ఏరు ఎంత పారినా కుక్కకు కతుకు నీళ్లే
eru enta parina kukkaku katuku nille
Let the river flow ever so abundantly, the dog only gets what it can lap up. A servant neglected by a master liberal to strangers.
This proverb suggests that even when resources or opportunities are abundant, a person's gain is limited by their own capacity, character, or destiny. It is often used to describe someone who cannot benefit fully from great wealth or status due to their inherent limitations or poor habits.
* Il n'y a pire eau que l'eau qui dort.
Related Phrases
ఏటికి ఎన్ని నీళ్ళు వచ్చినా, కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్ళే
etiki enni nillu vachchina, kukkaku gatukunille
No matter how much water flows in the river, a dog can only lap it up.
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or limited capacity. It suggests that even if someone is surrounded by immense wealth or opportunities, they will only benefit or behave according to their character, destiny, or petty habits. It highlights that abundance does not change a person's basic traits or their way of life.
పొదుగెంత జారినా కుక్క గోవు కాదు
podugenta jarina kukka govu kadu
No matter how much the udder sags, a dog will not become a cow.
This proverb is used to say that an individual's fundamental nature or character cannot be changed by superficial or external appearances. Just as physical changes cannot turn a dog into a cow, a person with bad intentions or low character cannot be considered noble just by mimicking the outward traits of great people.
తిన్న కుక్క తినిపోతే, కన్న కుక్కను కట్టేసినారంట.
tinna kukka tinipote, kanna kukkanu kattesinaranta.
While the dog that ate the food ran away, they tied up the dog that saw it happen.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the actual culprit or wrongdoer escapes, and an innocent bystander or a witness is unfairly blamed or punished for the deed. It highlights a failure of justice or a mistake in identifying the true offender.
తిన్న కుక్క తినిపోతే, కన్న కుక్కకు కాలు విరుగగొట్టినట్లు.
tinna kukka tinipote, kanna kukkaku kalu virugagottinatlu.
When the dog that ate the food ran away, breaking the leg of the dog that was just watching.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an innocent person is punished for the mistakes or crimes committed by someone else who escaped. It highlights unfair treatment or misplaced anger.
కరిచే కుక్కకు కర్ర అడ్డము
kariche kukkaku karra addamu
A stick is an obstacle for a biting dog.
This proverb suggests that for every threat or nuisance, there is a specific deterrent or solution. Just as a stick can keep a biting dog at bay, certain measures can be taken to prevent or manage troublesome people or situations.
ఎక్కడ కొట్టినా, కుక్కకు కాలు కుంటుతుంది.
ekkada kottina, kukkaku kalu kuntutundi.
Wherever you strike a dog, he will limp.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is so vulnerable or inherently flawed that any misfortune, regardless of where it strikes, affects their most basic stability. It is often used to refer to people who are already in a weak position, where any further trouble only worsens their existing plight.
ఆవ తిన్న అమ్మకు యేవ పారినదట
ava tinna ammaku yeva parinadata
The woman who fed on mustard grew strong. Fattening on poor fare.
This proverb is used to describe a person who experiences an exaggerated or unnatural reaction to something they voluntarily did or something very minor. It highlights hypocrisy or fake sensitivity, comparing it to someone who eats mustard (which is common and small) but then acts as if it has caused them a great deal of sickness or nausea (yeva).
ఏరు ఎంత పారినా కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్ళే
eru enta parina kukkaku gatukunille
No matter how much the river flows, a dog can only lap up water.
This proverb describes a person's inherent nature or destiny that limits their ability to enjoy abundance. Even when surrounded by immense resources or opportunities, someone with a narrow mindset or bad habits will only take what their limited character allows. It is used to suggest that some people never change their ways regardless of their circumstances.
కుక్క కాటుకు చెప్పు దెబ్బ
kukka katuku cheppu debba
A slap with a chappal for dog bite.
Figuratively, it is an act of retaliation. Similar to “Tit for tat.”
గోదావరి పారినా, కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్లే!
godavari parina, kukkaku gatukunille!
Even if the Godavari river flows, a dog can only lap up water!
This proverb describes a person's inherent nature or destiny that does not change despite being surrounded by abundance or great opportunities. It is used to suggest that some people, due to their petty mindset or poor luck, cannot enjoy or utilize the vast resources available to them and will always stick to their limited, meager ways.