కంచె చేను మేస్తే, కాపు ఎవరు కాస్తారు?

kanche chenu meste, kapu evaru kastaru?

Translation

If the fence itself eats the field, who will be the guard?

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person in a position of trust or authority, whose job is to protect something, ends up being the one who exploits or destroys it. It is commonly applied to corruption in leadership or betrayal by a protector.

Related Phrases

If your words are good, the world will be good to you.

This expression emphasizes that if you speak politely and treat others with respect, the people around you will respond with kindness and support. It is used to teach that one's social environment is often a reflection of their own behavior and speech.

If your heart is pure, even something bitter becomes good.

This proverb suggests that one's perception and outcome depend on their mindset or intentions. If your thoughts and attitude (chittam) are good, even unpleasant situations or bitter things (chedu) will result in a positive experience or be perceived as beneficial. It is often used to emphasize the importance of having a positive outlook and pure intentions.

Mother is good, but her serving ladle is not.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is inherently kind or well-intentioned, but the resources they provide or the way they allocate things is insufficient or harsh. It specifically refers to how a mother loves her child, but when she uses the ladle (teddu) to serve food, the portions might be small or the discipline might be firm. It is applied to people who are good at heart but stingy or strict in their actions.

If you go to do good, you won't even get drinking water.

This proverb is used to express frustration when a person's good intentions or helpfulness result in bad outcomes, lack of appreciation, or even trouble for themselves. It suggests that in some cynical situations, being virtuous doesn't even yield the most basic reward or gratitude.

Even if it is made of mud, our ox is the best.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is stubbornly biased or overly attached to their own belongings, ideas, or people, even when they are clearly inferior or artificial. It highlights a sense of blind loyalty or foolish pride where one refuses to acknowledge the reality of a situation.

If your mouth is good, the whole village will be good to you.

This proverb emphasizes that how you speak determines how others treat you. If you speak politely and kindly (good mouth), people around you (the village) will respond with the same kindness and respect. It is used to teach the importance of soft skills and polite communication in social life.

If it happens, it's castor seeds; if not, it's pigeon peas.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is prepared for two possible outcomes, often in farming or business. Castor plants grow in low rainfall, while pigeon peas need more rain. It signifies a win-win strategy or a fallback plan where regardless of the circumstances, there will be some form of harvest or benefit.

Even if the kudumu (steamed dumpling) is good, the stomach is not good.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where something offered or available is excellent, but the recipient is unable to enjoy or utilize it due to their own limitations, health issues, or lack of capacity. It highlights that the quality of an external object doesn't matter if the internal condition is unfavorable.

If the plough is not good, what can the oxen do?

This proverb is used to describe situations where the underlying tools, system, or leadership are fundamentally flawed. It implies that even with hard-working individuals (the oxen), desired results cannot be achieved if the primary equipment or plan (the plough) is defective. It is used to shift focus from the workers' effort to the structural failure.

If the seed is good, the fruit will also be good

This proverb emphasizes that the quality of the origin or foundation determines the quality of the outcome. It is used to describe how good upbringing leads to good character, or how proper planning and high-quality inputs lead to successful results.