మంచి చేసిన ముంగిసకు మరణము సంభవించినట్టు
manchi chesina mungisaku maranamu sambhavinchinattu
Although it did a good act, death overtook the Mongoose. The Mongoose tore in pieces a snake which approached a sleeping child. The mother, who had been out, met the little animal covered with the blood of the snake and killed it, thinking it had killed her son.— ( See Telugu Selections 20th story. )
This expression refers to a story from the Panchatantra where a loyal mongoose kills a snake to protect a baby, but the mother kills the mongoose thinking it harmed the child. It is used to describe situations where a well-intentioned or noble act results in undeserved punishment, tragedy, or misunderstanding due to hasty judgment.
Related Phrases
మంచి చేసిన ముంగిసకు ముప్పు వచ్చినట్లు
manchi chesina mungisaku muppu vachchinatlu
Like the mongoose who did a good deed but met with danger.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's good intentions or helpful actions result in a misunderstanding or negative consequences for them. It originates from the Panchatantra story where a pet mongoose saves a baby from a snake, but is killed by the mother who mistakenly thinks the mongoose harmed the child.
చేసినంతా అనుభవించాలి
chesinanta anubhavinchali
One must experience/undergo all that one has done.
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that a person must face the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad. It is often used in a moral or karmic context to suggest that one cannot escape the results of their deeds.
స్నానానికి ముందు, సంభావనకు వెనుక ఉండకూడదు
snananiki mundu, sambhavanaku venuka undakudadu
One should not be first for a bath or last for a reward.
This proverb advises on social etiquette and common sense. Being the first to bathe (in a public or shared ritual setting) might mean dealing with cold water or unpreparedness, while being last for a 'Sambhavana' (a traditional monetary gift or honorarium) might mean the funds or gifts run out before your turn. It is often used to suggest that one should time their actions wisely to avoid inconvenience or loss.
గతించిన దానికి చింతించిన ఏల
gatinchina daniki chintinchina ela
Why worry about that which has already passed?
This expression is used to advise someone against dwelling on the past or mourning over things that cannot be changed. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'There is no use crying over spilled milk.' It encourages focusing on the future instead of wasting energy on past mistakes or misfortunes.
మంచివాడు మంచివాడంటే, మంచమంతా కంతలు చేసినాడు.
manchivadu manchivadante, manchamanta kantalu chesinadu.
When called a good man, he made holes all over the cot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of the praise or kindness shown to them. It refers to people who, when trusted or given freedom due to their 'good' reputation, end up causing damage or acting irresponsibly. It is used to caution against blind trust or to describe someone who lacks common sense despite being called 'good'.
కంచి అంత కాపురం గడ్డలు చేసినట్టు
kanchi anta kapuram gaddalu chesinattu
She made the family as large as Kanchi into clods. Said of a woman who by going astray brings disgrace upon the whole family.
This expression is used to describe a person who completely ruins or destroys a prosperous, well-settled family or business through sheer negligence, poor management, or bad habits. It signifies the transformation of a grand existence into rubble.
Kanchi is the celebrated town of Conjeveram. * Er hat die Henne für das Ei gegeben.
మంచి వానికి మరణమే సాక్షి.
manchi vaniki maraname sakshi.
Death is witness to a good man. A good man's character is borne testimony to, after his death. Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. " The memory of the just is blessed." Proverbs x. 7.
This proverb means that the true character and goodness of a person are fully recognized and validated by the world only after their death. It is often used to suggest that while people may overlook or criticize someone during their lifetime, their virtues are finally honored when they are gone.
మించినదానికి విచారించి ఫలం లేదు
minchinadaniki vicharinchi phalam ledu
There is no point in worrying about what is past.
This proverb is equivalent to 'don't cry over spilled milk'. It is used to suggest that once something has happened or a mistake has been made that cannot be undone, there is no use in feeling regret or sorrow about it; instead, one should move forward.
ఈ చేత చేసి ఆ చేత అనుభవించినట్టు.
i cheta chesi a cheta anubhavinchinattu.
Doing with this hand, and receiving the reward with that. Said of the certain result of either a good or bad deed. As you sow you shall reap. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
This proverb refers to the concept of 'Instant Karma'. It describes a situation where the consequences of one's actions (good or bad) follow almost immediately, without much delay. It implies that justice or results are delivered within the same lifetime or very quickly.
నేల విడిచి సాము చేసినట్లు
nela vidichi samu chesinatlu
Like practicing martial arts while leaving the ground.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone ignores the basic fundamentals or ground realities while attempting something ambitious. It highlights the futility or danger of acting without a solid foundation or ignoring the practical aspects of a task.