గడుసువాడు మూడందాల చెడును
gadusuvadu mudandala chedunu
A cunning person is thrice as bad as they appear.
This proverb suggests that a manipulative or overly clever person causes damage in multiple ways or more extensively than a straightforward person. It is used to warn others about the deceptive nature of 'gadusu' (cunning/shrewd) individuals whose actions have far-reaching negative consequences.
Related Phrases
ఆడది తిరిగి చెడితే, మగాడు తిరగక చెడును
adadi tirigi chedite, magadu tiragaka chedunu
A woman is ruined by roaming out, while a man is ruined by staying in.
This traditional proverb suggests that a woman's reputation or household duties suffer if she is constantly wandering away from home, whereas a man's livelihood or success suffers if he remains idle at home and does not go out to work or explore opportunities.
మగవాడు తిరుగక చెడును, ఆడది తిరిగి చెడును.
magavadu tirugaka chedunu, adadi tirigi chedunu.
A man is ruined by not roaming; a woman is ruined by roaming.
This traditional proverb suggests that a man gains knowledge, opportunities, and success by going out into the world and networking, whereas staying idle at home leads to his downfall. Conversely, in a traditional social context, it implies that a woman's reputation or domestic stability might be compromised if she wanders aimlessly or neglects her home. It is often used to emphasize the importance of being active for men and the value of discretion or domestic focus for women.
గూబ ఎక్కిన కొంప చెడును.
guba ekkina kompa chedunu.
If an owl sits on the house, the family/household will be ruined.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb rooted in superstition. It implies that if an owl (traditionally considered an ill omen in some contexts) perches on a house, it brings bad luck or destruction to the family living there. In a broader sense, it is used to suggest that certain bad signs or the presence of negative influences can lead to the downfall of a home or organization.
ఇరుపోటీల యిల్లు చెడును, వాతనెప్పుల ఒళ్లు చెడును
irupotila yillu chedunu, vataneppula ollu chedunu
By rivalry a house is ruined, by rheumatic pains the body is worn out.
This proverb highlights how internal conflicts and constant bickering between family members or partners lead to the downfall of a household. It compares this domestic discord to 'Vata' (rheumatic or joint pains) which slowly but surely deteriorates the physical body. It is used to advise people to maintain harmony at home to avoid total ruin.
చావ చావడు, మంచమూ వదలడు
chava chavadu, manchamu vadaladu
He would neither die nor give up his bed.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is stuck in a state of limbo, causing prolonged distress or inconvenience to others. It refers to a problem that doesn't get resolved but continues to linger, or a person who occupies a position without being productive, preventing others from taking over.
చెడేవాడు చెన్నూగాడు చెడుతుంటే, ఇంకా చారెడు ఎగెయ్యమన్నాడట
chedevadu chennugadu chedutunte, inka charedu egeyyamannadata
When a man named Chennugadu was already ruining himself, someone asked to throw a handful more (of fuel or ruin) his way.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is already on a path of self-destruction or making a big mistake is further encouraged or pushed toward total downfall by others. It is similar to the English concept of 'adding fuel to the fire' or 'kicking someone when they are down,' specifically in the context of witnessing an inevitable failure and accelerating it.
ఆడది తిరిగి చెడును, మగవాడు తిరుగక చెడును.
adadi tirigi chedunu, magavadu tirugaka chedunu.
A woman is ruined by wandering; a man is ruined by not wandering.
This traditional proverb suggests that a woman's reputation or character may suffer if she spends too much time outside her home (reflecting historical social norms), whereas a man's prospects and knowledge suffer if he stays confined at home and doesn't venture out to explore, network, or work.
అప్పు చేసి చెడును, చెట్టెక్కి చేయి విడిచి చెడును.
appu chesi chedunu, chettekki cheyi vidichi chedunu.
One ruins themselves by taking debts, just as one ruins themselves by letting go of their hand after climbing a tree.
This proverb warns against the dangers of reckless financial behavior and overconfidence. It compares taking excessive loans to the fatal mistake of letting go of a branch while high up in a tree; both actions lead to certain downfall. It is used to advise people to live within their means and avoid risky situations created by their own negligence.
సంసారి తిరిగి చెడును, సన్యాసి తిరుగక చెడును.
samsari tirigi chedunu, sanyasi tirugaka chedunu.
A family man is ruined by wandering, while a monk is ruined by staying in one place.
This proverb highlights the contrasting responsibilities of different lifestyles. A householder (Samsari) loses focus on family and livelihood if they wander aimlessly. Conversely, an ascetic (Sanyasi) becomes stagnant, overly attached, or burdensome to a single community if they do not travel to spread knowledge and maintain detachment.
గబ్బువాడు, గదరువాడు వియ్యమందితే, మురికివాడు వచ్చి ముద్దాడినాడట
gabbuvadu, gadaruvadu viyyamandite, murikivadu vachchi muddadinadata
When a stinky man and a filthy man became relatives, a dirty man came and kissed them.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people of low character or bad habits come together, attracting even worse company. It highlights that like-minded individuals with negative traits often form alliances, and such associations only lead to further degradation or the involvement of even more undesirable elements.