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.
Related Phrases
సూదేటువాణ్ని, సుత్తేటువాణ్ని, కండేటువాణ్ని నమ్మరాదు.
sudetuvanni, suttetuvanni, kandetuvanni nammaradu.
You should not trust a needle-worker, a hammer-wielder or a bottom-thrower. i. e. a tailor, a blacksmith, or a weaver.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social prejudices against certain trades—specifically tailors (needle), blacksmiths/goldsmiths (hammer), and weavers (spindle). It implies that individuals in these professions were perceived as cunning or likely to cheat their customers by skimming off small portions of the material (cloth, metal, or thread) provided to them. In a modern context, it serves as a cautionary saying about being wary of professionals who have the opportunity to deceive in small, unnoticeable ways.
A hundred tailors, a hundred millers, and a hundred weavers are three hundred thieves. (Spanish.)* * Clen pastres, cien molineros, y cien texederos son tresientos ladrones.
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.
ముందు వచ్చిన చెవులకన్నా, వెనక వచ్చిన కొమ్ములు వాడి
mundu vachchina chevulakanna, venaka vachchina kommulu vadi
The horns which came last are sharper than the ears which came first. Said of a new comer wishing to usurp authority over his seniors.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a newcomer, junior, or younger person surpasses their senior or predecessor in skill, power, or success. It highlights that experience (age) doesn't always guarantee superiority over late-blooming talent or sharp ambition.
ముందు నడిచే ముతరాచువాణ్ణి, ప్రక్కన వచ్చే పట్రాతివాణ్ణి నమ్మరాదు
mundu nadiche mutarachuvanni, prakkana vachche patrativanni nammaradu
Do not trust a Mutaraju who walks in front of you, nor a Patrati who walks beside you.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social dynamics and specific behavioral observations. It serves as a cautionary saying about remaining vigilant and cautious of individuals' intentions based on their positioning or actions, implying that potential betrayal or deceit can come from those close to you or those leading you.
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.
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.
ముందు వచ్చింది ముత్తైదువ, వెనుక వచ్చింది వెధవ
mundu vachchindi muttaiduva, venuka vachchindi vedhava
The first one was a wife, the last one was a widow. i. e. the first died while her husband was alive, the last was degraded to the position of a widow. Old things are thought much of, new ones are not valued.
This expression is used to highlight the importance of being early or punctual. It implies that the first person to arrive or the first effort made receives respect and good fortune, while being late or secondary leads to misfortune or a lack of value. It is often used in situations where priority determines quality or status.
వ్రాసేవాడిని, కోసేవాడిని, గీసేవాడిని నమ్మరాదు.
vrasevadini, kosevadini, gisevadini nammaradu.
You should not trust a man who writes, cuts, or pares. i. e. a village accountant, a butcher, or a toddy-drawer.
This proverb warns against trusting individuals from professions historically associated with manipulation, cruelty, or deception. In this context: the 'writer' (clerk/accountant) could manipulate records, the 'butcher' deals in death/slaughter, and the 'toddy-tapper' could dilute drinks or manipulate measurements. It is generally used to advise caution when dealing with people whose livelihoods depend on cleverness or cold-heartedness.
Put a miller, a weaver, and a tailor in a bag and shake them, the first that comes out will be a thief.
వ్రాసేవాణ్ణి, కోసేవాణ్ణి, గీసేవాణ్ణి నమ్మరాదు.
vrasevanni, kosevanni, gisevanni nammaradu.
One should not trust the one who writes, the one who cuts, and the one who draws.
This traditional proverb suggests caution when dealing with three specific professions: the writer (clerk/accountant who can manipulate records), the cutter (butcher/barber who handles sharp tools), and the drawer (toddy tapper who climbs trees). It implies that their work involves inherent deceit or physical risk, making absolute trust dangerous.