నవ్వ చెప్పేవాడు చెడ జెప్పును, యేడవ చెప్పేవాడు బ్రతక చెప్పును.
navva cheppevadu cheda jeppunu, yedava cheppevadu brataka cheppunu.
He who speaks to make you laugh, speaks to your ruin; he who speaks to make you weep, speaks to your profit. A friend's frown is better than a fool's smile.
This proverb highlights the difference between a sycophant and a true well-wisher. Someone who always tells you what you want to hear (making you laugh/happy) might be leading you toward a downfall by ignoring your mistakes. In contrast, a true friend or mentor who criticizes you or tells you harsh truths (making you cry/sad) actually helps you improve and succeed in life.
Related Phrases
శ్రీరంగనీతులు చెప్పేవారేగాని, చేసేవారు లేరు.
shriranganitulu cheppevaregani, chesevaru leru.
There are many who preach the morals of Srirangam, but none who practice them.
This expression is used to describe hypocrites who give lofty moral advice to others but fail to follow it themselves. It is similar to the English proverb 'Practice what you preach' or 'Do as I say, not as I do.' It highlights the gap between words and actions.
చెప్పుడు మాటలు చేటు.
cheppudu matalu chetu.
Listening to hearsay leads to ruin.
This expression warns against acting upon rumors or gossip without verification. It suggests that paying heed to malicious talk or the instigations of others will ultimately lead to one's own downfall or harm.
శ్రీరంగ నీతులు చెప్పేవారే కానీ చేసేవారు లేరు
shriranga nitulu cheppevare kani chesevaru leru
There are many who preach the morals of Srirangam, but none who practice them.
This expression is used to describe hypocrites who give great moral lectures or advice to others but fail to follow those same principles in their own lives. It highlights the gap between preaching and practicing.
తుమ్మ తమ్మడై చెప్పును.
tumma tammadai cheppunu.
A sneeze warns you as a younger brother. On the commencement of an undertaking, if any one sneezes it is con- sidered a bad omen.
This proverb is used to emphasize that even if there are no human witnesses to a crime, nature or inanimate objects will eventually testify against the wrongdoer. It serves as a warning that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions because evidence will emerge from the most unexpected places.
అడిగే వాడికి చెప్పేవాడు లోకువ.
adige vadiki cheppevadu lokuva.
For the one who asks, the one who answers seems inferior in status.
It is easier to put questions than to answer them. It is therefore necessary to be considerate to others and raise only genuine doubts for proper clarification.
కట్టిన ఇంటికి వంకరలు చెప్పేవారు వెయ్యిమంది
kattina intiki vankaralu cheppevaru veyyimandi
There are a thousand people to point out defects in a house already built.
This proverb is used to describe how people find it easy to criticize or find faults in a completed task, even though they did not contribute to the effort. It highlights the human tendency to offer unsolicited advice or pinpoint mistakes after the hard work is done.
కట్టిన ఇంటికి వంకలు చెప్పేవారు వెయ్యిమంది
kattina intiki vankalu cheppevaru veyyimandi
Those who criticize the design of a built house are a thousand. He that buildeth upon the highway hath many advisers. ( Dutch. )* Every fool can find faults that a great many wise men can't remedy.
This proverb is used to describe how easy it is for others to criticize or find faults in a project or task once it has been completed, despite not contributing to the effort themselves. It highlights that critics are plentiful, while workers are few.
* Die aan den weg timmert, heeft veel berechts.
చెప్పలు ఉన్నా చెప్పులు తెగినా చుట్టరికం తప్పదు
cheppalu unna cheppulu tegina chuttarikam tappadu
Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.
This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.
చెప్పుడు మాటలు చేటు.
cheppudu matalu chetu.
Listening to gossip leads to ruin.
This proverb warns that paying attention to hearsay, rumors, or others' manipulative talk without verifying the facts will eventually lead to harm or disaster. It is used to advise someone to be wary of people who try to influence them with gossip.
మందికి చెప్పాను కానీ, మనకు చెప్పానా?
mandiki cheppanu kani, manaku cheppana?
I told the crowd, but did I tell myself?
This expression is used to describe a person who gives advice to everyone else but fails to follow that same advice in their own life. It highlights hypocrisy or the gap between preaching and practicing, similar to the English idiom 'Practice what you preach.'