makes no sense, as both a bald head and a knee are smooth and impossible to 'tie' together.
సూరీడుకు తీరికలేదు, సారథికి కాళ్లు లేవు
suriduku tirikaledu, sarathiki kallu levu
The Sun has no leisure, and his charioteer has no legs.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is burdened with relentless work or duty without any respite, often while lacking the necessary means or support to perform it easily. It refers to the mythological depiction of the Sun God (Surya) who must travel across the sky daily without a break, driven by Aruna, a charioteer who is thighless (has no legs). It highlights the irony of a powerful deity being bound by an endless, demanding cycle.
ఇంట్లో ఈతలు లేవు ఇద్దరికీ మాటలు లేవు
intlo italu levu iddariki matalu levu
There are no grains in the house, but the two are not on speaking terms.
This proverb describes a situation where a household is suffering from extreme poverty or lack of basic necessities, yet the family members are busy fighting or holding grudges instead of working together to solve their problems. It is used to mock people who prioritize ego and petty disputes over survival and common sense.
బోడి తలకు మొకాలికి ముడి
bodi talaku mokaliki mudi
Making a knot between the shaven head and the knee.
This refers to the way of trying to bring together two disparate things for a harmonious blend. When such an attempt is made, the listener understands the absurdity.
ధర్మానికి దండగలేదు, వెట్టికి వైసాలేదు.
dharmaniki dandagaledu, vettiki vaisaledu.
There is no waste in charity, and there are no wages for forced labor.
This proverb highlights two economic truths in traditional society: first, that money spent on charity or righteous causes is never a waste as it earns merit; second, that forced or involuntary labor (vetti) never results in any monetary compensation or earnings for the worker.
ధాష్టీకానికి ధర్మము లేదు, గుడ్డి కంటికి చూపు లేదు.
dhashtikaniki dharmamu ledu, guddi kantiki chupu ledu.
There is no justice in oppression, and no sight in a blind eye.
This proverb is used to describe people who act with arrogance, tyranny, or brute force. It implies that just as it is naturally impossible for a blind eye to see, it is impossible for a person acting out of sheer dominance or malice to follow the path of justice or ethics.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)
This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.