కోమటి నిజము
komati nijamu
A Kômaṭi's truth.
This expression refers to a 'truth' that is ambiguous, non-committal, or deceptive. It is used to describe a situation where someone gives a diplomatic or evasive answer that seems honest but hides the actual facts to avoid trouble or profit-seeking, much like the stereotypical cleverness attributed to traditional traders.
Related Phrases
కోమటి విశ్వాసము
komati vishvasamu
The faith of a Kômaṭi. Faithlessness.
This expression refers to a double-edged or unreliable trust. It is used to describe a situation where someone's loyalty or commitment is solely dependent on their own profit or benefit, suggesting that their allegiance may shift as soon as the circumstances are no longer advantageous to them.
నిజము నిలకడమీద తెలుసును.
nijamu nilakadamida telusunu.
Truth will be known in time.
This proverb suggests that while lies or rumors might spread quickly or cause initial confusion, the truth eventually reveals itself over time. It is used to encourage patience during a misunderstanding or to remind someone that dishonesty cannot remain hidden forever.
Truth is the daughter of time.
కోమటి సాక్ష్యం
komati sakshyam
A merchant's testimony
This expression is used to describe a statement or evidence that is intentionally vague, non-committal, or deceptive. Just as a merchant might avoid taking a firm side to protect their business interests, 'Komati Sakshyam' refers to a testimony where the speaker avoids giving a direct answer or tries to please both parties without revealing the truth.
నిజమాడితే నిష్ఠురము
nijamadite nishthuramu
If you tell the truth [it causes ] annoyance.
This proverb is used to describe how telling the truth often causes offense or makes people unhappy. It suggests that while honesty is a virtue, it can lead to friction or bitterness in relationships because people often prefer hearing pleasant lies over harsh realities.
Truth is bitter food. (Danish.)*
కోమటి సాక్ష్యము
komati sakshyamu
A Kômaṭi's evidence. A story is told of a Kômaṭi who, when asked to identify a horse about which a Mussalman and Hindu were quarrelling, said the forepart of it looked like the Mussalman's horse and the hindpart like the Hindu's.
This expression refers to a statement or testimony that is ambiguous, non-committal, or clever enough to avoid taking a definitive side. It is used to describe a situation where someone speaks in a way that protects their own interests while technically answering a question, often leaving the listener in confusion.
కోమటి ఇల్లు కాలినట్టు
komati illu kalinattu
Like the burning of a Kômaṭi's house. A heavy loss.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a significant loss or problem but chooses to remain silent or suffers in secret without crying out for help, usually to avoid revealing their hidden wealth or secrets. It implies a quiet or concealed catastrophe.
నిజము నిలకడమీద తెలుస్తుంది
nijamu nilakadamida telustundi
The truth will be known with steadiness (over time).
This expression means that the truth eventually reveals itself as time passes. It is used to advise patience when someone is being falsely accused or when facts are currently obscured, suggesting that one should wait for the situation to settle for the reality to emerge.
సాగింది నిజము, సాగనిది కల్ల
sagindi nijamu, saganidi kalla
What works is the truth; what doesn't work is a lie.
This expression refers to pragmatism and opportunism. It suggests that success justifies the means—if a plan or a claim succeeds, people accept it as truth or a valid strategy, but if it fails, it is dismissed as a lie or a mistake. It is often used to describe how results dictate the perception of a situation.
కోతి చావు, కోమటి రంకు.
koti chavu, komati ranku.
A monkey's death, a Kômaṭi's adultery. Both are concealed from the eye of the world.
This proverb describes things that are never openly admitted or rarely seen in public. Just as one rarely sees a monkey's dead body (as they are said to hide away when dying) or a merchant's scandal (due to their discreet and cautious nature), some things remain hidden from the eyes of the world.
శాస్త్రం అబద్ధం కావచ్చు కానీ, చచ్చేది నిజం.
shastram abaddham kavachchu kani, chachchedi nijam.
The scriptures might be false, but death is a certainty.
This proverb is used to highlight an undeniable truth or an inevitable outcome. While theories, predictions, or traditional rules (Shastras) might sometimes fail or be debated, certain physical realities like death are absolute. It is often used to remind someone to focus on practical, undeniable facts rather than getting lost in theoretical arguments.