మంచివానికి ఒక మాట, మూర్ఖునికి ఒక చేట.
manchivaniki oka mata, murkhuniki oka cheta.
A word to a good man, [ a blow with ] a sieve for an obsti- nate blockhead.
This proverb highlights the difference in receptiveness to advice. A wise or good-natured person understands and corrects their behavior with just a simple word of advice. However, an obstinate or foolish person will not learn unless they are punished or dealt with harshly (metaphorically represented by a 'cheta' or winnowing basket). It is used to suggest that different people require different levels of persuasion or discipline.
A blow with a sieve, a broom, or a slipper is very degrading.
Related Phrases
రత్నాలన్నీ ఒక చోట, నత్తగుల్లలన్నీ ఒక చోట
ratnalanni oka chota, nattagullalanni oka chota
All the gems in one place, all the snails in another.
This expression is used to describe the segregation of people or things based on their quality, value, or character. It suggests that talented, virtuous, or high-quality entities naturally group together, while mediocre or useless ones form their own separate group. It is often used to comment on social circles or the classification of objects.
Like will to like.
మంచి వారికి ఒక మాట, మంచి గొడ్డుకు ఒక దెబ్బ
manchi variki oka mata, manchi godduku oka debba
One word to a good man, one stroke to a good bullock. A nod for a wise man, and a rod for a fool.
This proverb emphasizes that an intelligent or sensible person understands and acts upon a single word of advice or instruction, just as a disciplined ox responds to a single stroke. It is used to suggest that wise people do not need repeated warnings or explanations to do the right thing.
చేనికి వాక, రేనికి మూక.
cheniki vaka, reniki muka.
A canal for the field, a crowd for the king.
This proverb highlights the essential requirements for success or strength in different contexts. Just as a field requires a constant supply of water through a canal (vaaka) to thrive and yield crops, a king or leader requires a loyal following or a strong army (mooka) to maintain power and authority. It is used to describe the fundamental necessities of a particular situation.
మూడు మూరల ఒక చుట్టు, ముప్పై మూరల ఒక చుట్టు.
mudu murala oka chuttu, muppai murala oka chuttu.
Three cubits once round, thirty cubits once round [ the body ]. A woman on being given cloths of different lengths, complained in each case that the cloth would go only once round her body. Not to be satisfied.
This proverb refers to efficiency and laziness. It describes a situation where one person wraps a rope or cloth carefully in small, precise loops (three cubits), while another person, out of laziness or haste, wraps it in huge, messy loops (thirty cubits) just to finish the job quickly. It is used to criticize sloppy work done without attention to detail.
ఇంటింటికీ ఒక మట్టిపొయ్యి అయితే, మా ఇంట మరీ ఒకటి.
intintiki oka mattipoyyi ayite, ma inta mari okati.
Every house has an earthen fire-place, my house is still worse off. Acknowledging one's failings.
This proverb is used to convey that everyone has their own set of problems or flaws, and one's own situation is no exception—or perhaps even slightly more complicated. It highlights the universality of human struggles and domestic issues, suggesting that no household is perfectly free from trouble.
బాధకు ఒక కాలము, భాగ్యానికి ఒక కాలము.
badhaku oka kalamu, bhagyaniki oka kalamu.
A time for misfortune, a time for fortune.
This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.
ఏనుగుకు ఒక సీమ, గుర్రానికి ఒక ఊరు, బర్రెకు ఒక బానిసె.
enuguku oka sima, gurraniki oka uru, barreku oka banise.
To keep an elephant [ a man requires ] a country, to keep a horse a village, and to keep a she-buffalo a maid.
This proverb describes the specific resource requirements of different animals based on their status and size. It is used metaphorically to explain that every individual or entity needs an environment or support system proportionate to their scale or nature to thrive.
కుమ్మరికి ఒక ఏడు, గుదియకు ఒక పెట్టు
kummariki oka edu, gudiyaku oka pettu
One year to the potter, one blow to the cudgel. The cudgel destroys in one blow what has cost the potter a year's labour. The sudden loss of that gained by much labour.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the time and effort taken to create something versus how easily it can be destroyed. It is used to describe situations where long-term hard work is undone in a single moment of misfortune or a single careless act.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
In one hand turmeric, in the other hand a hood. Turmeric is much used on auspicious occasions such as marriages. Every woman, except she be a widow, also rubs it daily on her body before bathing. Musuku is the skirt of a woman's cloth thrown over the head ( by widows ) as a hood.
This expression is used to describe an extremely critical or dangerous situation where life and death are equally possible. It is often used in the context of high-risk medical procedures, difficult childbirths, or precarious battles, signifying that while one hand prepares for a celebration or recovery (turmeric), the other prepares for a funeral (shroud).
కట్టినవానికి ఒక ఇల్లు అయితే కట్టనివానికి వెయ్యి ఇళ్లు.
kattinavaniki oka illu ayite kattanivaniki veyyi illu.
A man that has built a house has one house, a man that has built no house has a thousand houses. A man without a house can change his residence as often as he pleases. He who has no house of his own is every where at home. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to highlight the freedom of choice and lack of burden that comes with not being tied down to a specific commitment or property. While a homeowner is restricted to their one house and its maintenance, a person who hasn't built or bought a home is free to live anywhere. It can also imply that someone without responsibilities has many options, whereas someone committed to a task is limited to that one path.