మనసులోని మర్మం, నీళ్ళలోని లోతు ఎరుగలేము

manasuloni marmam, nillaloni lotu erugalemu

Translation

One cannot know the secrets of the mind or the depth of the water

Meaning

This expression highlights the inherent difficulty in truly understanding another person's hidden thoughts, intentions, or character, just as it is impossible to gauge the exact depth of water simply by looking at its surface. It is used to caution others that appearances can be deceiving and that human motives are often deep and complex.

Related Phrases

Like a nut in the nippers. Adakattu are nippers used for breaking Areca nuts. To be between the hammer and the anvil. (Franch.)

This expression is used to describe a person who is stuck in a difficult or tight situation, caught between two opposing forces with no way to escape. It is similar to the English idiom 'Between a rock and a hard place.'

The fire in the stomach is an invisible fire.

This expression refers to internal suffering, deep grief, or hidden jealousy that others cannot see. While physical fires are visible, the 'burning' one feels due to hunger, emotional pain, or envy is hidden from the world but deeply felt by the individual.

The face reveals the secret within the mind.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'The face is the index of the mind.' It implies that a person's true feelings, thoughts, and inner emotions are reflected in their facial expressions, even if they try to hide them.

A stone in the shoe, a gadfly in the ear, and constant strife in the house.

This expression lists three things that cause continuous, nagging discomfort and irritation that cannot be ignored. It is used to describe how domestic quarrels or internal family conflicts are as unbearable and persistent as the physical irritation of a stone in one's footwear or the buzzing of an insect in one's ear.

There is no medicine for the pain in the heart

This expression refers to emotional or mental suffering that cannot be cured by physical medication. It is used to describe deep sorrow, psychological distress, or the pain of a broken heart which requires time, change, or emotional healing rather than a physician's prescription.

Like a bag of money in a looking glass. Visionary prospects.

This expression refers to something that is visible but unattainable, or a promise that is illusory. Just as one can see the image of an offering or money in a mirror but cannot actually touch or spend it, it describes wealth or benefits that exist only on paper or in theory but cannot be used in reality.

We can see the depth of a well, but can we see the depth of a human mind?

This proverb highlights the complexity and unpredictability of human nature. While physical depths like a well can be measured or observed, it is impossible to truly know or measure what is hidden within a person's heart or thoughts. It is often used to express caution about trusting people's outward appearances or to remark on someone's surprising behavior.

The depth is not known until one enters (the water).

This expression means that one cannot truly understand the complexity or difficulty of a situation until they are personally involved or have started the task. It is used to advise against making superficial judgments or to explain that practical experience is necessary to grasp the reality of a problem.

Man learned words/speech to hide the secrets of his heart

This expression suggests that human language and sophisticated speech are often used as tools for deception or to conceal one's true intentions rather than just for communication. It implies that eloquence can be a mask for hidden motives.

A bit of straw in sherbet.

This expression is used to describe an unnecessary or annoying person or thing that interrupts an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious, smooth traditional sweet drink, and finding a tiny twig or splinter in it ruins the experience.