మున్నూరు శిఖలయినా కూడ వచ్చునుగాని, మూడు కొప్పులు కూడ రాదు

munnuru shikhalayina kuda vachchunugani, mudu koppulu kuda radu

Translation

Three hundred Śikhas (i. e. men ) may come together, but three Koppus (i. e. women ) should not get together. Śikha is the top-lock worn by men and Koppu is a woman's chignon.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the difficulty of achieving harmony or agreement among women living together. It suggests that while a large group of men (represented by 'shikha') can coexist peacefully, even a small group of women (represented by 'koppu') often struggle to avoid conflict or disagreement due to varying opinions and temperaments.

Related Phrases

Truth may attract blame, but it will not lead to disgrace.

This proverb emphasizes that speaking the truth might lead to temporary criticism or accusations from others who are uncomfortable with it, but ultimately, the person remains honorable. It suggests that while one might be blamed for being blunt or honest, their character remains untarnished in the long run, unlike the shame that follows a lie.

Thirty-six loose hairs can come together, but three buns (braids) cannot.

This proverb is used to describe the difficulty of achieving harmony among women or strong-willed individuals in a single household. It suggests that while many men (represented by loose hair) might reach an agreement or coexist easily, even a small number of women (represented by tied buns/hairstyles) will have conflicting opinions or friction, making it hard for them to get along peacefully.

Even if there are five top-knots (men), there is no problem; but if three buns (women) gather, it is a ruin for the religion/order.

This proverb suggests that men can often coexist or work together without much drama, whereas a gathering of women (symbolized by hair buns) might lead to gossip, disagreements, or complications that disrupt the harmony of a group. It is used to caution against the potential for discord when a small group of people known for talking gather together.

You can see the depth of a well, but not the depth of the mind. No one can see into another further than his teeth. ( Danish. )

This proverb highlights that while it is easy to measure or understand physical and material things, it is impossible to truly know or measure a person's inner thoughts, intentions, or character. It is often used to advise caution when trusting people, as their outward appearance may not reflect their hidden motives.

One can bear being a widow, but one cannot bear being blamed (shamed).

This is a powerful traditional saying emphasizing that a person's reputation and honor are more important than any physical or social hardship. While widowhood (historically considered a great misfortune) is endurable, the burden of a false accusation or a stain on one's character is considered unbearable and worse than death or extreme misery.

If iron be broken it may be united, but if friendship be broken it cannot be healed. Broken friendship may be soldered, but never made sound. (Spanish.)

This proverb emphasizes the fragility of human relationships and emotions. While physical objects like iron can be repaired or welded back together after breaking, the trust and affection in a relationship, once shattered, can never truly be restored to its original state. It serves as a warning to be careful with one's words and actions to avoid hurting others deeply.

You may walk among snakes, but keep clear of Vaishnava priests.

This proverb is a satirical warning against religious hypocrites or fake godmen. It suggests that while the danger of a snake is predictable and can be managed, the deceptive nature and hidden agendas of those pretending to be holy are far more dangerous and difficult to navigate.

Three hundred male tufts can coexist, but three female buns cannot.

This traditional proverb suggests that while a large number of men (symbolized by 'shikha' or tufts) can work together or live in harmony, even a small number of women (symbolized by 'koppu' or hair buns) often find it difficult to coexist without conflict or disagreements. It is typically used to remark on domestic friction or the perceived difficulty of managing multiple women in a single household.

Three hundred men's hair tufts can come together, but three women's hair buns cannot.

This proverb highlights the difficulty of achieving harmony or cooperation among a small group of women compared to a large group of men. It is often used to describe situations where constant bickering or differences in opinion among a few women prevent a consensus or peaceful environment, suggesting that their temperaments or domestic rivalries are harder to reconcile than the collective will of many men.

Even crows do not touch the food of a goldsmith.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. It suggests that a person is so greedy or manipulative (traditionally associated with the stereotype of goldsmiths skimming off gold) that their food or wealth is considered cursed or tainted, to the point that even scavengers like crows would avoid it.