ముందు నడిచే తప్పు మూలనుంటే, వెనుక చేసిన తప్పు మంచం కాడికి వచ్చినట్లు.

mundu nadiche tappu mulanunte, venuka chesina tappu mancham kadiki vachchinatlu.

Translation

If a mistake made in the past is hiding in the corner, a mistake made later will follow you all the way to your bed.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where past errors or secrets eventually catch up with a person, often at the most inconvenient or personal moment. It emphasizes that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions, as they will eventually manifest and confront the individual directly.

Related Phrases

The one who arrived first has three husbands, while the one who arrived later has pregnancy cravings.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an experienced person or someone who arrived early is neglected or treated with indifference, while a newcomer or a later arrival receives excessive attention, special treatment, or pampered care. It highlights the irony of human nature where novelty is often valued over experience or seniority.

The widow neither dies nor does her menstrual cycle stop.

This proverb is used to describe a persistent, annoying problem or a person who remains a constant nuisance without any resolution. It refers to a situation that is stuck in a stagnant, unpleasant state where there is neither an end to the trouble nor any relief from the daily difficulties associated with it.

One's own mistake is not a mistake, one's own child's mischief is not mischief

This proverb highlights human nature's inherent bias and hypocrisy. People often justify or overlook their own faults and the misbehavior of their loved ones while being quick to judge or criticize the same actions in others. It is used to point out partiality and the lack of objective self-reflection.

Like the mongoose who did a good deed but met with danger.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's good intentions or helpful actions result in a misunderstanding or negative consequences for them. It originates from the Panchatantra story where a pet mongoose saves a baby from a snake, but is killed by the mother who mistakenly thinks the mongoose harmed the child.

Taking a loan to eat lentil rice.

This expression is used to describe a person who lives beyond their means or spends borrowed money on luxuries and comforts instead of being frugal. It highlights the short-sightedness of enjoying life through debt.

Debt is danger

This proverb serves as a warning about the risks associated with borrowing money. It implies that being in debt brings unforeseen troubles, stress, and potential ruin to one's life. It is used to advise people to live within their means and avoid financial liabilities.

One who has committed a mistake and one who has taken a loan cannot show their faces.

This proverb highlights the guilt and shame associated with wrongdoing or being in debt. Just as a person who has committed a crime or mistake avoids eye contact out of guilt, a person who owes money feels a similar sense of inferiority or hesitation to face their creditor. It is used to describe the loss of confidence and social standing that comes with debt or moral failure.

When someone is being kicked on the back, they say there is a noise behind the house.

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide an obvious humiliation or an insult by pretending it is something else or by attributing it to an external, unrelated cause. It highlights a face-saving act where one attempts to ignore a direct attack or failure by acting oblivious to the reality of the situation.

Sweet talks in the front, claps (mockery) behind the back.

This expression is used to describe people who speak very pleasantly and flatteringly to your face, but criticize, mock, or gossip about you as soon as you are gone. It highlights hypocrisy and two-faced behavior.

Even if you dream as if you are dead, you must wake up eventually.

This proverb is used to emphasize that no matter how deep an illusion, an escape, or a terrible situation may be, one must eventually return to reality and face the facts of life. It highlights the inevitability of facing the truth.