గాడిద గాడిదే, గుర్రం గుర్రమే
gadida gadide, gurram gurrame
An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.
Related Phrases
విడిబడితే గుర్రము గాడిదెతో సమానము.
vidibadite gurramu gadideto samanamu.
If a horse gets loose it is like an ass. i. e. it snorts and kicks. Applied to wickedness unrestrained.
This expression highlights the importance of discipline, training, and context. A horse is valued for its grace and speed only when it is controlled and purposeful; once it becomes stray or wild without direction, it loses its distinct value and is seen as no better than a common donkey. It is used to suggest that talent without discipline is wasted.
గాడిద గత్తర
gadida gattara
A donkey's row. A noisy brawl. Nothing passes between asses but kicks. (Italian.)
This expression is used to describe a loud, chaotic, and senseless noise or a situation of utter confusion. It is often used to dismiss someone's shouting or an unorganized gathering as annoying and meaningless, much like the braying of a donkey.
చూడగా చూడగా గుర్రము గాడిదె అయినది.
chudaga chudaga gurramu gadide ayinadi.
As he looked and looked the horse turned out a donkey.
This proverb describes a situation where something that initially appeared promising, high-quality, or valuable gradually deteriorated or revealed itself to be mediocre and disappointing. It is often used to criticize a decline in standards, poor maintenance, or the realization that one's high expectations were misplaced.
By close inspection the true state is known.
అవ్వా గుర్రమూ ఒకటి అయినట్టు
avva gurramu okati ayinattu
The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.
కూసే గాడిద వచ్చి మేసే గాడిదను చెరిపినట్లు
kuse gadida vachchi mese gadidanu cheripinatlu
The braying donkey came and spoiled the grazing donkey's business. When the one that was outside brayed, the other that was inside answer- ed and was consequently discovered and driven out of the field.
This proverb is used when a person who is idle or doing something useless interrupts and spoils the productive work of someone else. It highlights how a troublemaker can distract or ruin the focus of a person engaged in a helpful activity.
రౌతు కొద్దీ గుర్రము
rautu koddi gurramu
Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.
The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.
ముందు చూస్తే అయ్యవారి గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది, వెనక చూస్తే సాయెబు గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది.
mundu chuste ayyavari gurramuga unnadi, venaka chuste sayebu gurramuga unnadi.
Looking from the front it seems to be the Brahman's horse, looking from behind it seems to be the Śāhib's. The Kômati's evidence . The words are ambiguous and bear another meaning viz. " Before, this was the Brahman's horse—now, it is the Śāhib's" ( i. e. the Śāhib has taken possession of it ).
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.
చూడగా చూడగా గుర్రము గాడిదె అయింది
chudaga chudaga gurramu gadide ayindi
While looking and looking, the horse became a donkey.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something that was initially perceived as high quality, valuable, or promising gradually deteriorates or reveals its true, inferior nature over time. It can also refer to a project or task that started with great ambition but ended with a poor or disappointing result due to neglect or poor management.
గాడిద పుండుకు బూడిద మందు
gadida punduku budida mandu
Ashes are the remedy for a deep ulcer. Severe measures must be used with the incorrigible. Desperate ills require desperate remedies. (French.)
This proverb means that simple or insignificant problems require simple solutions, or that a cheap/worthless remedy is sufficient for a lowly subject. It is often used to suggest that one shouldn't waste expensive resources or high-quality efforts on something that doesn't deserve it.
ఏనుగు పడుకున్నా గుర్రమంత ఎత్తు
enugu padukunna gurramanta ettu
Even when the elephant lies down he is as high as the horse.
This expression is used to describe a person of great stature, wealth, or talent who remains superior or significant even during their lowest points or downfall. It suggests that a person's inherent greatness or previous high status still commands respect and is incomparable to the peak level of an ordinary person.
A man much superior to another.