ఇద్దరు కూడితే ఇంగలం లేకుండానే మంట మండుతుంది

iddaru kudite ingalam lekundane manta mandutundi

Translation

When two people join together, a fire can burn even without charcoal.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe how gossip, conflicts, or conspiracies originate when two like-minded people with negative intentions get together. It suggests that their combined influence or conversation is enough to ignite trouble or spread rumors without any external spark or factual basis.

Related Phrases

If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.

Like peeling a fruit and placing it in the hand

This expression is used to describe a situation where something is explained so clearly and simply that it requires no effort to understand. It is similar to the English phrase 'making it crystal clear' or 'handing it on a silver platter.'

The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.

He said, 'There is fire in your house, and there is a burning pan in mine.'

This proverb describes a situation involving a highly selfish or hypocritical person. It refers to someone who wants to borrow something from others (represented by 'ingalam' or fire/embers) even when they already possess it themselves, or someone who expects others to share their resources while keeping their own for themselves. It is used to mock people who pretend to be in need just to exploit others.

The stove burns brightly after the rice is cooked.

This proverb describes a situation where help, resources, or solutions arrive too late to be of any use. It is used to remark on wasted efforts or delayed timing that misses the window of opportunity.

If you leave it alone, it will bear fruit; if you pull it up, it will wither away.

This proverb highlights the importance of patience and allowing things to take their natural course. It is often used to advise someone not to rush a process or interfere prematurely, as doing so might spoil the end result, just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen but will dry up if picked too early.

Everything is only for our good.

Normally used in comforting someone, the statement indicates that acceptance of what befalls one is a positive attitude. Worrying about what is unavoidable serves no purpose. One should realize what will be, will be.

The wound has healed to the extent of an atom, but remains as large as a winnowing basket.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem or an ailment has ostensibly 'healed' or been resolved, yet the remaining mark, consequence, or side-effect is still massive and problematic. It highlights cases where the solution hasn't truly diminished the overall burden or visibility of the issue.

The stove burns bright after the cooking is finished.

This expression is used to describe a situation where resources, solutions, or enthusiasm arrive too late to be of any practical use. It highlights the irony of something becoming available only after the need for it has passed.

For something that is crooked, a blow with a stone is the only medicine.

This proverb is used to suggest that stubborn, crooked, or ill-mannered people only learn or change when dealt with firmly or harshly. It implies that soft words do not work on certain characters; they require a 'hard hit' or strong disciplinary action to be straightened out.