కూడు ఉడికిన వెనక పొయ్యి మండుతుంది, కులం చెడ్డ వెనక బుద్ధి వస్తుంది.
kudu udikina venaka poyyi mandutundi, kulam chedda venaka buddhi vastundi.
After the food has boiled the fire burns well, after the caste has been lost [ a man's ] sense comes. i. e. He comes to his senses after losing his caste.
This proverb is used to describe the irony of gaining resources, realization, or wisdom after the opportunity to use them effectively has passed. It highlights that being 'wise after the event' is futile, much like a fire that blazes only after the cooking is finished.
Related Phrases
జాతి బుద్ధి జాతిది - కులం బుద్ధి కులానిది
jati buddhi jatidi - kulam buddhi kulanidi
Species trait stays with the species - Clan trait stays with the clan
This expression suggests that inherent characteristics or basic instincts associated with one's origin, upbringing, or lineage are difficult to change. It is often used to point out that a person's fundamental behavior inevitably reflects their roots or true nature, regardless of external changes.
మొగుడు చచ్చిన వెనక ముండకు బుద్ధి వచ్చినది.
mogudu chachchina venaka mundaku buddhi vachchinadi.
After her husband's death, the jade came to her senses.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone realizes their mistake or understands the importance of something only after it is permanently lost or when it is too late to rectify the damage. It highlights the futility of late realization.
ఆడదాని బుద్ధి అపర బుద్ధి
adadani buddhi apara buddhi
A woman's sense is wrong sense.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to suggest that women think differently or more deeply than men, often implying that they come up with clever solutions later or have a unique perspective that isn't immediately obvious. While historically sometimes used dismissively, it is also used to acknowledge a woman's intuitive or strategic thinking.
Lit. in the back of the head.
వెనకా ముందూ చూచి మాట్లాడండి
venaka mundu chuchi matladandi
Having looked before and behind, speak, Sir. A story is told of a corrupt judge behind whose seat one of the parties in a suit placed a bag of money and when he perceived that the case was going against him, called out " Look before and behind you Sir, and decide." The judge, perceiving the bribe, adroitly turned his judgment against the opposite party.
This expression is used as a piece of advice or a warning to someone to be cautious with their words. It suggests thinking about the consequences, the context, and the people present before speaking, ensuring one doesn't say something regrettable or inappropriate.
నక్క పోయిన వెనక బొక్క కొట్టుకొన్నట్టు.
nakka poyina venaka bokka kottukonnattu.
After the jackal had departed, the hole lamented and wept. Great sorrow in a household.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes action or seeks a solution after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done. It is used to mock futile, late efforts that serve no purpose, similar to the English expression 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
చెడ్డవాడు వెనకయ్య చేతికి వెసలిచ్చినట్లు.
cheddavadu venakayya chetiki vesalichchinatlu.
Like giving a vessel to a bad man named Venkayya.
This proverb describes a situation where an unreliable or irresponsible person is given a task or an object, which they will inevitably ruin or lose. It is used when someone entrusts something valuable to a person known for their carelessness or bad character, leading to a predictable failure.
అన్నం ఉడికినాక పొయ్యి మండుతుంది.
annam udikinaka poyyi mandutundi.
The stove burns brightly after the rice is cooked.
This proverb describes a situation where help, resources, or solutions arrive too late to be of any use. It is used to remark on wasted efforts or delayed timing that misses the window of opportunity.
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది.
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi.
If you leave it alone, it will bear fruit; if you pull it up, it will wither away.
This proverb highlights the importance of patience and allowing things to take their natural course. It is often used to advise someone not to rush a process or interfere prematurely, as doing so might spoil the end result, just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen but will dry up if picked too early.
వంట ముగిసిన తర్వాత పొయ్యి మండుతుంది
vanta mugisina tarvata poyyi mandutundi
The stove burns bright after the cooking is finished.
This expression is used to describe a situation where resources, solutions, or enthusiasm arrive too late to be of any practical use. It highlights the irony of something becoming available only after the need for it has passed.
సమయానికి లేని బాకా చచ్చిన వెనకటికా?
samayaniki leni baka chachchina venakatika?
Can the horn not [blown] in time, [be sounded] after death? Said by a beggar, who blew his horn when he was being carried away by a tiger, thus scaring the animal and saving his life.
This proverb is used to describe something that is not available when it is actually needed, making it useless later. It highlights that help, resources, or tools lose their value if they are not provided at the critical moment, just as a ceremonial trumpet is useless if it isn't played during the appropriate time of an event.