ముదలియారుకు ఏమున్నదంటే, ఒక గుట్టిపుబండి, ఇద్దరు ముండలు, ఇంత బుడ్డ అన్నాడు.
mudaliyaruku emunnadante, oka guttipubandi, iddaru mundalu, inta budda annadu.
If you ask what the Mudaliar has, he said: one bullock cart, two mistresses, and a hernia.
This is a satirical proverb used to mock people who take pride in useless, burdensome, or shameful possessions. It describes a man boasting about things that actually drain his resources or health (a cart to maintain, mistresses to support, and a medical condition) as if they were symbols of status. It is used to critique someone's misplaced priorities or false sense of prestige.
Related Phrases
ఇద్దరు పెద్దమనుషులు ఎదురుపడితే మూడు దారులు, ఒక పెద్దమనిషి ఇంకొక మూర్ఖుడు ఎదురుపడితే రెండు దార్లు, ఇద్దరూ మూర్ఖులైతే ఒకే దారి.
iddaru peddamanushulu edurupadite mudu darulu, oka peddamanishi inkoka murkhudu edurupadite rendu darlu, iddaru murkhulaite oke dari.
If two gentlemen meet, there are three paths; if a gentleman and a fool meet, there are two paths; if two fools meet, there is only one path.
This proverb highlights conflict resolution and ego. When two wise people meet, they find a middle ground or a new solution (3rd path). When a wise man meets a fool, the wise man steps aside, leaving his path and the fool's path (2 paths). When two fools meet, neither yields, resulting in a single-minded confrontation or collision on the same path (1 path).
ముదలియారి జంభం ఆముదానికి చేటు.
mudaliyari jambham amudaniki chetu.
The Mudaliar's vanity is a waste of castor oil.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts on a grand, vain display or acts with excessive pride, but the result is merely a waste of resources or effort. Historically, it refers to using large amounts of castor oil to light lamps for a pompous show that ultimately serves no productive purpose.
ఉద్దర అయితే నాకిద్దరు అన్నాడట.
uddara ayite nakiddaru annadata.
If it is for free, give me two, he said.
This proverb is used to mock people who are overly greedy or take undue advantage when something is offered for free. It describes a situation where someone wants more than they need simply because they don't have to pay for it.
నక్క పుట్టి నాలుగు వారాలు కాలేదు, ఇంత గాలివానా ఎన్నడూ చూడలేదు అన్నదట.
nakka putti nalugu varalu kaledu, inta galivana ennadu chudaledu annadata.
The fox hasn't even been born for four weeks, yet it said it has never seen such a storm.
This expression is used to mock someone who is very young or inexperienced but speaks as if they have a lifetime of wisdom and experience. It highlights the irony of a novice making authoritative or exaggerated claims about rarity or history.
దొడ్డినిండా గొడ్లు, ఇంటినిండా బిడ్డలు, ఇంకేమి కావలె ఇరకటానికి.
doddininda godlu, intininda biddalu, inkemi kavale irakataniki.
Cattle full in the backyard, children full in the house, what else is needed for suffering (congestion).
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone has many assets or family members but lacks the space, resources, or peace of mind to manage them. It highlights that having 'too much' of a good thing can lead to chaos, suffocation, or excessive hardship if not managed properly.
దొడ్డినిండా గొడ్డు, ఇంటినిండా బిడ్డలు, ఇంకేం కావాలి ఈ లోకానికి.
doddininda goddu, intininda biddalu, inkem kavali i lokaniki.
A backyard full of cattle, a house full of children, what else does one need for this world?
This proverb describes the traditional Indian definition of a prosperous and fulfilling life. In an agrarian society, having plenty of livestock (wealth) and many children (family legacy/support) was considered the ultimate form of success and happiness. It is used to express contentment with a simple yet abundant life.
చెట్టు ముందా విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్లు
chettu munda vittu munda annatlu
Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.
This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.
సుత్తె ముందా? కారు ముందా?
sutte munda? karu munda?
Was the hammer first, or were the tongs ?
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme confusion, circular logic, or a 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to the irony that a blacksmith needs a hammer to make pincers, but needs pincers to hold the metal to make a hammer. It is often used to mock someone who is confused about the order of operations or stuck in a paradox.
ఈడ్పుకాళ్ళవానికి ఇద్దరుభార్యలు, ఒకతె ఈడవ, ఇంకొకతె ఏడువ.
idpukallavaniki iddarubharyalu, okate idava, inkokate eduva.
A man who drags his feet has two wives; one to drag him and another to cry.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy, incompetent, or dependent. It suggests that such a person is a burden to everyone around them—one person has to constantly push or pull them to do anything, while another is left to lament their hopeless state. It highlights the frustration of those who have to support someone who lacks initiative.
అంతకు ఇంతయింది, ఇంత ఎంతవుతుందో, ఇంతకింతే.
antaku intayindi, inta entavutundo, intakinte.
It became this much from that much; who knows what this much will become; for this, only this much.
This expression is used to describe a situation that has grown or escalated unexpectedly from a small beginning. It reflects on the unpredictable progression of events and concludes that the current outcome is the inevitable result of the preceding actions.