ఎసటిలో మెతుకులన్నీ పట్టి చూడాలనా?

esatilo metukulanni patti chudalana?

Translation

Do you need to check every single grain of rice in the boiling pot?

Meaning

This expression means that one does not need to examine every single part of a whole to understand the quality or result. Just as checking one or two grains of rice is enough to know if the whole pot is cooked, a small sample or a single instance is often sufficient to judge a person's character or the success of a project.

Related Phrases

A man's life is a bowl full of grains; a woman's life is a grain in the gruel.

This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.

Should I look at the milk or the vessel?

This expression describes a dilemma where one has to choose between preserving the quality of the contents (the goal) and the integrity of the container (the means/tool). It is used when a person is confused between two equally important or conflicting priorities, or when trying to handle a situation where fixing one thing might damage another.

One must live to see the city and die to see heaven

This proverb emphasizes that experiencing the world (represented by the city) and achieving spiritual salvation (represented by heaven) are the two ultimate goals of human existence. It is often used to encourage someone to travel, experience prosperity, or enjoy life's opportunities while they are still alive.

Taking one grain out of the pot and feeling [ whether it is soft or not ]. One action tells what a man is worth. From one circumstance judge of all. (Latin.) You may judge of Herles from his foot. (Latin.)

This expression is used to signify that checking a small sample is enough to judge the quality or status of the whole. For example, one can judge the quality of a book by reading a few pages, or the character of a person by a single action.

Try building a house, try making a marriage. An expense greater than contemplated. Building and the marrying of children are great wasters.

This proverb highlights that building a home and organizing a marriage are the two most challenging and resource-intensive tasks in a person's life. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, financial strain, and unforeseen difficulties involved once they actually undertake these responsibilities.

One should see a son-in-law at his mother-in-law's house and a bull in a castor field.

This proverb highlights situations where an individual feels overly comfortable and entitled. Just as a bull thrives and roams freely in a field of castor plants (which are difficult to clear), a son-in-law is often pampered, prioritized, and treated with excessive hospitality at his in-laws' place. It is used to describe someone enjoying a position of prestige or being the center of attention.

Touch-me-not plant

Literally referring to the Mimosa pudica plant, this expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive, shy, or gets easily offended or hurt by even the slightest comment or touch.

Should I look at the milk or the vessel?

This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.

Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.

This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.

If one says a neck nerve is caught in the knee, it's like asking to put a bandage on top of it.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a completely illogical or physically impossible claim, and another person responds with an equally absurd or useless solution. It highlights foolishness, ignorance, or a lack of basic common sense in both the complaint and the remedy.