మాటకు ముందు ఏడ్చే మగవాణ్ణి, నవ్వే ఆడదాన్ని నమ్మరాదు
mataku mundu edche magavanni, navve adadanni nammaradu
Do not trust a man who cries before speaking, or a woman who laughs before speaking.
This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of people whose emotions seem performative or calculated. It implies that excessive emotional displays—like a man using tears to gain sympathy or a woman using laughter to mask her true intentions—can be signs of deceit or manipulation. It is used to advise someone to look beyond superficial behaviors when judging character.
Related Phrases
నవ్వే ఆడదాన్నీ ఏడ్చే మగాణ్ణీ నమ్మరాదు
navve adadanni edche maganni nammaradu
A laughing woman and a crying man should not be trusted.
This is a traditional proverb suggesting that certain behaviors might be deceptive or out of character. It implies that a woman who laughs excessively might be hiding her true intentions or lack seriousness, while a man who resorts to tears might be using them as a manipulative tactic rather than expressing genuine grief, as men were traditionally expected to be stoic.
సిగ్గులేని ముఖానికి నవ్వే అలంకారం
sigguleni mukhaniki navve alankaram
A laugh is the ornament of the face without shame. Hiding a blush with a simper.
This proverb is used to criticize people who lack a sense of shame or remorse. When such individuals are confronted with their mistakes or wrongdoings, they often try to brush it off with a smile or a laugh instead of feeling embarrassed. It suggests that for those without integrity, a fake smile is their only way to mask their flaws.
వస్తానన్నదాన్ని, ఇస్తానన్నవాణ్ణి నమ్మరాదు.
vastanannadanni, istanannavanni nammaradu.
Do not trust a woman who says she will come, nor a man who says he will give.
This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of empty promises. It highlights that intentions or verbal commitments regarding a woman's arrival or a man's generosity are often unreliable until they actually manifest. It is used as a cautionary advice against blind faith in words alone.
రాసేవాణ్ణి, కోసేవాణ్ణి, గీసేవాణ్ణి నమ్మకూడదు
rasevanni, kosevanni, gisevanni nammakudadu
One should not trust a writer, a butcher, and a toddy tapper.
This traditional proverb suggests caution when dealing with people in certain professions due to their ability to manipulate facts or situations. It refers to a writer's potential to alter records (the pen), a butcher's ease with violence (the knife), and a toddy tapper's deceptive practices or risky nature. It is generally used to advise someone to be wary of those who hold power through documentation or sharp tools.
కమ్మని, తుమ్మని నమ్మరాదు.
kammani, tummani nammaradu.
Do not trust a Kamma or a Thumma (Acacia) tree.
This is a historical folk saying or 'sameta' that warns of unpredictability. The literal comparison suggests that just as the Thumma tree is thorny and difficult to handle, one should be cautious in dealings. Note: Like many caste-based proverbs, this reflects historical social tensions or stereotypes and is used to describe situations where one should remain vigilant against potential deception or hidden 'thorns' in a situation.
ఆకు చుట్టను, ఆడదాన్ని నమ్మరాదు
aku chuttanu, adadanni nammaradu
One should not trust a hand-rolled cigar (chutta) or a woman.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb expressing a historical bias. It suggests that a leaf-cigar is unreliable because it can extinguish or burn unevenly at any moment, and metaphorically claims that a woman's mind is unpredictable or untrustworthy. It is used to caution someone against relying on things or people perceived as fickle.
ఇస్తానన్న వాణ్ణి, వస్తానన్న దాన్ని నమ్మరాదు
istananna vanni, vastananna danni nammaradu
Do not believe the man who says he will give, nor the woman who says she will come.
This proverb warns against relying on verbal promises or superficial assurances regarding material gain or romantic interest. It suggests that people often make empty promises to please others or to get out of a situation, and one should only believe actions rather than words.
వానకు ముందు ఉరిమినా, మాటకు ముందు ఏడ్చినా తుదముట్టదు
vanaku mundu urimina, mataku mundu edchina tudamuttadu
If it thunders before the rain or if one cries before speaking, it will not last/finish.
This proverb is used to describe situations that lack substance or perseverance. It suggests that a rainstorm preceded by excessive thunder often dissipates without much rain, just as a person who starts a conversation with tears often fails to convey their point effectively or complete their argument. It highlights that excessive show or premature emotion often leads to an unproductive end.
నవ్వలేనివారిని నమ్మరాదు
navvalenivarini nammaradu
One who cannot smile should not be trusted
This expression suggests that a person who lacks warmth, humor, or the ability to smile is often hiding their true nature or may be cold-hearted. It is used as a cautionary piece of advice to be wary of individuals who remain stoic or expressionless, as their intentions may be difficult to gauge.
ముందు పొయ్యే ముతరాచవాణ్ని, వెనక వచ్చే బోయవాణ్ని, పక్కన వచ్చే పట్రాతివాణ్ని నమ్మరాదు.
mundu poyye mutarachavanni, venaka vachche boyavanni, pakkana vachche patrativanni nammaradu.
You should not trust a Mutarâça man going in front of you, a Bôya man going behind you, or a Paṭrâti man going along side of you. The Mutarâças are "a tribe of Hindus, descendants from feudal tenants who were holders in black mail." (Brown.) The Bôyas are a tribe of hill men. The Paṭrâtis or Patras are a wandering tribe. Dangerous companions.
This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) that cautions people to be vigilant of their surroundings. Historically, it refers to specific communities known for hunting or guarding skills, suggesting that if they are positioned around you in these specific ways, they might be tracking or ambushing. In a modern context, it serves as a metaphorical warning to be wary of people's positions and intentions in a competitive or unpredictable environment.