ఎలుక తోలు తెచ్చి ఎన్నాళ్ళు ఉతికినా, నలుపు నలుపే గాని తెలుపు రాదు
eluka tolu techchi ennallu utikina, nalupu nalupe gani telupu radu
No matter how many days you wash a rat's skin, it remains black and will never turn white.
This proverb is used to describe an individual's inherent nature or character. It suggests that a person's basic personality, especially if it is flawed or wicked, cannot be changed by external efforts, advice, or superficial improvements. It is similar to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
Related Phrases
కస్తూరి నలుపే, తిలపిండి నలుపే
kasturi nalupe, tilapindi nalupe
Musk is black, and sesame seed cake is also black.
This expression highlights that things which appear identical on the surface can have vastly different intrinsic values. Just as expensive musk and cheap sesame residue look similar because of their color, one cannot judge the quality or worth of something based solely on its external appearance.
కోడి నలుపైనా గుడ్డు తెలుపే
kodi nalupaina guddu telupe
Even if the hen is black, the egg is white.
This proverb is used to emphasize that one's appearance, origin, or external circumstances do not dictate the quality or value of what they produce. It is often used to say that wisdom or good results can come from anyone, regardless of their background or status.
రెండు నలుపులు కలిసి ఒక తెలుపు కానేరదు
rendu nalupulu kalisi oka telupu kaneradu
Two blacks cannot come together to make one white
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Two wrongs don't make a right.' It suggests that combining two negative actions, lies, or mistakes will not result in a positive outcome or the truth.
కోడలు నలుపైతే కులమంతా నలుపగునా?
kodalu nalupaite kulamanta nalupaguna?
If the daughter-in-law is dark-skinned, does the entire lineage become dark?
This proverb is used to criticize the act of judging an entire family or group based on the perceived physical flaws or mistakes of a single individual (specifically a new entrant like a daughter-in-law). It highlights that one person's traits do not define or diminish the status of the whole collective.
కాకి తెలుపు తోలు తెలుపు ఎక్కడన్నా ఉందా?
kaki telupu tolu telupu ekkadanna unda?
Is a crow white or is leather white anywhere?
This expression is used to highlight an impossible or unnatural situation. Just as a crow can never be white and leather is inherently dark, certain truths or character traits cannot be changed no matter how much one tries to pretend otherwise.
ఆవు నలుపైతే పాలు నలుపా?
avu nalupaite palu nalupa?
If the cow is black, is the milk also black?
This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearance does not define internal quality or character. Just as a black cow still yields white milk, a person's outward look or status does not dictate their inner worth or the value of their contribution.
ఎలుకతోలు ఎంత తోమినా నలుపే
elukatolu enta tomina nalupe
No matter how much you scrub a rat's skin, it remains black.
This proverb is used to describe an inherent nature or character that cannot be changed regardless of effort, education, or external polishing. It is similar to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots.'
మేఘాలు నలుపైతే వాననీళ్ళు నలుపగునా?
meghalu nalupaite vananillu nalupaguna?
If the clouds are black, will the rainwater be black?
This proverb is used to illustrate that the source or external appearance of something does not necessarily define the quality or essence of the outcome. Just as dark clouds produce clear water, a person's humble origins or outward appearance do not dictate their character or the value of their work.
కాకి పుట్టి నలుపే పెరిగి నలుపే
kaki putti nalupe perigi nalupe
The crow is black when it is born, and black when it is grown.
This expression is used to describe something or someone that remains unchanged regardless of time or circumstances. It implies that certain inherent traits, habits, or characters are permanent and will not change as one grows or matures. It is often used to refer to people who do not learn from experience or who maintain their original nature (often a negative one) forever.
What's bred in the bone will never be out of the flesh. The wolf changes his hair but not his nature. (Latina.)!
కోడలు నలుపు అయితే, కులమంతా నలుపు.
kodalu nalupu ayite, kulamanta nalupu.
If the daughter-in-law be black, the whole family will be blackened. i. e. a bad daughter-in-law will bring disgrace on her husband's family.
This proverb reflects traditional social biases where the qualities or perceived flaws of a new entrant (the daughter-in-law) are unfairly attributed to the reputation or lineage of the entire family. It is often used to describe how a single person's traits or actions are sometimes used by society to judge an entire community or group.