జిలిబిలి పలుకుల వెలది నకారగుళ్ళ పాలైనట్లు.

jilibili palukula veladi nakaragulla palainatlu.

Translation

Like a woman of sweet and tender words falling into the hands of those who say 'no' to everything.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone talented, gentle, or articulate is forced to deal with stubborn, unrefined, or uncooperative people who reject everything. It highlights a mismatch between grace and harshness, or creativity and blunt negativity.

Related Phrases

Even a black cow's milk is white.

This proverb is used to emphasize that the internal quality or the essence of something is more important than its external appearance. Just as color of the cow does not affect the purity and color of its milk, a person's character or the value of a result should not be judged based on outward looks or origins.

His religious rites go to the water, and his Mantras to the Pariahs. Said of a great formalist. Most of the religious rites of the Brahmans are performed with water. The sacred formulas ( Mantras ) ought according to the Śāstras to be pronounced in a low voice, inaudible to the people.

This expression describes a situation where all the hard work, discipline, or ritualistic effort put into a task goes to waste due to a small mistake or lack of focus. It is used when someone meticulously follows a process but fails at the final stage, rendering the entire effort useless.

They say one should travel even ten amadas (distance) for a meal with dal.

This proverb highlights the high value placed on 'Pappu' (dal/lentils) in Telugu culture. It suggests that a simple, nutritious, and satisfying meal is worth any amount of effort or travel. It is used to describe something so desirable or beneficial that the distance or struggle to obtain it becomes irrelevant.

The words are like sugar, but the whole person is a heap of lies.

This proverb is used to describe a hypocrite or a deceptive person who speaks very sweetly and convincingly, but whose entire character is built on falsehoods and dishonesty. It warns not to be fooled by someone's charming speech when their actions and nature are untrustworthy.

Like a discarded leaf plate becoming useful on a festival day.

This expression describes a situation where something or someone previously considered useless or neglected suddenly becomes valuable or essential due to specific circumstances. It is often used to highlight a stroke of luck or the unexpected utility of a discarded object/person.

Words are gold, but character is thinner than milk.

This expression describes a hypocritical person who speaks very sweet, valuable, or virtuous words (like gold) but possesses a weak, watery, or poor character (thinner than milk). It is used to warn others about individuals whose actions and true nature do not match their eloquent speech.

The wealth of kings goes to stones and harlots. Kings addicted to debauchery spent their wealth in constructing houses, temples, &c. and also lavished much on their concubines instead of spend- ing their Revenue for the good of people they governed.

This proverb highlights how ill-managed or excessive wealth is often squandered on unproductive vanity projects (like grand stone monuments/forts) or hedonistic pleasures. It is used to caution against the misuse of resources and the inevitable waste that occurs when power and money are not directed toward the welfare of the people.

The father belongs to the villagers, and the mother belongs to the farmworkers.

This proverb describes a situation where both parents are constantly busy with outside work or social obligations, leaving no time for their own family or household. It is used to critique parents who neglect their responsibilities at home while being overly active in community affairs.

The parrot of a street speaks the language of that street.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks a firm stance or individual principles, instead adapting their speech and behavior to please the people they are currently with. It can also refer to how someone's environment or upbringing heavily influences their dialect and opinions.

A tongue without bones (nerves) speaks in many ways.

This proverb is used to describe how people can easily change their words, lie, or speak inconsistently because the tongue is flexible and lacks structural restraint. It is often a criticism of someone who makes false promises or shifts their stance conveniently.