మందబలం చూసి కుక్క మొరుగుతుంది.
mandabalam chusi kukka morugutundi.
Seeing the strength of the pack, the dog barks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person acts brave or aggressive only because they have the support of a group or a crowd behind them. It highlights that their courage is not innate, but rather derived from numerical superiority.
Related Phrases
ఏనుగును చూసి కుక్కలు మొరిగినట్టు
enugunu chusi kukkalu moriginattu
Like dogs barking at an elephant.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where small-minded or insignificant people criticize or mock someone far superior or powerful. It implies that the superior person (the elephant) is unaffected by the noisy, futile criticisms (the barking dogs) and continues on their path with dignity.
తొడబలం ఉంటే తొంబై మంది ఉన్నట్లు
todabalam unte tombai mandi unnatlu
Having strength in one's thighs is like having ninety people with you.
This expression emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and physical or inner strength. It suggests that if an individual is personally strong and capable, they possess the power equivalent to a large group (ninety people), implying that personal grit is superior to relying on others.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండి పడుతుంది, తిండిబడితే పండపడుతుంది
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindi padutundi, tindibadite pandapadutundi
If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.
This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.
కులట బిడ్డ కొడుకవుతాడా, మెరుపుతీగ దీపమవుతుందా?
kulata bidda kodukavutada, meruputiga dipamavutunda?
Will the child of a promiscuous woman become a son, will a streak of lightning become a lamp?
This is an old proverb used to express that certain things are inherently unreliable, unstable, or temporary by nature. Just as a flash of lightning cannot serve as a steady source of light for a home, something born out of instability or lack of character cannot be expected to fulfill a permanent, dutiful role. It is used to caution against relying on things or people that lack a solid foundation or integrity.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండబడుతుంది, తిండబడితే పండబడుతుంది.
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindabadutundi, tindabadite pandabadutundi.
If the sun gets hot, he will have to stay; if he stays, dinner will have to be cooked for him; if it is cooked, it will have to be eaten; and if he eats it, he will have to lie down.
This is a rhythmic folk saying that describes the essential cycle of agrarian life and food security. It highlights that proper preservation (drying crops) leads to a stable supply (storage), which ensures sustenance (cooking and eating) and ultimately leads to contentment and rest (sleep/prosperity). It is often used to emphasize the importance of the first step in a process to ensure the final result.
The muttered grumblings of a stingy host.
మక్కాకు పోయి కుక్క మలము తెచ్చినట్టు
makkaku poyi kukka malamu techchinattu
Going to Mekka and bringing back dog's dirt.
This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a great or sacred journey (or takes on a significant opportunity) but returns with something worthless or engages in something trivial and disgraceful. It highlights the irony of wasting a valuable opportunity or a holy pilgrimage by focusing on or bringing back something foul.
కుక్కను అందలములో కూర్చుండబెట్టిన, అమేధ్యమును చూచి దిగవురికినట్లు
kukkanu andalamulo kurchundabettina, amedhyamunu chuchi digavurikinatlu
If you seat a dog in a palanquin, it will still jump down at the sight of filth.
This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot change their inherent base nature or low-minded habits, no matter how much wealth, status, or dignity is bestowed upon them. It highlights that external elevation does not change internal character.
కన్నుచూచి కాటుక, పిట్టచూచి పీట.
kannuchuchi katuka, pittachuchi pita.
Applying mascara after seeing the eye; placing a seat after seeing the bird.
This expression refers to performing an action or making a decision based on the specific context, status, or capacity of the person involved. It suggests that one should offer resources, respect, or tasks in proportion to the individual's merit or needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
కార్తి మూల మెరుపు కార్తీకు బలం
karti mula merupu kartiku balam
Lightning in the Moola star phase gives strength to the Kartika month.
This is an agricultural proverb (Sameta). It suggests that if there is lightning during the Moola Nakshatra (star phase), it indicates favorable weather conditions and a bountiful harvest for the following Kartika season, strengthening the prospects for farmers.
అదును చూచి పొదలో చల్లినా పండుతుంది
adunu chuchi podalo challina pandutundi
If sown at the right time, even seeds cast in a bush will yield a harvest.
This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of timing and opportunity. It suggests that when the conditions are perfect or the timing is right, success can be achieved even with minimal effort or in less-than-ideal circumstances. It is used to advise someone to wait for the opportune moment before taking action.