ఇరుపోటీల యిల్లు చెడును, వాతనెప్పుల ఒళ్లు చెడును
irupotila yillu chedunu, vataneppula ollu chedunu
By rivalry a house is ruined, by rheumatic pains the body is worn out.
This proverb highlights how internal conflicts and constant bickering between family members or partners lead to the downfall of a household. It compares this domestic discord to 'Vata' (rheumatic or joint pains) which slowly but surely deteriorates the physical body. It is used to advise people to maintain harmony at home to avoid total ruin.
Related Phrases
చదువుల చెట్టుకు వేళ్ళు చేదు కానీ పండ్లు తీపి
chaduvula chettuku vellu chedu kani pandlu tipi
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
This proverb emphasizes that the process of learning and studying can be difficult, laborious, and demanding (the bitter roots), but the eventual rewards, knowledge, and success it brings are highly rewarding and pleasant (the sweet fruit). It is used to motivate students to persevere through the hardships of education.
ఆడది తిరిగి చెడితే, మగాడు తిరగక చెడును
adadi tirigi chedite, magadu tiragaka chedunu
A woman is ruined by roaming out, while a man is ruined by staying in.
This traditional proverb suggests that a woman's reputation or household duties suffer if she is constantly wandering away from home, whereas a man's livelihood or success suffers if he remains idle at home and does not go out to work or explore opportunities.
చెడు చెడు అనగానే, చెడేవారు లేరు.
chedu chedu anagane, chedevaru leru.
Just because someone says 'perish perish', nobody will actually perish.
This expression means that people do not face ruin or downfall simply because others wish it upon them or speak ill of them. It is used to suggest that ill wishes, curses, or malicious talk from others lack the power to cause real harm to a person's life or destiny.
గడుసువాడు మూడందాల చెడును
gadusuvadu mudandala chedunu
A cunning person is thrice as bad as they appear.
This proverb suggests that a manipulative or overly clever person causes damage in multiple ways or more extensively than a straightforward person. It is used to warn others about the deceptive nature of 'gadusu' (cunning/shrewd) individuals whose actions have far-reaching negative consequences.
చెడు అనకు, చెడు వినకు, చెడు కనకు
chedu anaku, chedu vinaku, chedu kanaku
Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil
This is the Telugu version of the famous 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as an ethical maxim advising people to lead a virtuous life by avoiding participation in, or exposure to, bad influences, gossip, and negativity.
మగవాడు తిరుగక చెడును, ఆడది తిరిగి చెడును.
magavadu tirugaka chedunu, adadi tirigi chedunu.
A man is ruined by not roaming; a woman is ruined by roaming.
This traditional proverb suggests that a man gains knowledge, opportunities, and success by going out into the world and networking, whereas staying idle at home leads to his downfall. Conversely, in a traditional social context, it implies that a woman's reputation or domestic stability might be compromised if she wanders aimlessly or neglects her home. It is often used to emphasize the importance of being active for men and the value of discretion or domestic focus for women.
గూబ ఎక్కిన కొంప చెడును.
guba ekkina kompa chedunu.
If an owl sits on the house, the family/household will be ruined.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb rooted in superstition. It implies that if an owl (traditionally considered an ill omen in some contexts) perches on a house, it brings bad luck or destruction to the family living there. In a broader sense, it is used to suggest that certain bad signs or the presence of negative influences can lead to the downfall of a home or organization.
ఆడది తిరిగి చెడును, మగవాడు తిరుగక చెడును.
adadi tirigi chedunu, magavadu tirugaka chedunu.
A woman is ruined by wandering; a man is ruined by not wandering.
This traditional proverb suggests that a woman's reputation or character may suffer if she spends too much time outside her home (reflecting historical social norms), whereas a man's prospects and knowledge suffer if he stays confined at home and doesn't venture out to explore, network, or work.
అప్పు చేసి చెడును, చెట్టెక్కి చేయి విడిచి చెడును.
appu chesi chedunu, chettekki cheyi vidichi chedunu.
One ruins themselves by taking debts, just as one ruins themselves by letting go of their hand after climbing a tree.
This proverb warns against the dangers of reckless financial behavior and overconfidence. It compares taking excessive loans to the fatal mistake of letting go of a branch while high up in a tree; both actions lead to certain downfall. It is used to advise people to live within their means and avoid risky situations created by their own negligence.
సంసారి తిరిగి చెడును, సన్యాసి తిరుగక చెడును.
samsari tirigi chedunu, sanyasi tirugaka chedunu.
A family man is ruined by wandering, while a monk is ruined by staying in one place.
This proverb highlights the contrasting responsibilities of different lifestyles. A householder (Samsari) loses focus on family and livelihood if they wander aimlessly. Conversely, an ascetic (Sanyasi) becomes stagnant, overly attached, or burdensome to a single community if they do not travel to spread knowledge and maintain detachment.