కాకి కూసేవి కారుకూతలు, కోకిల కూసేవి కవితలు
kaki kusevi karukutalu, kokila kusevi kavitalu
A crow's calls are harsh caws, while a cuckoo's calls are poems.
This expression is used to highlight the difference in quality and impact between two people's words or actions. It suggests that when a person with bad intentions or lack of skill speaks, it is perceived as noise (meaningless or annoying), whereas when a wise, talented, or kind person speaks, it is perceived as art or wisdom. It is often used to contrast the speech of a fool versus a scholar.
Related Phrases
చెప్పేవి నీతులు, చేసేవి గోతులు
cheppevi nitulu, chesevi gotulu
Spouting morals while digging pits
This expression is used to describe a hypocrite who preaches high moral values and ethics to others but performs harmful or malicious actions in practice. It highlights the disparity between someone's virtuous words and their deceitful deeds.
ఉల్లి మల్లికాదు, కాకి కోకిలకాదు.
ulli mallikadu, kaki kokilakadu.
An onion is not a jasmine flower; a crow is not a cuckoo.
This proverb is used to emphasize that an object's or person's inherent nature cannot be changed just because of outward similarities or pretension. Just as an onion's smell prevents it from being a jasmine, and a crow's appearance doesn't make it a melodic cuckoo, intrinsic traits define true character.
చేసేవి నాయకాలు, అడిగేవి తిరిపాలు, పెట్టకుంటే కోపాలు.
chesevi nayakalu, adigevi tiripalu, pettakunte kopalu.
He gives himself the airs of a great man, but begs for alms, and is angry if he gets none.
This proverb is used to describe a person who puts on grand airs or acts superior while actually depending on others' charity, and further exhibits entitlement by getting angry when their demands are not met. It highlights the irony of having a big ego despite being in a position of dependency.
కాకులు నూరు కూసినా, ఒక కోకిల కూత మేలు
kakulu nuru kusina, oka kokila kuta melu
Even if a hundred crows caw, the song of one cuckoo is better.
Quality is far superior to quantity. This expression is used to emphasize that the words of one wise or talented person are more valuable than the meaningless noise of a hundred fools or mediocre people.
కాకి గూటిలో కోకిల పిల్లవలె
kaki gutilo kokila pillavale
Like a cuckoo chick in a crow's nest
This expression is used to describe a person who is living or growing up in an environment where they do not truly belong, or among people who are not their own. It often implies a situation where someone's true identity or superior talents are hidden or misplaced within a common or mismatched setting, just as a cuckoo bird lays its eggs in a crow's nest to be raised by the crow.
వసంతం వచ్చింది కోకిల కూసింది.
vasantam vachchindi kokila kusindi.
Spring has arrived, and the cuckoo has sung.
This expression is used to describe a natural or harmonious sequence of events where everything happens as it should at the right time. It signifies the onset of a beautiful season or a positive change, often used metaphorically to indicate that good times or expected outcomes have finally manifested.
కాకుల్లో జెముడు కాకి, కూతల్లో కోకిల కూత గొప్ప
kakullo jemudu kaki, kutallo kokila kuta goppa
Among crows, the Cemudu crow; among sounds, the cuckoo's song is great
This expression is used to highlight that true quality or talent stands out among mediocrity. Just as a cuckoo is superior to many types of crows due to its voice, a person of true merit is easily distinguished from a crowd of ordinary people.
చేసేవి శివపూజలు, చెప్పేవి అబద్ధాలు.
chesevi shivapujalu, cheppevi abaddhalu.
His employment is the worship of Śiva, but his words are lies.
This proverb describes a person who pretends to be very religious, pious, or moral on the outside while engaging in dishonest or deceitful behavior in reality. It is used to point out hypocrisy and the contrast between a person's outward show of devotion and their actual character.
A hypocrite. Much praying, but no piety. Beads about the neck and the devil in the heart. ఛ.
కట్టేవి కాషాయాలు, దూరేవి దొమ్మరి గుడిసెలు
kattevi kashayalu, durevi dommari gudiselu
Wearing saffron robes, but entering the huts of vagabonds.
This expression describes hypocrisy, specifically regarding moral or spiritual character. It refers to someone who maintains an outward appearance of holiness or high status (symbolized by saffron robes) while secretly engaging in low, immoral, or contradictory activities (symbolized by entering huts of ill-repute). It is used to call out double standards or fake piety.
రవి కానని చోటు కవి కాంచును
ravi kanani chotu kavi kanchunu
Where the sun cannot see, the poet can.
This proverb highlights the boundless imagination of a poet. While sunlight can reach almost everywhere physically, a poet's intuition and creativity can explore the depths of human emotions and abstract concepts that are beyond the reach of physical light.