కిందిమట్ట కాలుతుంటే, పైమట్ట నవ్వుతుందట
kindimatta kalutunte, paimatta navvutundata
While the lower palm leaf is burning, the upper one is laughing.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone laughs at others' misfortunes without realizing that the same fate awaits them. Just as the fire consuming the bottom leaf of a palm tree will eventually reach the top, one's current safety is often temporary in a shared crisis.
Related Phrases
కాడు కాలుతూ ఉంటే, కన్నె ఎదుగుతూ ఉంటుంది.
kadu kalutu unte, kanne edugutu untundi.
While the graveyard is burning, the maiden is growing.
This proverb highlights the cycle of life and the relentless passage of time. It illustrates that even while death and destruction are occurring in one place (the graveyard), life and growth continue elsewhere. It is used to describe the inevitable continuity of life and the simultaneous nature of ending and beginning.
పదిమంది నడిచింది బాట, పదిమంది పలికింది మాట
padimandi nadichindi bata, padimandi palikindi mata
The path walked by ten people is a road, the word spoken by ten people is the truth.
This proverb emphasizes the power of collective opinion and consensus. It suggests that when a large group of people follows a certain path or agrees on a particular statement, it gains legitimacy and becomes the established norm or truth. It is used to highlight that communal agreement carries more weight than individual opinion.
గొడ్డలిలో దూరిన కట్ట కులాన్నంతా కొట్టివేస్తుంది
goddalilo durina katta kulannanta kottivestundi
The wooden handle that enters the axe destroys its own kind.
This proverb is used to describe a traitor or an insider who helps an outsider destroy their own community or family. Just as an iron axe head needs a wooden handle (made from a tree) to chop down trees, a group is often brought down by one of its own members.
నత్త నడక
natta nadaka
Snail's pace
This expression is used to describe something that is moving or progressing extremely slowly. It is commonly used to criticize slow administrative processes, delayed projects, or people who are taking too long to complete a task.
పండాకు రాలుతుంటే, కొత్తాకు నవ్వుతుంది
pandaku ralutunte, kottaku navvutundi
While the old leaf falls, the new leaf laughs.
This proverb is used to describe the irony of the younger generation mocking or ignoring the elderly's decline, forgetting that they too will eventually age and face the same fate. It highlights the cycle of life and the inevitability of aging.
పోగా పోగా పైమీద బట్ట బరువవుతుంది
poga poga paimida batta baruvavutundi
As time goes on, even the cloth on one's body becomes a burden.
This expression describes a state of extreme exhaustion or fatigue where even the slightest weight or smallest task feels unbearable. It is used to signify that as a situation persists or as one loses strength, things that were once effortless become difficult to manage.
మెత్తగా ఉంటే మొత్త బుద్ధి వేస్తుంది
mettaga unte motta buddhi vestundi
If you are soft, people will feel like hitting you on the head.
This proverb is used to warn that if a person is too submissive, overly kind, or weak, others will naturally try to take advantage of them or mistreat them. It suggests that one must maintain a certain level of firmness to command respect.
నోరు మాట్లాడుతుంటే నొసలు ఎక్కిరిస్తుంది
noru matladutunte nosalu ekkiristundi
While the mouth is speaking, the forehead is mocking.
This expression is used to describe a person who is hypocritical or insincere. It suggests that while their words seem pleasant or agreeable, their facial expressions or underlying intentions betray their true, negative feelings. It can also refer to someone whose actions or expressions contradict what they are saying.
పండాకు రాలుతుంటే, పసరాకు నవ్వుతుందట
pandaku ralutunte, pasaraku navvutundata
When the yellow leaf is falling, the green leaf laughs.
This proverb is used to describe the irony or foolishness of young people mocking the elderly. Just as a green leaf (the youth) will eventually turn yellow and fall like the old leaf, everyone is subject to the passage of time and aging. It serves as a reminder that the fate of the old today will be the fate of the young tomorrow.
కాలం పోతుంది మాట నిలుస్తుంది
kalam potundi mata nilustundi
Time passes away, but the word remains
This expression emphasizes the permanence and importance of one's promises or speech. While time is fleeting and situations change, the words you speak—especially promises or insults—leave a lasting impact and are remembered long after the moment has passed. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their words or to honor their commitments.