ఏరు ఎంత పారినా కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్ళే

eru enta parina kukkaku gatukunille

Translation

No matter how much the river flows, a dog can only lap up water.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

A cat with a burnt leg and a dog with a burnt mouth.

This expression describes someone who is extremely restless, impatient, or constantly wandering from one place to another without purpose. Just as a cat with a burnt paw cannot stay still and a dog with a burnt mouth keeps whining or moving in distress, it refers to a person in a state of agitation or aimless agitation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When the dog which had eaten [ the food ] ran off, he caught hold of another dog and broke its leg. Making the innocent suffer for the guilty.

This proverb describes a situation where the actual culprit escapes, and an innocent person who happens to be nearby is punished for the crime. It is used to highlight injustice or a lapse in judgement where the wrong person is held accountable for someone else's mistake.

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.

How can a dog which has eaten a horse live ?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes on a task far beyond their capacity or consumes resources they cannot digest. It implies that over-ambition or greed leading to actions beyond one's strength or status will eventually lead to one's downfall or destruction.

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.

No matter how much is harvested, it's for food; no matter how much one has, it ends at the cremation ground.

This proverb reflects on the ultimate simplicity and transience of life. It emphasizes that despite one's wealth, achievements, or surplus, the basic necessity remains food, and the final destination for everyone is death. It is used to counsel humility and to remind people not to be overly greedy or proud of their possessions.