దుశ్చరణమే అపవాదానికి పెంపు
dushcharaname apavadaniki pempu
Bad conduct is the nourishment for ill-repute.
This proverb highlights that one's own bad behavior or improper actions are what fuel and increase a bad reputation or public scandal. It is used to advise that if one wants to avoid being slandered or talked about negatively, they must first ensure their own conduct is beyond reproach.
Related Phrases
గాడిద సంగీతానికి ఒంటె ఆశ్చర్యపడితే, ఒంటె అందానికి గాడిద మూర్ఛపోయిందట
gadida sangitaniki onte ashcharyapadite, onte andaniki gadida murchhapoyindata
When the camel was amazed by the donkey's singing, the donkey fainted at the camel's beauty.
This proverb is used to mock a situation where two incompetent or unattractive individuals flatter each other falsely. It describes a scenario of mutual admiration between people who lack the qualities they are praising in one another, highlighting hypocrisy or a lack of self-awareness.
ఉపకారానికి పోతే అపకారం వెంటవచ్చినట్లు
upakaraniki pote apakaram ventavachchinatlu
Like harm following a gesture of help
This proverb is used when a person's attempt to do a good deed or help someone results in unexpected negative consequences or trouble for themselves. It describes situations where kindness is met with ingratitude or accidental misfortune.
మంచి వానికి మరణమే సాక్షి.
manchi vaniki maraname sakshi.
Death is witness to a good man. A good man's character is borne testimony to, after his death. Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. " The memory of the just is blessed." Proverbs x. 7.
This proverb means that the true character and goodness of a person are fully recognized and validated by the world only after their death. It is often used to suggest that while people may overlook or criticize someone during their lifetime, their virtues are finally honored when they are gone.
ఉపకారానికి పోతే అపకారం వచ్చినట్లు
upakaraniki pote apakaram vachchinatlu
Like receiving harm when going to do a favor.
This expression is used when a person's good intentions or helpful actions result in an unexpected negative outcome or trouble for themselves. It describes a situation where someone tries to help others but ends up being blamed, criticized, or harmed in return.
పైరు మార్చిన పంట పెంపు
pairu marchina panta pempu
Changing the crop increases the harvest
This proverb highlights the benefits of crop rotation. It suggests that by rotating or changing the type of crop grown on a piece of land, the soil fertility is maintained and the yield is increased. In a broader sense, it can also be applied to life or business, suggesting that trying new methods or introducing variety can lead to better results.
ఆచారానికి అంతం లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆది లేదు.
acharaniki antam ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu.
There is no end to tradition, and no beginning to bad practices.
This proverb highlights that customs and rituals can be expanded infinitely, while improper or uncultured behaviors have no traceable origin or foundation. It is often used to comment on how people constantly add new rules to traditions or how bad habits seem to exist without any rhyme or reason.
కుక్కశ్చ పచ్చిగోడశ్చ దాటితే మళ్లిదాటితే రెడ్డిశ్చ రెడ్డిసానిశ్చ సహమూలం వినశ్యతః
kukkashcha pachchigodashcha datite mallidatite reddishcha reddisanishcha sahamulam vinashyatah
If a dog crosses a wet wall and recrosses, the Reddi and his lady with all the family perish. There was a certain stingy Reddi who paid nothing to the village priest ( Grāma Purohita ). On one occasion when the Reddi was making some additions to his house a dog jumped over a freshly built wall. The village priest, who happened to be present, determined to take advantage of this circumstance, simulated great consternation, and repeated the above sham Mantra. The Reddi was successfully taken in, and at his expense the priest performed expiatory burnt offerings, &c.
This is a humorous or satirical 'Sanskrit-style' verse (Sloka) in Telugu folklore used to mock superstitious beliefs or 'Muhurtas' (auspicious timings). It suggests that if a dog jumps over a wet (newly built) wall and then jumps back, the owners of the house will be ruined. In usage, it is often cited to poke fun at someone who invents or follows illogical and overly complex omens for trivial events.
పేదవానికి పెండ్లామే ఆస్తి
pedavaniki pendlame asti
For a poor man, his wife is his only wealth.
This proverb suggests that for someone with no material possessions or financial resources, a supportive and hardworking life partner is their greatest asset and source of strength. It highlights the value of companionship and family over material riches in times of poverty.
పులికి పారణం పశువుకు మారణం
puliki paranam pashuvuku maranam
A feast for the tiger is death for the cattle.
This proverb highlights a situation where one person's gain or pleasure results in another's suffering or loss. It is used to describe zero-sum games or exploitative situations where the benefit of the powerful inherently involves the destruction of the weak.
అరణంకంటే మరణమే మగవానికి శరణం
aranankante maraname magavaniki sharanam
Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.
This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.