కాలు జారితే తీసుకో వచ్చునుగాని, నోరు జారితే తీసుకోలేము
kalu jarite tisuko vachchunugani, noru jarite tisukolemu
If your foot slips you may recover your balance, but if your mouth slips you cannot recall your words. A slip of the foot may be soon recovered; but that of the tongue perhaps never. Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue. (French.)* A word and a stone once let go cannot be recalled. (Spanish.)
This proverb emphasizes the permanence of spoken words. While a physical fall or slip can be recovered from, words spoken carelessly or hurtfully cannot be retracted once they are out. It is used as a caution to think carefully before speaking.
* Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue. † Palabra y piedra suele no tiene vuelta.
Related Phrases
కాలు జారితే గంగానమ్మదే మహిమ అన్నట్టు.
kalu jarite ganganammade mahima annattu.
Like saying it is the miracle of Goddess Ganga if one's foot slips into the water.
This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their mistakes or accidents by attributing them to divine will or some noble cause. It mocks the hypocrisy of justifying a failure or a clumsy act as if it were a pre-planned or spiritual event.
జారితే పడమన్నారు కానీ, జరిగితే పడమన్నారా?
jarite padamannaru kani, jarigite padamannara?
They said to fall if you slip, but did they say to fall if you move?
This expression is used to mock someone who makes excuses for their failures or mistakes. It highlights the difference between an accidental mishap (slipping) and a deliberate or avoidable action (moving/shifting), suggesting that while some mistakes are inevitable, one shouldn't intentionally fail or blame circumstances for their own lack of effort.
వచ్చేటప్పుడు తీసుకురారు, పోయేటప్పుడు తీసుకుపోరు.
vachchetappudu tisukuraru, poyetappudu tisukuporu.
They don't bring anything when they arrive, and they don't take anything when they leave.
This proverb is a philosophical reflection on human life and materialism. It signifies that humans enter the world empty-handed at birth and depart without any worldly possessions at death. It is used to advise people against greed, over-attachment to wealth, and to encourage living a righteous life focused on good deeds rather than amassing riches.
ఆడేది అడ్డనామాలు పెడితే, పాడేది పంగనామాలు పెట్టినట్టు.
adedi addanamalu pedite, padedi panganamalu pettinattu.
If the dancer puts on horizontal marks, the singer puts on vertical marks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are competing in their eccentricities, mistakes, or exaggerations. It implies that if one person goes to one extreme, the other goes even further to outdo them, usually in a negative or ridiculous way.
అల్లుడలిగితే కూతురిని తీసుకొని పోతాడు
alludaligite kuturini tisukoni potadu
If the son-in-law gets in a huff, he will [ only ] take away the daughter. Said by a father-in-law or mother-in-law.
This proverb describes a situation where an angry person can only hurt or affect those who are already their own or within their control. It is used to suggest that someone's spiteful actions or 'threats' ultimately result in no real loss to the other party, or that the consequences stay within their own family circle.
వడ్డించేవాడు మనవాడైతే ఎక్కడ కూర్చున్నా ఒకటే
vaddinchevadu manavadaite ekkada kurchunna okate
If the person serving the food is one of our own, it doesn't matter where we sit.
This proverb highlights that if the person in power or authority is your well-wisher or relative, you will receive benefits regardless of your position or status. It is often used to describe nepotism or the advantage of having influential connections.
కాలు జారిన పిల్ల బతుకు, నోరు జారిన పెద్ద బతుకు వ్యర్థం
kalu jarina pilla batuku, noru jarina pedda batuku vyartham
The life of a child who slips (physically) and the life of an elder who slips (verbally) are wasted.
This proverb emphasizes the gravity of words spoken by mature individuals. Just as a physical fall can permanently disable a child's future, a person of status or age who speaks carelessly or fails to keep their word loses all respect and credibility in society. It highlights that responsibility and verbal integrity are the foundation of a meaningful life.
ముండ్ల మీద పడ్డ గుడ్డ మెల్లగా తీసుకోవలెను.
mundla mida padda gudda mellaga tisukovalenu.
The cloth which has fallen upon thorns must be taken off slowly.
This expression is used to advise patience and caution when dealing with delicate situations or difficult people. Just as rushing to pull a cloth off thorns would tear it, being hasty or aggressive in sensitive matters can cause more damage. It suggests that tact and composure are necessary to solve tricky problems.
చళ్ళు జారిన ముండకు, వట్టలు జారిన విటకాడు
challu jarina mundaku, vattalu jarina vitakadu
For a widow with sagging breasts, a lover with sagging testicles.
This proverb is used to describe a pair or a match where both parties are equally flawed, aged, or past their prime. It implies that people often find partners or associates who are at a similar level of disadvantage or condition as themselves. It is used in a derogatory or mocking sense to point out that 'like meets like' in suboptimal situations.
మున్నూరు శిఖలైనా కూడవచ్చునుగాని, మూడు కొప్పులు కూడరాదు.
munnuru shikhalaina kudavachchunugani, mudu koppulu kudaradu.
Three hundred male tufts can coexist, but three female buns cannot.
This traditional proverb suggests that while a large number of men (symbolized by 'shikha' or tufts) can work together or live in harmony, even a small number of women (symbolized by 'koppu' or hair buns) often find it difficult to coexist without conflict or disagreements. It is typically used to remark on domestic friction or the perceived difficulty of managing multiple women in a single household.