లక్కవంటి తల్లి రాయివంటి బిడ్డ
lakkavanti talli rayivanti bidda
A mother like lac (sealing wax) and a child like stone.
This expression describes a situation where a mother is extremely soft-hearted, tender, and easily moved (like wax that melts), while her child is stubborn, unyielding, or emotionally hard (like a stone). It is used to highlight the stark contrast in temperaments between a sensitive parent and an insensitive or difficult child.
Related Phrases
కంటివంటి ప్రకాశం లేదు, మంటివంటి ఆధారంలేదు.
kantivanti prakasham ledu, mantivanti adharamledu.
There is no light like the eye, and no support like the earth.
This proverb highlights fundamental truths of existence. It means that physical sight (the eye) is the ultimate source of enlightenment/perception for an individual, and the earth (soil) is the ultimate foundation that sustains all life. It is used to emphasize the importance of vision and the basic necessity of nature.
తీగ లాగితే డొంకంతా కదిలినట్లు
tiga lagite donkanta kadilinatlu
If you pull the vine, the entire thicket moves.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a single action or a small clue leads to the discovery of a much larger, interconnected issue or a hidden network of events. It is similar to the English idiom 'pulling a thread' or 'opening a can of worms'.
కండెవంటి బిడ్డ అమ్మా అంటే కండెతెచ్చి పెట్టమని పడ్డాడట.
kandevanti bidda amma ante kandetechchi pettamani paddadata.
When someone said the child is as soft as a spindle of thread, the child started crying demanding that they be given the actual spindle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely literal-minded or childishly stubborn. It refers to a situation where a compliment or a metaphor is taken literally, leading to unnecessary demands or a fuss. It mocks the lack of common sense or the tendency to misinterpret figurative speech.
తల్లినిబట్టి బిడ్డ, నూలునుబట్టి గుడ్డ
tallinibatti bidda, nulunubatti gudda
Like mother, like child; like yarn, like cloth
This proverb suggests that a child's character and upbringing are reflections of their mother, just as the quality of a fabric depends on the quality of the yarn used. It is used to describe how heredity, environment, and parental influence shape a person's nature.
సిద్ధప్ప వంటి శిష్యుడూ లేడు, బ్రహ్మంగారి వంటి గురువూ లేడు, వేమన వంటి యోగీ లేడు.
siddhappa vanti shishyudu ledu, brahmangari vanti guruvu ledu, vemana vanti yogi ledu.
There is no disciple like Siddappa, no teacher like Brahmamgari, and no yogi like Vemana.
This expression is used to highlight the absolute pinnacle or ideal standard of a specific role. It honors the legendary bond between Guru (Potuluru Veerabrahmendra Swamy) and Shishya (Siddappa), as well as the profound philosophical contributions of Yogi Vemana. It is often cited to emphasize excellence, loyalty, and spiritual mastery.
కన్నొక్కటి లేదుకాని, కవాటం వంటి బిడ్డ.
kannokkati ledukani, kavatam vanti bidda.
Except for missing one eye, the child is like a strong door.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe something that is presented as perfect or high-quality but has a fundamental, fatal flaw that makes it useless. Just as a door with a hole (missing eye) cannot fulfill its purpose of providing security, the subject being discussed has a defect that outweighs all other positive attributes.
చల్లకుండకు చంటి బిడ్డకు చాటుండాలి
challakundaku chanti biddaku chatundali
The buttermilk pot and the infant child both need a covering.
This proverb emphasizes the need for protection and privacy for certain delicate or valuable things. Just as buttermilk can spoil if left exposed and a baby is vulnerable to the elements or 'evil eye,' some matters or assets should be kept discreetly to ensure their well-being.
రాముని వంటి రాజుంటే, హనుమంతుని వంటి బంటు ఉంటాడు
ramuni vanti rajunte, hanumantuni vanti bantu untadu
If there is a king like Rama, there will be a servant like Hanuman.
This expression highlights the reciprocal relationship between a leader and a follower. It suggests that a noble, just, and great leader (like Lord Rama) will naturally inspire and command the absolute loyalty, dedication, and strength of an extraordinary subordinate (like Hanuman). It is used to imply that the quality of a team or worker often reflects the quality of their leadership.
వెలిగొండ వంటి తండ్రి కంటే, ఏకులబుట్ట వంటి తల్లి మేలు.
veligonda vanti tandri kante, ekulabutta vanti talli melu.
A mother who is like a basket of cotton is better than a father who is like a silver mountain.
This proverb highlights the depth of maternal love and care. Even if a father is as grand, wealthy, or strong as a mountain (Veligonda), a mother—even if she is poor or fragile like a small basket of cotton—is considered more valuable and beneficial to a child because of her nurturing nature and constant presence.
రాముడి వంటి దేవుడు, రావణుడి వంటి రాక్షసుడు లేడు
ramudi vanti devudu, ravanudi vanti rakshasudu ledu
There is no god like Rama, and there is no demon like Ravana.
This expression is used to describe the extremes of character or quality. It highlights that Rama represents the absolute pinnacle of virtue and divinity, while Ravana represents the ultimate level of villainy and ego. In a broader sense, it is used to compare someone to the best or worst of their kind.