కట్టిన ఇంటికి వంకరలు చెప్పేవారు వెయ్యిమంది
kattina intiki vankaralu cheppevaru veyyimandi
There are a thousand people to point out defects in a house already built.
This proverb is used to describe how people find it easy to criticize or find faults in a completed task, even though they did not contribute to the effort. It highlights the human tendency to offer unsolicited advice or pinpoint mistakes after the hard work is done.
Related Phrases
కట్టిన ఇంటికి కణుకులు మెండు
kattina intiki kanukulu mendu
A house already built has many critics.
This proverb is used to describe how people find numerous faults or suggest unnecessary improvements only after a task is completed. It is similar to the English expression 'Hindsight is 20/20' or 'Everyone is a master after the event.'
శ్రీరంగనీతులు చెప్పేవారేగాని, చేసేవారు లేరు.
shriranganitulu cheppevaregani, chesevaru leru.
There are many who preach the morals of Srirangam, but none who practice them.
This expression is used to describe hypocrites who give lofty moral advice to others but fail to follow it themselves. It is similar to the English proverb 'Practice what you preach' or 'Do as I say, not as I do.' It highlights the gap between words and actions.
శ్రీరంగ నీతులు చెప్పేవారే కానీ చేసేవారు లేరు
shriranga nitulu cheppevare kani chesevaru leru
There are many who preach the morals of Srirangam, but none who practice them.
This expression is used to describe hypocrites who give great moral lectures or advice to others but fail to follow those same principles in their own lives. It highlights the gap between preaching and practicing.
ఏనుగు బ్రతికినా వెయ్యి, చచ్చినా వెయ్యి
enugu bratikina veyyi, chachchina veyyi
An elephant is worth a thousand when alive, and worth a thousand even when dead.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of immense value, status, or reputation that remains significant regardless of their current state or circumstances. Just as an elephant provides labor while alive and valuable ivory/hides after death, a great person's legacy or a high-quality asset continues to command respect and value even after its prime.
నలుపు నాలుగు వంకరలు చూపుతుంది, ఎరుపు ఏడు వంకరలు దాస్తుంది
nalupu nalugu vankaralu chuputundi, erupu edu vankaralu dastundi
Black reveals four curves, while red hides seven curves.
This traditional Telugu proverb highlights the visual properties of colors in relation to physical appearance. It suggests that darker colors (black) tend to emphasize flaws, bends, or physical imperfections in an object or person, whereas brighter colors (specifically red) can mask or hide many more imperfections, making things look more attractive or seamless than they actually are.
వేషం వేయిమందిని కొడుతుంది.
vesham veyimandini kodutundi.
An attire/disguise can deceive or strike a thousand people.
This expression highlights the power of appearance and external form. It suggests that if one dresses the part or puts on a convincing disguise, they can influence, deceive, or command respect from a large group of people regardless of their true nature.
అడిగే వాడికి చెప్పేవాడు లోకువ.
adige vadiki cheppevadu lokuva.
For the one who asks, the one who answers seems inferior in status.
It is easier to put questions than to answer them. It is therefore necessary to be considerate to others and raise only genuine doubts for proper clarification.
నవ్వ చెప్పేవాడు చెడ జెప్పును, యేడవ చెప్పేవాడు బ్రతక చెప్పును.
navva cheppevadu cheda jeppunu, yedava cheppevadu brataka cheppunu.
He who speaks to make you laugh, speaks to your ruin; he who speaks to make you weep, speaks to your profit. A friend's frown is better than a fool's smile.
This proverb highlights the difference between a sycophant and a true well-wisher. Someone who always tells you what you want to hear (making you laugh/happy) might be leading you toward a downfall by ignoring your mistakes. In contrast, a true friend or mentor who criticizes you or tells you harsh truths (making you cry/sad) actually helps you improve and succeed in life.
కట్టిన ఇంటికి వంకలు చెప్పేవారు వెయ్యిమంది
kattina intiki vankalu cheppevaru veyyimandi
Those who criticize the design of a built house are a thousand. He that buildeth upon the highway hath many advisers. ( Dutch. )* Every fool can find faults that a great many wise men can't remedy.
This proverb is used to describe how easy it is for others to criticize or find faults in a project or task once it has been completed, despite not contributing to the effort themselves. It highlights that critics are plentiful, while workers are few.
* Die aan den weg timmert, heeft veel berechts.
కట్టినవానికి ఒక ఇల్లు అయితే కట్టనివానికి వెయ్యి ఇళ్లు.
kattinavaniki oka illu ayite kattanivaniki veyyi illu.
A man that has built a house has one house, a man that has built no house has a thousand houses. A man without a house can change his residence as often as he pleases. He who has no house of his own is every where at home. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to highlight the freedom of choice and lack of burden that comes with not being tied down to a specific commitment or property. While a homeowner is restricted to their one house and its maintenance, a person who hasn't built or bought a home is free to live anywhere. It can also imply that someone without responsibilities has many options, whereas someone committed to a task is limited to that one path.