కులికేదాన్ని పల్లకిలో పెడితే, ఒళ్లంతా చెడ కులికిందట

kulikedanni pallakilo pedite, ollanta cheda kulikindata

Translation

When a vain woman was placed in a palanquin, she swayed her body so much that she ruined her health.

Meaning

This proverb describes people who don't know how to behave when given a position of honor or luxury. Instead of being graceful, they overact or behave foolishly due to excessive pride or lack of character, eventually causing their own downfall or making themselves look ridiculous.

Related Phrases

Coming for daily wages but asking for a share in the property.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is hired for a small task or holds a subordinate position oversteps their boundaries and demands authority, ownership, or a share in the profits. It highlights the audacity of a person who forgets their actual status and expects more than what they are entitled to.

He came for hire, and asked for a share [in the business]. A cool request.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite having a very minor or temporary role in a task or organization, tries to claim ownership, authority, or a large share of the profits. It highlights the audacity of someone overstepping their boundaries.

Seeing a swan, a crow tried to walk with style and pride, only to stumble.

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to imitate someone more graceful, talented, or superior in status, but fails miserably and looks foolish in the process. It emphasizes that one should be natural and not try to copy others' innate traits.

When a daughter-in-law as small as an onion arrived, the mother-in-law hiding in the storage basket kept trembling with fear.

This proverb describes a situation where a person in a position of power or seniority is irrationally intimidated by a new, seemingly insignificant, or small arrival. It is used to mock those who are overly suspicious, insecure, or fearful of change or new competition, even when the 'threat' is tiny or harmless.

Born to the wind and raised in the dust.

This expression describes someone who grew up without any parental care, guidance, or proper upbringing. It is used to refer to people who are self-raised in neglectful conditions or things that have appeared and developed haphazardly without any formal foundation or supervision.

Even if something spills in a freshly cleaned house, it looks beautiful.

This expression is used to describe someone who is naturally talented or inherently good. It suggests that for a person with a good foundation or great skill, even their mistakes or accidents appear graceful and don't diminish their reputation.

Born of the wind, and reared up by the dust. Said by parents to an ungrateful son, or by a benefactor to an ungrateful dependant.

This expression refers to someone who grew up without proper care, guidance, or parental supervision. It is often used to describe a person who has become wayward or unrefined due to a lack of structured upbringing and support.

The daughter-in-law flaunts herself, while the mother-in-law shouts.

This proverb describes a domestic dynamic where one person (often the daughter-in-law) enjoys a relaxed or stylish lifestyle, while another person (the mother-in-law) is left with the stress, frustration, or the burden of managing things, often leading to constant complaining or yelling. It is used to highlight situations where one person's comfort causes another's irritation.

She entered her brother-in-law's bed just because a lizard chirped.

This proverb is used to describe people who use silly superstitions or trivial excuses as a justification to do something they already intended or desired to do. It mocks those who pretend that an omen forced their hand when they were actually looking for any small reason to act on their hidden motives.

It is better to die with grace/style than to die with arrogance.

This expression suggests that if one must face a downfall or an end, it is better to do so with dignity and elegance rather than through prideful behavior or agonizing over it. It is often used to comment on someone's attitude towards life's inevitable challenges.