కులానికి కులం తెగులు, నీటికి పాచి తెగులు

kulaniki kulam tegulu, nitiki pachi tegulu

Translation

Caste is a plague to its own caste, just as moss is a plague to water.

Meaning

This proverb highlights internal conflicts and self-destruction within a community. It means that the biggest threat or decay to a group usually comes from its own members, much like how moss originates from and eventually covers the water it grows in. It is used to describe situations where people harm their own kind.

Related Phrases

Answering back is a disease to speech, just as moss is a disease to water.

This proverb suggests that arguing or talking back incessantly ruins the quality of a conversation, much like how moss pollutes and spoils a body of water. It is used to advise against unnecessary arguments or being argumentative for the sake of it.

When black matures, it becomes white.

This expression is used to describe the aging process, specifically referring to how black hair eventually turns white as one gets older. It highlights the inevitability of aging and the transition into the senior stages of life.

Even Brahma is subject to the disease of desire/obsession.

This expression means that no one is immune to mistakes, obsessions, or the flaws of nature, regardless of their status or wisdom. 'Rimma Tegulu' refers to a persistent madness or an uncontrollable urge. It is used to suggest that even the most powerful or enlightened beings can succumb to certain weaknesses or complications.

Algae is the blight of water, back-talk is the blight of speech, and one's own community is the blight of the community.

This proverb highlights how things are often ruined by elements internal to them. Just as stagnant water grows algae, a conversation is ruined by argumentative retorts, and a community or family is often weakened by internal conflicts or sabotage from its own members rather than external forces.

Every human has an ailment in this world, O Vema!

Originating from Yogi Vemana's poems, this expression means that every person on earth has some flaw, obsession, or weakness. It is used to suggest that nobody is perfect and everyone deals with their own unique set of problems or character defects.

The cotton cleaner suffers from a respiratory ailment.

This proverb describes an occupational hazard or a situation where a person is affected by the very tools or materials they work with every day. It is used to point out that one often faces problems inherent to their own profession or lifestyle.

Word upon word spoils speech as weeds spoil water.

This proverb highlights that constant arguing or talking back ruins the quality of a conversation, just as algae/moss spoils the purity of water. It suggests that excessive talkativeness or being argumentative is a negative trait that hinders meaningful communication.

Moss is a disease for water; vanity is a disease for a woman.

This proverb suggests that just as moss spoils the purity and clarity of water, an obsession with makeup, vanity, or external appearance can ruin the character or integrity of a person. It is used to caution against excessive materialism or preoccupation with looks.

A white louse with the staggers.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person of very low status, importance, or capability puts on airs or suffers from problems usually associated with those of higher status. It highlights the irony of someone insignificant having an exaggerated or unlikely issue.

The Hindus' cure for the staggers is branding the flanks and legs with a ploughshare. Applied to measures quite out of proportion to the necessities of the case.

When asked to sit, the rear is diseased; when asked to eat, the mouth is diseased.

This expression is used to describe a person who makes constant excuses to avoid work or responsibility, yet claims inability even for things that benefit them just to be stubborn or lazy. It highlights the behavior of someone who is never cooperative, regardless of the situation.