కరవగ వచ్చునే బలిమి గాడిదకు పులితోలు కప్పిన
karavaga vachchune balimi gadidaku pulitolu kappina
Can a donkey bite with strength just because it is covered with a tiger's skin?
This proverb is used to say that one cannot change their true nature or acquire strength/character merely by changing their outward appearance or pretending to be someone they are not. Just as a donkey wearing a tiger skin doesn't gain the ferocity of a tiger, a person lacking inherent talent or character cannot achieve greatness through deception.
Related Phrases
కుక్కకు పులితోలు కప్పగానే కరవడం మానుతుందా?
kukkaku pulitolu kappagane karavadam manutunda?
Will a dog stop biting just because it is covered with a tiger's skin?
This expression means that a person's inherent nature or character does not change simply by changing their outward appearance or status. It is used to point out that dressing up or pretending to be something grander doesn't remove one's basic flaws or original habits.
స్థాన బలిమి కానీ తన బలిమి కాదు
sthana balimi kani tana balimi kadu
It is the strength of the position, not one's own strength.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's power, influence, or authority comes entirely from the position or office they hold rather than their personal merit or capability. It highlights that once the individual leaves that specific role or location, they no longer possess that same power.
తన బలిమికన్న స్థాన బలిమి మిన్న
tana balimikanna sthana balimi minna
Positional strength is greater than one's own strength.
This proverb emphasizes that the environment or position one occupies often provides more power and influence than individual physical or mental strength alone. It is used to explain how someone might appear powerful or successful primarily because of the support system, status, or location they are in.
కలిమి వస్తే బలం వస్తుంది, కలిమి పోతే బలం పోతుంది.
kalimi vaste balam vastundi, kalimi pote balam potundi.
When wealth comes, strength comes; when wealth goes, strength goes.
This expression highlights the social reality that a person's influence, status, and perceived power are often directly tied to their financial standing. It is used to describe how people respect and follow someone when they are rich, but abandon or overlook them once they lose their fortune.
స్థాన బలిమి కానీ తన బలిమి కాదయా
sthana balimi kani tana balimi kadaya
It is the strength of the position, not the strength of the person.
This expression emphasizes that a person's power or influence often comes from the position or office they hold rather than their innate abilities. It is used to remind people that once they lose their status or position, their perceived power will also vanish.
పువ్వులు వేడుకైన గడివోయిన వెనుక ఏరువచ్చా?
puvvulu vedukaina gadivoyina venuka eruvachcha?
After the celebration with flowers is over, is there any point in gathering them?
This expression refers to performing an action after the appropriate time has passed. It emphasizes that efforts or remedies are useless once the opportunity or the need for them has ended. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
తన బలిమి కన్నా స్థాన బలిమి మేలు.
tana balimi kanna sthana balimi melu.
The power of the place is greater than the power of the man. Every man is powerful in his own house. Every one is a king in his own house. (Portuguese.)
This proverb highlights that the environment, position, or support system a person occupies often provides more power and security than their individual physical or mental strength alone. It is used to explain why someone in a strategic position or a supportive territory can overcome even those who are individually more powerful.
దూడ వగచునె భువి తోడేలె సచ్చిన
duda vagachune bhuvi todele sachchina
Will a calf ever mourn on this earth if the wolf dies?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone would never grieve for the loss of an enemy or a predator. Just as a calf feels safe and relieved rather than sad when its predator (the wolf) dies, an oppressed person does not mourn the downfall of their oppressor.
గాడిదకు పులితోలు కప్పినంత మాత్రాన పులి అవుతుందా?
gadidaku pulitolu kappinanta matrana puli avutunda?
Will a donkey become a tiger just by covering it with a tiger's skin?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to hide their true nature or incompetence by putting on a false appearance of strength, wisdom, or authority. It implies that inner character cannot be changed by superficial outward changes.
మెచ్చి మేకతోలు కోరి గొర్రెతోలు కప్పుతారు
mechchi mekatolu kori gorretolu kapputaru
If they approve of you they will cover you with a goat- skin; and if they choose you, with a sheepskin.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's kindness or simple needs are exploited. It suggests that when a person is too accommodating or humble, others take advantage of them by giving them low-quality things or burdens under the guise of 'honoring' or 'favoring' them. It highlights how modesty can sometimes invite mistreatment.