ఇంతేనా బుద్ధులు పుట్టినవాడా అంటే కడమవి కావిళ్ళతో వస్తున్నవి అన్నాడట
intena buddhulu puttinavada ante kadamavi kavillato vastunnavi annadata
When someone asked, 'Is this all the intelligence you have?', he replied, 'The rest is arriving on carrying poles.'
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally foolish or slow-witted, yet remains oblivious to their lack of common sense. It mocks a person who thinks they have plenty of wisdom yet to be revealed, even though their current actions prove they lack even basic judgment. It is used to satirize arrogance combined with stupidity.
Related Phrases
పొట్టివానికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
pottivaniki puttedu buddhulu
A short person has a basketful of brains.
This proverb is used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature or height, they often make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunningness. It implies that short people are exceptionally sharp-minded.
ఓడలు బండ్లు అవుతాయి, బండ్లు ఓడలు అవుతాయి
odalu bandlu avutayi, bandlu odalu avutayi
Ships come on carts; carts come on ships. When ships are broken up, the pieces are carried on carts. Good and ill fortune follow each other.
This proverb highlights the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fortune. Just as tides turn, a wealthy person (represented by ships) might lose everything and become poor (represented by carts), or a person in humble circumstances might rise to great power and wealth. It is used to advise humility during success and hope during hardship.
వడ్లు వాచిన వీరారెడ్డీ వడ్ల ధర ఎంతంటే, అవి ఉంటే ఇవి ఎందుకు వస్తాయి అన్నాడట
vadlu vachina virareddi vadla dhara entante, avi unte ivi enduku vastayi annadata
When asked the price of rice (paddy), Veera Reddy, who was suffering from swollen testicles, replied: 'If I didn't have these, why would I be worrying about those?'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is so overwhelmed by a severe personal problem or physical pain that they lose interest in worldly matters, business, or common logic. It highlights that one's immediate suffering takes precedence over everything else, sometimes leading to irritable or irrelevant responses to unrelated questions.
పొట్టివాడికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
pottivadiki puttedu buddhulu
A short person has a basketful of brains/wisdom.
This is a popular Telugu saying used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature, they make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunning. It is often used playfully or as a cautionary remark about not underestimating someone based on their small height.
కాటిలో పండినవీ కాకులు తిన్నవీ ఒకటే
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi okate
Grains grown in a graveyard and those eaten by crows are the same.
This proverb is used to describe something that is completely useless or has gone to waste. Just as one cannot consume crops grown in a cemetery (due to cultural taboos) or food already pecked at by crows, it refers to resources or efforts that have no value or benefit to anyone.
కాటిలో పండినవి కాకులు తిన్నవి
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi
The crows ate up the fruit which grew in the forest. Property common to all.
This proverb refers to things that are produced or earned in an improper, unholy, or wasted manner, which ultimately go to waste or are consumed by undeserving people. It is used to describe efforts that yield no benefit to the rightful person or are squandered due to bad circumstances.
* Dli irati lances pedes habent, 14
ఇల్లు కాలినది జంగమయ్యా అంటే, నా జోలే కప్పరా నా వద్దనే ఉన్నవి అన్నాడట.
illu kalinadi jangamayya ante, na jole kappara na vaddane unnavi annadata.
When the Jangam was told that the house had caught fire, he replied "I have my bag and bowl with me." Selfish indifference.
This proverb describes a person who is completely detached or indifferent to a situation because they have no personal stake or property at risk. It is used to remark on individuals who remain unconcerned about a general disaster or collective loss because their own minimal belongings are safe, or to describe those who prioritize their small interests over a major catastrophe affecting others.
ఏట్లో వంకాయలు కాస్తాయా అంటే, కాస్తాయి అన్నట్టు.
etlo vankayalu kastaya ante, kastayi annattu.
Like saying "yes" when asked whether brinjals grow in the river. A time server.
This expression is used to describe a person who agrees with everything someone says, even if it is logically impossible or absurd, usually to avoid conflict, please someone, or out of pure sycophancy. It highlights a lack of independent thinking or honesty.
రవి కానని చోటు కవి కాంచును
ravi kanani chotu kavi kanchunu
Where the sun cannot see, the poet can.
This proverb highlights the boundless imagination of a poet. While sunlight can reach almost everywhere physically, a poet's intuition and creativity can explore the depths of human emotions and abstract concepts that are beyond the reach of physical light.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, చేరెడు వెనక్కుకోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi atta ante, cheredu venakkukodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the boundary logs have been laid, the mother-in-law told her to move them back by a handful.
This proverb is used to describe a person (usually someone in authority) who gives unnecessary or contradictory advice just to show their dominance, even when the work done is perfectly fine. It highlights the tendency of some people to find faults or demand changes simply to exercise their power.