కులమింటి కోతి అయినా మేలు.
kulaminti koti ayina melu.
A monkey [ -like wife ] of good family is better [than a pretty wife of low origin ].
This proverb suggests that it is better to deal with someone familiar, even if they have flaws or are troublesome, rather than trusting a stranger. It emphasizes the comfort and safety found within one's own community, family, or social circle during times of need.
Related Phrases
కూటి కొసం కోటి విద్యలు.
kuti kosam koti vidyalu.
Ten million skills are all for earning one’s livelihood.
The purpose, by and large, of acquisition of diverse special skills is only to make a living.
చుట్టూ అయినా మెట్టదారి మేలు
chuttu ayina mettadari melu
Even if it is a detour, a dry path is better.
This proverb suggests that it is better to take a longer, safer, and more reliable route (or method) rather than a shortcut that is dangerous or difficult. It emphasizes choosing safety and certainty over speed.
వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
కులమింటి కోతైనా మేలు
kulaminti kotaina melu
Even a monkey from one's own community is better.
This proverb suggests that it is better to deal with someone from your own background or community, even if they have flaws or are troublesome, because there is an inherent understanding and shared social bond that might not exist with a stranger.
ఒంటి కంటే జంట మేలు
onti kante janta melu
A pair is better than being alone
This proverb emphasizes the value of companionship and cooperation. It suggests that two people working together or supporting each other is always better and more effective than a person acting alone. It is often used to encourage marriage, partnership, or teamwork.
అయ్యవారిని చేయబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyabote koti ayinatlu
Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.
This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
అయ్యవారిని చెయ్యబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyyabote koti ayinatlu
His attempt to make [an image of] Ganêśa ended in [the moulding of] a monkey. Mud images of Ganêśa are made and worshipped on the 4th day of the light fortnight in the month Bhâdrapada (August—September). A ridiculous failure.
This proverb describes a situation where one's well-intentioned efforts or ambitious plans go wrong, resulting in a ridiculous or unintended outcome. It is used when someone tries to improve something or create something great but ends up making it worse or spoiling it completely due to lack of skill or poor execution.
గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు.
guddi kanna mella melu.
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or partial is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Half a loaf is better than no bread' or 'Something is better than nothing.'
Of two evils choose the least.
కులం గుణంలేని రంభకన్నా, కులం వున్న కోతిమేలు.
kulam gunamleni rambhakanna, kulam vunna kotimelu.
A monkey with lineage and character is better than Rambha (a celestial beauty) without lineage or character.
This proverb emphasizes that character, values, and respectable background are more important than mere physical beauty or superficial attractiveness. It suggests that someone who may look plain but possesses good virtues is far superior to a beautiful person who lacks integrity or good qualities.