ఇంటినిండా కోళ్లు ఉన్నవి గానీ, కూసేటందుకు కోడి లేదు.

intininda kollu unnavi gani, kusetanduku kodi ledu.

Translation

The house is full of fowls, but there's not a cock to crow.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there are many resources or people available, but not a single one is capable of performing a specific, essential task or taking leadership when needed. It highlights the irony of quantity over quality or utility.

Notes

Said of useless people.

Related Phrases

The common masses have many heads, but not even a single neck.

This expression refers to the lack of unified leadership or independent direction among the common public. While there are many people (heads) with many opinions, they lack a single 'neck' to support those heads or move them in a coordinated, stable direction. It is used to describe a disorganized crowd that lacks a leader or a collective backbone.

There is dross in gold, but there is no defect in man.

This expression is used to highlight the inherent value and dignity of a human being. It suggests that while even a precious metal like gold might contain impurities or waste (pollu), a person's life and character should be regarded as invaluable and without waste. It is often used to emphasize human worth over material wealth.

Everything is there, but the border lacks the red dye (Togaru).

This proverb is used to describe a situation where everything seems perfect or complete, yet one crucial or finishing detail is missing that makes the whole thing feel incomplete or inadequate. It is often used to critique something that has quantity but lacks a specific quality or a necessary finishing touch.

Even though the house is full of chickens, the neighbor's rooster had to crow.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has plenty of resources or capable people at home, yet they still have to rely on outside help or wait for others to initiate an action. It highlights the irony of having internal strength but still being dependent on external factors.

Men remain not, but words last.

This expression highlights the permanence of one's reputation and legacy. While human life is transient and people eventually pass away, the words they spoke, the promises they made, or the impact of their speech endure long after they are gone. It is often used to remind someone to speak wisely or to honor the memory/words of the deceased.

Has the Jemuḍu fruit or shade?

This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely useless or miserly. Just as a cactus neither provides edible fruit nor sufficient shade for a traveler, some individuals possess neither a helpful nature nor resources that benefit others. It is typically applied to people from whom no help or kindness can be expected.

Jemuḍu is the Euphorbia Tirucalli.

Neither did the mother-in-law say yes, nor did the daughter-in-law say no.

This expression describes a state of total agreement or perfect harmony between two parties. It is often used to describe situations where there is no conflict, or conversely, used sarcastically to describe a situation where no progress is being made because no one is taking a definitive stand or challenging the other.

Sandalwood paste all over the body and a mouth full of betel nut.

This expression is used to describe someone who is overly decorated, living in extreme luxury, or showing off their prosperity and well-being. It signifies a state of being perfectly groomed and content, often used to remark on someone's high-status appearance or their indulgence in comforts.

There is a remedy for disease, but is there a remedy for fate?

This proverb is used to express that while physical ailments or problems can be cured with medicine or effort, the outcomes of destiny or fate are inevitable and beyond human control. It is often said when someone faces an unavoidable misfortune despite taking all precautions.

A village full of debts, a mouth full of teeth.

This expression is used to describe a person who is drowning in debt but remains shamelessly cheerful or continues to grin as if nothing is wrong. It mocks the irony of having many liabilities while maintaining a facade of carefree happiness or showing off.