కరక్కాయ తురక రెండూ భేదికారులే; ఒకటి లోపలికి పోవాలి; ఇంకొకటి దగ్గరకు వస్తేనే చాలు.
karakkaya turaka rendu bhedikarule; okati lopaliki povali; inkokati daggaraku vastene chalu.
Both Haritaki and a Turk are purgatives; one must go inside, while for the other, just coming close is enough.
This is a historical proverb reflecting the fear and social impact during the era of invasions. While 'karakkaya' (myrobalan) acts as a laxative only when consumed, the mere presence of a 'turaka' (invader) was enough to cause people to lose control of their bowels out of fear. It is used to describe something or someone so terrifying that their mere approach causes panic.
Related Phrases
దగ్గకపోతే, దొబ్బలకూరకైనా కొరగాడు.
daggakapote, dobbalakurakaina koragadu.
If one does not cough, they are not even fit for a curry of weeds.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so weak, timid, or useless that they lack even the basic vitality or presence to be of any value. It suggests that if a person cannot even assert themselves or perform a simple action like coughing, they are considered completely ineffective in society.
విత్తు ఒకటి వేస్తే, చెట్టు ఇంకొకటి మొలచునా?
vittu okati veste, chettu inkokati molachuna?
If you sow one type of seed, will a different tree grow?
This expression is equivalent to 'as you sow, so shall you reap'. It highlights that actions have inevitable consequences and the results will always be consistent with the nature of the initial action. It is used to point out that one cannot expect good outcomes from bad deeds or vice-versa.
బయటకొకటి లోపలికొకటి
bayatakokati lopalikokati
One on the outside and another on the inside
This expression is used to describe a person who is hypocritical or two-faced. It refers to someone whose outward words or behavior do not match their true internal intentions or feelings.
మృతి దగ్గరకు వచ్చినా, సతి దగ్గరకు వచ్చినా మతి ఉండదు.
mriti daggaraku vachchina, sati daggaraku vachchina mati undadu.
Whether death approaches or a wife approaches, one loses their mind.
This proverb highlights two extremes where a person loses their rational thinking or common sense: when facing imminent death (due to fear and panic) and when overwhelmed by lust or infatuation. It is used to describe situations where a person acts irrationally under the influence of extreme fear or intense desire.
తాను ఒకటి తలిస్తే దైవం ఒకటి తలచినట్లు
tanu okati taliste daivam okati talachinatlu
If one thinks of one thing, God thinks of another.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Man proposes, God disposes.' It is used to describe situations where human plans or expectations fail to materialize because fate or a higher power had a different outcome in store.
రెండు చేతులు కలిస్తేనే చప్పట్లు అవుతాయి
rendu chetulu kalistene chappatlu avutayi
Only when two hands come together, a clap is made.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'It takes two to tango.' It is used to suggest that in a conflict or a collaborative effort, one person alone is usually not responsible; both parties involved contribute to the outcome or the argument.
తురక, మరక తిరగేసి నరక.
turaka, maraka tiragesi naraka.
Turk, stain, turn them over and chop.
This is a rhythmic folk saying or a tongue twister emphasizing that certain things (originally referring to stains on clothes or tough situations) need to be handled thoroughly from both sides to be resolved. In a modern context, it is often used as a playful rhyming phrase or to suggest that one should be relentless in tackling a problem.
కాటి దగ్గరి మాటలు కూటి దగ్గర ఉండవు
kati daggari matalu kuti daggara undavu
The words spoken at the graveyard do not remain at the dinner table.
This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of philosophical realizations or remorse. People often express deep wisdom or regret during somber moments (like a funeral), but quickly return to their usual habits and desires once they are back in the comfort of their daily lives.
ఒకటి తరక, ఇంకొకటి తాలు.
okati taraka, inkokati talu.
One is a broken piece, and the other is a hollow husk.
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are equally useless, defective, or of poor quality. It highlights that there is no choice between them because neither has any value, often used when comparing two options that are both unsatisfactory.
కల్యాణానికి ఒకరు వస్తే, కన్నం వేసేదానికి ఇంకొకరు వస్తారు.
kalyananiki okaru vaste, kannam vesedaniki inkokaru vastaru.
If one person comes for the wedding, another comes to dig a hole (burglary).
This proverb describes how different people have different intentions when a major event occurs. While some attend a celebration with good intentions to participate in the joy, others look for opportunities to exploit the situation for their own selfish or criminal gain. It is used to caution that one must be wary of opportunists during busy times.