ఇంటివానికి చులకనైతే, బయటవానికీ చులకన, బానిసవానికీ చులకన
intivaniki chulakanaite, bayatavaniki chulakana, banisavaniki chulakana
If one is disrespected by family, they are disrespected by outsiders and even by slaves.
This proverb emphasizes that self-respect and the respect of one's own family are the foundation of social status. If a person is not valued or respected within their own home, outsiders and even those in subordinate positions will naturally lose respect for them. It serves as a reminder to maintain dignity and unity within the household.
Related Phrases
వంగతోటవానికి కని గుడ్డు, ఆకుతోటవానికి విని చెవుడు.
vangatotavaniki kani guddu, akutotavaniki vini chevudu.
The brinjal gardener is blind, though he sees; the betel gardener is deaf, though he hears. In the first case, the gardener on being asked to give brinjals pretends he cannot find any; in the second case, the gardener when called to by some one outside the garden for betel pretends he cannot hear.—(Brah- mans and some high caste Sûdras are forbidden by their Sâstras to enter a betel garden). None so deaf as he that won't hear. (French.)
This proverb describes professional biases and intentional ignorance. A brinjal gardener ignores the ripeness or pests they see to suit their convenience, and a betel leaf gardener (who needs silence for the delicate plants) pretends not to hear others. It is used when someone deliberately ignores obvious facts or calls to action for their own benefit.
* Panadera erades antes, aunque ahora traeis guantes. † Il n'est pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
Is it for licking the armpit if it is not available when needed?
This is a blunt and colloquial rhetorical question used to express frustration when a resource, tool, or person is unavailable at the exact moment of need. It implies that something is completely useless if it doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis, regardless of its existence otherwise.
నరకానికి నవద్వారాలు, నాకానికి ఒకటే.
narakaniki navadvaralu, nakaniki okate.
Hell has nine gates, but Heaven has only one.
This proverb suggests that there are many ways to fall into vice or make mistakes (symbolized by the nine openings of the human body and worldly distractions), whereas the path to virtue or liberation is singular and requires disciplined focus. It is used to caution someone that it is easy to go astray but difficult to find the right path.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
If it is not available when needed, should I lick my armpit?
This is a blunt and slightly crude idiomatic expression used to express frustration when a resource, person, or tool is unavailable at the exact moment it is required. It implies that if something doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis or need, it is utterly useless thereafter.
బీదవానికి మాట ఇయ్యరాదు, కలిగినవానికి చోటు ఇయ్యరాదు
bidavaniki mata iyyaradu, kaliginavaniki chotu iyyaradu
Do not give your word to a poor man, and do not give space to a wealthy man.
This proverb advises caution in social and financial dealings. If you make a promise to a poor person and fail to keep it, their despair may lead to bitterness or social shame for you. Conversely, if you give a wealthy or powerful person space (or a foothold in your affairs/property), they may use their influence to eventually usurp or dominate you.
అంగట్లో ఆటసాగితే, మద్దెలకానికి బయట పెట్టిందట
angatlo atasagite, maddelakaniki bayata pettindata
When her dance went well in the market, she credited it to the drum player being outside.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone fails to give credit where it is due, or perversely blames their success on an irrelevant external factor. It can also imply a person who tries to hide their lack of skill by making excuses or blaming their equipment/accompaniment even when things go right.
కుంటివాని తిప్పలు కుంటివానికి, గూనివాని తిప్పలు గూనివానికి
kuntivani tippalu kuntivaniki, gunivani tippalu gunivaniki
The lame man's struggles are his own, and the hunchback's struggles are his own.
This expression means that every person has their own unique set of problems and struggles which only they truly understand and endure. It is used to emphasize that one cannot compare or diminish someone's hardship, as everyone is preoccupied with their own specific challenges in life.
అలవాటైన వాని ఆలైతే మాత్రం అందరికీ చులకనౌతుందా?
alavataina vani alaite matram andariki chulakanautunda?
Just because someone becomes the wife of a familiar person, does she become cheap to everyone?
This proverb is used to say that familiarity or close association with someone shouldn't lead to a lack of respect or being taken for granted. It highlights that even if someone is well-known or 'one of our own,' they still deserve dignity and shouldn't be treated lightly or with contempt by the community.
చెప్పేవానికి చాదస్తమయితే, వినేవానికి వివేకం వద్దా?
cheppevaniki chadastamayite, vinevaniki vivekam vadda?
If the speaker is obsessive or foolish, shouldn't the listener have common sense?
This proverb is used when someone gives unreasonable advice or tells nonsense. It implies that even if a speaker is being irrational or repetitive, the listener should use their own judgment and intelligence to filter the information instead of blindly following or believing it.
చచ్చేవాడికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టేవాడికి అన్న
chachchevadiki tammudu, puttevadiki anna
Younger brother to the one dying, elder brother to the one being born
This expression describes a person who is in a middle-aged or transitional stage of life. It is often used to refer to someone who is neither too young nor too old, bridging the gap between generations, or someone who is an experienced adult who has seen both the end of one era and the start of another.