కద్దు అనడానికీ లేదు అనడానికీ దీనికే అధికారమా?
kaddu anadaniki ledu anadaniki dinike adhikarama?
Has she a right to say "there is" or "there is not"? A beggar once asked alms from a daughter-in-law when her mother-in- law was out. She told him there was nothing for him. As he went he met the mother-in-law who enquired whether he had received alms at the house. On being told by the beggar that he had been sent away, she brought him back to the house and after chastising her daughter-in-law said to the man "Now you may go, has she any authority to say there are alms for you or there are not?" Told as an illustration of the fact that a daughter-in-law has no anthority whatever in the house.
This expression is used to mock someone who constantly contradicts themselves or claims absolute authority over both sides of an argument. It highlights the absurdity of one person or entity claiming the right to validate and invalidate the same thing whenever it suits them.
Related Phrases
నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే, కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు అదే దొరుకుతుంది
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite, kurchovadaniki chotu ade dorukutundi
If you get a place to stand in, you will soon be able to get room to sit in. Give me a seat, and I will make myself room to lie down. (Spanish.)
This proverb describes people who, after gaining a small favor or a tiny foothold, eventually try to take over or claim more space/rights. It is used to caution against giving an inch to opportunistic people who might take an ell, or to describe how small beginnings lead to larger opportunities.
ఆచారానికి అంతమూ లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆదీ లేదు
acharaniki antamu ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu
There is no limit to purity, nor any beginning to impurity. Man is sinful from his birth, and never attains to perfect purity.
This proverb highlights that tradition and custom (Achara) can be endlessly elaborate with no final limit, while deviations or lack of tradition (Anachara) have no specific origin or defined structure. It is often used to suggest that one can get lost in the complexities of rituals or that improper conduct has existed forever without a clear starting point.
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.
ఔనన్నా కాదన్నా అత్తకే అధికారం కాని కోడలికేముంది
aunanna kadanna attake adhikaram kani kodalikemundi
Whether one says yes or no, the mother-in-law holds the authority, what does the daughter-in-law have?
This proverb highlights traditional domestic hierarchies where the elder or the person in a position of established power retains ultimate control, regardless of the opinions or status of subordinates. It is used to describe situations where one person's authority is absolute and unquestionable.
చక్కదనానికి లొటిపిట, సంగీతానికి గాడిదె
chakkadananiki lotipita, sangitaniki gadide
For beauty, a camel; for singing, an ass.
This sarcastic proverb is used to describe someone who claims to excel at something but is actually the worst possible example of it. Just as a camel is not known for aesthetic beauty and a donkey's braying is the opposite of melody, this phrase mocks people who have misplaced confidence or are completely unsuited for the roles they are performing.
ఆడదానికీ ఆయనకూ ఆమడదూరం
adadaniki ayanaku amadaduram
Distance of eight miles between the woman and her husband.
This expression is used to describe a couple who are legally married but live separately or have no emotional or physical connection. It signifies a state of total estrangement or a complete lack of intimacy in a relationship.
వినకు, అనకు, కనకు
vinaku, anaku, kanaku
Do not hear, do not say, do not see.
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as a moral guideline to avoid evil: do not listen to evil, do not speak evil, and do not see evil. It is used to encourage people to maintain purity of mind and avoid participating in gossip or negativity.
ఆచారమునకు అంతమూ లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆదీ లేదు
acharamunaku antamu ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu
There is no end to traditions, and no beginning to non-traditions.
This proverb highlights that customs and traditions can be expanded indefinitely to the point of absurdity, while improper practices or lack of discipline can arise from anywhere without a clear origin. It is used to suggest that one should follow traditions within reasonable limits and avoid both extreme ritualism and complete lawlessness.
రాగానకు నేను, అందానకు మా అక్క.
raganaku nenu, andanaku ma akka.
I for singing, my eldest sister for beauty. Said by an ass of itself and the camel by way of praise. Applied to a braggart. Did you ever before hear an ass play upon a lute ?
This expression is used sarcastically to describe people who boast about their own non-existent talents or qualities. It often refers to a situation where two individuals claim to be experts in something they are actually quite bad at, highlighting their shared delusions or incompetence.
ఏలుకోవడానికి ఊళ్లు లేవుగాని, ఎత్తుకుని తినడానికి ఊళ్లు లేవా?
elukovadaniki ullu levugani, ettukuni tinadaniki ullu leva?
There are no villages to rule over, but are there not villages to beg in? Said by a beggar refused alms.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is too proud or lazy to work. It suggests that even if one lacks the status or means to be a leader or a ruler (high status), there are always ways to survive if one is willing to set aside their ego—often used sarcastically against those who complain about lack of grand opportunities while ignoring humble ways to make a living.