కంచు మోగినట్టు కనకము మోగునా
kanchu moginattu kanakamu moguna
Does gold ever ring like bell metal ?
This proverb highlights that valuable things or people of substance are often quiet and humble, whereas cheap or superficial things make a lot of noise. It is used to compare a wise, dignified person with a boastful, loud person, implying that quality doesn't need to shout to be noticed.
A wise man is sparing of his words, but a fool likes the sound of his own voice. A deluge of words and a drop of sense. " It is not the hen which cackles most that lays most eggs." (Dutch.)
Related Phrases
ముండకు దొరికేది మొరటు మొగుడే
mundaku dorikedi moratu mogude
The widow gets only a rude husband
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with poor luck or a bad reputation ends up with a partner or a deal that matches their unfortunate circumstances. It implies that one's quality of life or choices are limited by their status or previous misfortunes.
కంచం ఇచ్చి మెట్టె పెట్టించుకున్నా కానలేడు మొగుడు
kancham ichchi mette pettinchukunna kanaledu mogudu
Even after giving a plate and having a toe ring put on, the husband cannot see it.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely unobservant, dull-witted, or indifferent. It refers to a situation where someone fails to notice something glaringly obvious or a significant gesture, even after being explicitly prompted or provided with all the necessary tools to recognize it.
కనుమ పండుగనాడు కంచంలో ఎముక ఘల్లుమంటే కాశీలో గంట మోగించినంత పుణ్యం.
kanuma panduganadu kanchamlo emuka ghallumante kashilo ganta moginchinanta punyam.
If a bone clinks in the plate on the day of Kanuma festival, it is as meritorious as ringing the bell in Kashi.
This is a humorous and culturally specific saying related to the Sankranti festival. Kanuma is the third day of the festival when people traditionally consume non-vegetarian food. The saying jokingly implies that eating meat (and having the bone make a sound on the plate) on this specific day is a sacred or virtuous act, equivalent to a pilgrimage to Kashi.
అత్తకు మొగుడల్లుడు
attaku mogudalludu
The son-in-law is the husband to the mother-in-law.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is supposed to be subordinate or younger ends up dominating or controlling the person who should be in charge. It highlights an ironic reversal of roles or a situation where someone finds a match for their stubbornness or authority.
చెంబు కంచం పోతే, ముఖం మీద కొట్టినట్టు ముంతా మూకుడు తెచ్చుకోలేనా?
chembu kancham pote, mukham mida kottinattu munta mukudu techchukolena?
If I lose my brass pot and bell metal dish, can I not beat you by getting others made of earth ? A determined man will not be discouraged by difficulties.
This expression is used to show defiance, resilience, or self-sufficiency in the face of loss or insult. It implies that if one loses expensive or sophisticated things (represented by the brass vessel and plate), they can still survive and maintain their dignity using simpler, humbler alternatives (the clay pot and lid) just to prove a point to those who look down on them.
దాస్తే వినడు మొగుడు
daste vinadu mogudu
I have saved [ money ] live separate with me, husband. Said by a wife to her husband to induce him to quit his father's house. After he had yielded to her importance and left his father's house, he enquired the amount of her savings when she replied "I have saved myself for you."
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone refuses to acknowledge the truth or a problem even when it is hidden or subtly suggested. It highlights a person's stubbornness or lack of intuition in understanding a situation despite efforts to be discreet.
నన్నమ్మకు మొగుడు, తిమ్మన్న తల్లికి మొగుడు.
nannammaku mogudu, timmanna talliki mogudu.
A husband to Nannamma, and a husband to Timmanna's mother.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely clever, cunning, or a 'know-it-all' who thinks they can outsmart anyone. It refers to a person who claims superiority over those who are already considered experts or authorities in a particular field, often used in a sarcastic tone to highlight someone's overconfidence or manipulative nature.
కాలం మారి కంచు పెంకయినట్లు
kalam mari kanchu penkayinatlu
Like bronze turning into a potsherd when times change
This expression refers to a drastic decline in one's status or wealth due to a change in circumstances or bad luck. It describes a situation where something once precious and valuable (bronze) becomes worthless and fragile (a broken piece of clay) because of the turn of time.
ఏకులు వడికినట్టూ కాదు, మొగుడి దగ్గర పడుకున్నట్టూ కాదు
ekulu vadikinattu kadu, mogudi daggara padukunnattu kadu
Neither like spinning cotton nor like sleeping with the husband
This proverb describes a state of indecision or lack of productivity where a person is caught between two tasks and ends up doing neither properly. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be busy but accomplishes nothing, or someone who fails to commit to either work or leisure, resulting in a waste of time.
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.