నాగలి మంచిది కాకపోతే ఎడ్లేమి చేస్తాయి?
nagali manchidi kakapote edlemi chestayi?
If the plough is not good, what can the oxen do?
This proverb is used to describe situations where the underlying tools, system, or leadership are fundamentally flawed. It implies that even with hard-working individuals (the oxen), desired results cannot be achieved if the primary equipment or plan (the plough) is defective. It is used to shift focus from the workers' effort to the structural failure.
Related Phrases
నోరు మంచిదయితే ఊరు మంచిదవుతుంది
noru manchidayite uru manchidavutundi
If your words are good, the world will be good to you.
This expression emphasizes that if you speak politely and treat others with respect, the people around you will respond with kindness and support. It is used to teach that one's social environment is often a reflection of their own behavior and speech.
తన ముడ్డి కాకపోతే గంగదాకా దేకుమన్నట్టు.
tana muddi kakapote gangadaka dekumannattu.
If not on my posteriors, crawl as far as Kâsi (Benares).
This is a blunt and slightly vulgar proverb used to describe people who are indifferent to others' suffering or effort because it doesn't affect them personally. It highlights how people give reckless or difficult advice to others when they have no 'skin in the game' or when they don't have to face the consequences themselves.
మన బంగారము మంచిదయితే, కంసాలి యేమి చెయ్యగలడు?
mana bangaramu manchidayite, kamsali yemi cheyyagaladu?
If our gold be good, what can the goldsmith do ? The purest gold is the most easily tested, and a goldsmith cannot easily cheat with it. A good character is proof against slander.
This proverb suggests that if our own character or work is flawless, we do not need to fear others trying to cheat us or find faults. It is used to emphasize that self-integrity is the best defense against external criticism or deception.
అమ్మ మంచిదేకాని, తెడ్డు మంచిదికాదు.
amma manchidekani, teddu manchidikadu.
Mother is good, but her serving ladle is not.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is inherently kind or well-intentioned, but the resources they provide or the way they allocate things is insufficient or harsh. It specifically refers to how a mother loves her child, but when she uses the ladle (teddu) to serve food, the portions might be small or the discipline might be firm. It is applied to people who are good at heart but stingy or strict in their actions.
కంచె చేను మేస్తే, కాపు ఎవరు కాస్తారు?
kanche chenu meste, kapu evaru kastaru?
If the fence itself eats the field, who will be the guard?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person in a position of trust or authority, whose job is to protect something, ends up being the one who exploits or destroys it. It is commonly applied to corruption in leadership or betrayal by a protector.
అయితే ఆముదాలు, కాకపోతే కంది.
ayite amudalu, kakapote kandi.
If it happens, it's castor seeds; if not, it's pigeon peas.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is prepared for two possible outcomes, often in farming or business. Castor plants grow in low rainfall, while pigeon peas need more rain. It signifies a win-win strategy or a fallback plan where regardless of the circumstances, there will be some form of harvest or benefit.
కుడుము మంచిదైనా కడుపు మంచిది కాదు
kudumu manchidaina kadupu manchidi kadu
Even if the kudumu (steamed dumpling) is good, the stomach is not good.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something offered or available is excellent, but the recipient is unable to enjoy or utilize it due to their own limitations, health issues, or lack of capacity. It highlights that the quality of an external object doesn't matter if the internal condition is unfavorable.
విత్తు మంచిదయితే కాయా మంచిదగును
vittu manchidayite kaya manchidagunu
If the seed is good, the fruit will also be good
This proverb emphasizes that the quality of the origin or foundation determines the quality of the outcome. It is used to describe how good upbringing leads to good character, or how proper planning and high-quality inputs lead to successful results.
ఏమీ తోచకపోతే ఎక్కిరించాడట
emi tochakapote ekkirinchadata
When he had nothing else to do, he started mocking others.
This expression is used to describe someone who engages in silly, annoying, or unproductive behavior simply because they are bored or idle. It highlights that an idle mind often leads to mischief or pointless actions.
మొండికెత్తితే మొగుడేమి చేస్తాడు, బండకెత్తితే బావేమి చేస్తాడు.
mondikettite mogudemi chestadu, bandakettite bavemi chestadu.
If one becomes stubborn, what can the husband do? If one is placed on a stone, what can the brother-in-law do?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is extremely obstinate or refuses to cooperate. It implies that if a person decides to be unyielding or irrational (becoming 'mandi'), even those with authority or close relations cannot influence or help them. It highlights the helplessness of others when dealing with someone who is determined to be difficult.