కూత కరణము

kuta karanamu

Translation

A karaṇam to talk. A great talker but not good at his work.

Meaning

This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.

Related Phrases

There is no effect without a cause. Every why has a wherefore.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'Every effect has a cause' or 'Nothing happens without a reason.' It is used to explain that every action, event, or result is preceded by a specific motive or trigger. In a practical sense, it suggests that if something has occurred, there must be a logical explanation behind it.

There is a cause for all things. (Italian.)*

Cheapness causes extravagance. A good bargain is a pick purse. What is not needed is dear at a farthing. (Latin.)

This expression suggests that buying something just because it is cheap often leads to waste. It is used to advise people that low-quality or inexpensive items may not last long or may be unnecessary, eventually leading to more spending or loss than buying a quality item.

Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum

This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.

Too much intelligence causes crying, too little intelligence causes beatings.

This proverb highlights the irony of intelligence levels: being overly clever or sensitive often leads to emotional distress or overthinking, whereas having very little intelligence or common sense results in physical consequences or being bullied by others. It suggests that both extremes have their own disadvantages.

Little bird- loud cry.

One may be small in physical size, but one may be loud in speech. It is used both as a criticism of talkative person and as an appreciation of one whose achievements are higher than what one’s physical limitations would appear to permit.

* Un petit homme projette parfoia une grande ombre. ! Stakket Hund, kludet Ko, og liden Mand er gjerne hv modige.

It is for grazing (eating), not for lowing (shouting).

This proverb is used to describe a person who is very active when it comes to consuming or taking benefits but remains silent or inactive when it is time to work, speak up, or contribute. It highlights a selfish or lazy nature where one is present only for the 'eating' part and absent for the 'effort' part.

Writing, writing, a Karaṇam; coughing, coughing, death. By working we become workmen, ( Latin. )* Constant dropping wears the stone.

This proverb emphasizes how repetition and practice lead to mastery in a skill, while persistent neglect or chronic health issues lead to downfall. Just as continuous writing turns one into a proficient scribe (Karanam), a persistent, untreated cough eventually results in death.

Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.

This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.

One who cannot write becomes a harvest clerk, one who can neither write nor harvest becomes a grazing clerk.

This proverb is a sarcastic take on incompetence and nepotism. It describes how people who lack basic skills for a job are often shuffled into unnecessary or invented administrative roles ('clerk' positions) where they contribute nothing but still consume resources. It is used to mock bureaucracy or people who hold titles without having the actual capability to perform work.

A scribe for writing? Or a scribe for grazing?

This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).