గుడ్డిలో మెల్ల
guddilo mella
Squint is better than blindness
A slightly better position. All pleasures and miseries are relative. When compared with a man with two of his legs amputated, the one with at least one leg is fortunate. It is the positive (optimistic) attitude that matters.
Related Phrases
ముడ్డిలో పుండుకు మేనమామ వైద్యం
muddilo punduku menamama vaidyam
Medical treatment from a maternal uncle for a sore on the buttocks
This expression refers to an extremely embarrassing or awkward situation where one is forced to seek help from a close relative for a private or shameful problem. It highlights the discomfort and loss of dignity involved when personal matters cannot be kept secret due to necessity.
డబ్బు ముడ్డిలో దేవుడున్నాడు
dabbu muddilo devudunnadu
God resides in the backside of money
This blunt and cynical expression is used to describe how wealth commands immense power and respect in society. It implies that money is so influential that it can make anything happen, and people will worship or follow it as if it were a deity, often overriding moral or spiritual values.
ఇరుగు గుడ్డి, పొరుగు గుడ్డి, ఇంటి ఇల్లాలు గుడ్డి
irugu guddi, porugu guddi, inti illalu guddi
Neighbor is blind, the other neighbor is blind, and the lady of the house is also blind.
This expression is used to describe a situation where everyone involved lacks foresight, awareness, or common sense. It highlights a collective failure or ignorance where no one is capable of providing proper guidance or making a correct judgment.
పెట్టే అమ్మ బుద్ధిలో ఉంటే, ఏ బంతినైనా పెడుతుంది
pette amma buddhilo unte, e bantinaina pedutundi
If the mother who serves food has the intention, she can serve in any row.
This proverb highlights that if someone genuinely intends to help or give, they will find a way to do so regardless of the circumstances or their position. It is used to emphasize that the willingness of the giver is more important than the formal order or situation.
అబద్ధం చెపితే నిజం ముడ్డిలో మేకు కొట్టినట్లుండాలి
abaddham chepite nijam muddilo meku kottinatlundali
If you tell a lie, it should be like driving a nail into the bottom of the truth.
This expression is used to describe a lie that is told so convincingly and perfectly that it becomes indistinguishable from the truth, or effectively 'pins' the truth down so it cannot surface. It refers to the craftiness of a well-constructed falsehood.
గుడ్డికంటికి రెండు గూటాలు, మెల్లకంటికి రెండు మేళాలు
guddikantiki rendu gutalu, mellakantiki rendu melalu
Two stakes for a blind eye, two musical bands for a squint eye.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly cautious or excessive in trying to compensate for a minor or major defect. It highlights how people sometimes apply unnecessary or mismatched solutions to their problems, often making the situation look more dramatic or complicated than it needs to be.
గాలిలో మాట రాశాడు, నీటిలో మూట కట్టాడు
galilo mata rashadu, nitilo muta kattadu
He wrote words in the air and tied a bundle in the water
This expression refers to someone who makes impossible or empty promises that have no substance or reality. It describes actions that are futile, unreliable, or purely imaginary, much like the impossibility of writing on air or securing a bundle under water.
లద్దిలో మాణిక్యం
laddilo manikyam
A ruby in horse dung
This expression is used to describe a person of great value, talent, or beauty who is found in a poor, dirty, or unworthy environment. It highlights the contrast between someone's inherent worth and their external circumstances.
పాములలో మెలగవచ్చును గాని, స్వాములలో మెలగకూడదు.
pamulalo melagavachchunu gani, svamulalo melagakudadu.
You may walk among snakes, but keep clear of Vaishnava priests.
This proverb is a satirical warning against religious hypocrites or fake godmen. It suggests that while the danger of a snake is predictable and can be managed, the deceptive nature and hidden agendas of those pretending to be holy are far more dangerous and difficult to navigate.
గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు.
guddi kanna mella melu.
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or partial is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Half a loaf is better than no bread' or 'Something is better than nothing.'
Of two evils choose the least.