నక్క పుట్టి నాలుగు వారాలు కాలేదు, ఇంత గాలివానా ఎన్నడూ చూడలేదు అన్నదట.

nakka putti nalugu varalu kaledu, inta galivana ennadu chudaledu annadata.

Translation

The fox hasn't even been born for four weeks, yet it said it has never seen such a storm.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

When asked 'Oh Lord, how much longer?', he replied 'Haven't you seen the priest?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a solution or an end to a struggle depends on a middleman or an intermediary rather than the primary authority. It implies that while God (the higher power) might be willing to grant a wish, the priest (the person in charge of the process) is the one causing the delay or expecting something in return. It highlights bureaucratic hurdles or the greed of subordinates.

If so many masters/rich people haven't died, why would I die? I am in no hurry either, he said.

This proverb is used to mock someone who foolishly procrastinates or avoids responsibility by observing that others haven't done it yet. It highlights a false sense of security or laziness where a person justifies their inaction or lack of urgency by pointing at others who are equally stagnant, even when the task or situation is inevitable.

When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

No effort was put in then, and no worry is felt now.

This proverb describes a state of total negligence or lack of foresight. It is used to describe a person who did not take action or plan during the appropriate time (the past) and consequently feels no regret or concern about the failure in the present. It often implies a sense of indifference toward one's responsibilities.

When told the granary is being looted, he said, 'Just make sure the partner doesn't get a share.'

This proverb describes a person with a spiteful or self-destructive mindset. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy or rivalry that they would rather see their entire property or business destroyed than let their partner or rival get a single piece of it. It is used to criticize petty behavior where one loses everything just to spite another.

If so many great people don't die, shall I alone die? I don't want it.

This is a humorous proverb used to describe people who blindly follow others even in illogical situations, or those who display a 'sour grapes' attitude. In the story behind the proverb, a poor man thinks dying is a luxury or a requirement that even the rich aren't fulfilling, so he refuses to 'participate' in it. It highlights foolish competitiveness or a lack of understanding of natural laws.

Said by a man when unwillingly refusing to eat something because Velamas did the same. Never be ashamed to eat your meat. He that is ashamed to eat is ashamed to live. ( French. )*

There is no need to touch and check every grain to see if the rice is cooked.

This expression is used to convey that one does not need to examine every single part of a whole to judge its quality or status. A small sample is often enough to represent the entire situation. It is commonly used in contexts like judging a person's character from a single action or a book's quality from a few pages.

The tongue without nerves goes all ways. When the conscience is dead, moral restraint disappears.

This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent or unreliable in their speech. Since the tongue is flexible (boneless), it can easily twist the truth, make false promises, or change versions of a story to suit the situation. It serves as a warning not to trust everything someone says blindly.

Neither on that day did I put it on, nor on this day have I torn it.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is consistently lazy, indifferent, or irresponsible. It refers to a person who didn't take the effort to wear/tie a garment properly in the past and doesn't bother about it being torn or ruined in the present. It characterizes a state of having no cares, no progress, and no sense of responsibility regardless of the time or situation.

Said by a poor fellow who had never had the pleasure of putting on a good cloth or the annoyance of tearing it.

I was never rich one day and poor another.

This proverb describes a person who has been consistently useless or unsuccessful throughout their life. It refers to someone who lacked stability or foundation in the past ('nadu') and shows no progress or elevation in the present ('nedu'). It is often used to critique someone's lack of growth or contribution over a long period.

Said by a man who had not experienced the ups and downs of fortune, but had remained in a mediocre state throughout his life.