ఈ ఊళ్లో పెద్దలు ఎవరంటే తాళ్లు, దాతలు ఎవరంటే చాకళ్లు.
i ullo peddalu evarante tallu, datalu evarante chakallu.
When asked who were the great ( men ) in the village, he said "The Palmyraras;" when asked who were the givers ( of presents ), he replied "The washermen." A joke. The Palmyraras are the tallest trees, and the washermen give people back their clothes. ఉ.
This proverb is used to describe a place where there are no truly respectable or generous people. Palm trees are 'tall' but provide no shade or wisdom like an elder, and washermen give back clothes that already belong to others, mimicking 'donation' without actual sacrifice. It highlights a lack of genuine leadership or charity in a community.
Related Phrases
ఉడికిన మెతుకులు తిని ఊళ్లో ఉండేవాణ్ణి, నాకు ఎవరితో ఏమి పని ఉన్నది?
udikina metukulu tini ullo undevanni, naku evarito emi pani unnadi?
I am a man who eats boiled rice and lives in the village, what have I to do with others ?
This expression is used to describe a simple, self-sufficient person who leads a content life without depending on others or getting involved in unnecessary conflicts or social complexities. It highlights a sense of independence and lack of obligation towards others when one's basic needs are met.
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ ఎవరూ చూడడం లేదని అనుకున్నట్లు.
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu evaru chudadam ledani anukunnatlu.
Like a cat shutting her eyes, and fancying that no one could see her drinking the milk. A man fancying that he is unseen when committing some crime. The forest has ears, the field has eyes. (German.)
This proverb refers to people who commit wrongdoings or deceptive acts thinking they are being clever or secretive, while in reality, their actions are obvious to everyone else. It is used to mock self-deception and the foolish belief that one can hide the truth by simply ignoring it.
ఏట్లో పారే నీళ్లు ఎవరు తాగితే ఏమి?
etlo pare nillu evaru tagite emi?
What matters it who drinks the water flowing in the river?
This proverb is used to describe resources that are abundant, public, or inexhaustible. It implies that when something is available in plenty for everyone, one shouldn't be stingy, jealous, or concerned about who else is utilizing it. It is often cited to suggest that communal or natural wealth belongs to all.
A right common to all.
ఆకలిగొన్నవాడు ఎంగిటికి ఏవగించడు
akaligonnavadu engitiki evaginchadu
The hungry man will not refuse leavings.
When someone is in extreme need or desperate, they do not care about the quality, social status, or cleanliness of the help or resources provided. It is used to describe how basic survival needs or urgent requirements override one's usual preferences or pride.
అందరూ అందలం ఎక్కితే, మోసేవారు ఎవరు?
andaru andalam ekkite, mosevaru evaru?
If all get into the palankin, who will be the bearers ? You a lady, I a lady, who is to drive out the sow? (Ollician.)
This proverb highlights the necessity of a social hierarchy and division of labor. It implies that if everyone wants to be the leader or hold a position of comfort and authority, no one will be left to do the actual work. It is used when everyone in a group expects to be served or wants a high-status role without contributing effort.
నమ్మి నడివీథిలో వేసినవారు ఎవరు?
nammi nadivithilo vesinavaru evaru?
Who throws [ his property ] into the middle of the street and trusts it there?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has been betrayed or abandoned by the very person they placed their full trust in. It highlights the vulnerability of trusting someone blindly and the devastating consequence of being left helpless (in the middle of the street) when that trust is broken.
తేలుకు ఎవరు అపకారం చేశారు?
teluku evaru apakaram chesharu?
Who did evil to the scorpion ? Thoroughly bad by nature injuring others without provocation.
This rhetorical question is used to describe someone who is inherently malicious or harmful by nature, regardless of how they are treated. Just as a scorpion stings without provocation or reason, some people cause trouble or hurt others simply because it is in their character, not because they were wronged.
ఆవ తిన్న అమ్మకు యేవ పారినదట
ava tinna ammaku yeva parinadata
The woman who fed on mustard grew strong. Fattening on poor fare.
This proverb is used to describe a person who experiences an exaggerated or unnatural reaction to something they voluntarily did or something very minor. It highlights hypocrisy or fake sensitivity, comparing it to someone who eats mustard (which is common and small) but then acts as if it has caused them a great deal of sickness or nausea (yeva).
నిత్యం చచ్చేవారికి ఏడ్చేవారెవరు?
nityam chachchevariki edchevarevaru?
Who are the mourners over people that die every day ? Those who always say their death is near. Said of a man continually requiring to be corrected in his work.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person constantly creates or faces the same trouble. When someone is perpetually in a state of self-inflicted misery or repetitive drama, others eventually lose sympathy and stop caring or helping. It highlights the exhaustion of empathy toward those who do not learn from their mistakes or who constantly complain about recurring issues.
తేలుకు ఎవరు అపకారము చేసినారు?
teluku evaru apakaramu chesinaru?
Who has done any harm to the scorpion?
This expression is used to highlight the innate nature of some people or creatures to cause harm even without provocation. Just as a scorpion stings naturally without being provoked, some individuals exhibit malicious behavior regardless of how others treat them. It serves as a rhetorical question to suggest that bad behavior is often a result of one's character rather than a reaction to external injury.