మంత్రంలో పసలేకపోయినా తుంపర్లకు తక్కువలేదు.

mantramlo pasalekapoyina tumparlaku takkuvaledu.

Translation

Even if there is no power in the chant, there is no shortage of spit.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's actions or words lack substance, quality, or effectiveness, yet they are accompanied by a lot of unnecessary noise, fuss, or superficial display. It is often applied to people who talk grandly or perform elaborate rituals without achieving any real results.

Related Phrases

Too small for a head-cloth and too large for a loincloth.

This expression is used to describe something that is of an awkward size or quality—too little for a significant purpose but too much for a trivial one. It refers to a person or thing that is caught in the middle, being neither here nor there, and therefore practically useless or difficult to categorize.

Even if one doesn't have the worth of a thorn in a bull's foot, there is no lack of bossing over seven villages.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks any real capability, substance, or worth, yet constantly tries to exert authority or interfere in others' affairs. It mocks someone who acts like a leader despite having zero credentials or value.

Low intelligence, high hunger.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or productivity but has excessive demands or needs. It highlights a mismatch between one's capabilities and their consumption or expectations, often used sarcastically to mock laziness or incompetence combined with greed.

The beauty of his slobberings, not of his mantras.

This expression is used to describe someone who talks excessively or makes a lot of noise but produces no actual results or substance. It refers to a situation where there is much ado about nothing, or when someone's actions are just a superficial display without any real skill or efficacy.

Even if there is no power in the mantra, there is no shortage of spit droplets.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks real substance, skill, or power in their work but makes a lot of noise or puts on a big show. Just as a priest might not know the actual hymns (mantras) but spits a lot while chanting, it refers to situations where the external display is excessive while the core quality is missing.

Like shouting 'thief' when there is no substance or truth in the first place.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a loud commotion or accusation to hide their own lack of merit, substance, or capability. It refers to creating a diversion or putting up a front when one is actually empty or in the wrong.

Few mantras, more spitting.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks a lot or makes a great show of doing something but produces very little result or lacks the actual skill. It refers to a priest who, instead of reciting the sacred hymns (mantras) properly, ends up spitting more while shouting loudly. It is often applied to people who substitute substance with empty noise or unnecessary actions.

Are stories/excuses lacking for those who go to the fortune-teller?

This expression is used to describe people who come up with many excuses, stories, or elaborate explanations to justify their actions or cover up their mistakes. Just as a fortune-teller (Gadde) has an endless supply of predictions and tales to tell a client, a person who is making excuses will always have another story ready.

If Brahmâ wishes, will there be any lack in the length of your days? If the husband wishes, will there be any lack of blows?

This is a sarcastic or cynical proverb used to describe a situation where someone has absolute power or authority to inflict something—either positive or negative. Just as Lord Brahma (the creator) can grant infinite life, a dominant or abusive person can provide an endless supply of trouble or punishment if they set their mind to it. It highlights the inevitability of consequences when someone in power is determined to act.

Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?

This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.