నీళ్లు పల్లం చూపుతాయి, కన్నీళ్లు బాధ చూపుతాయి

nillu pallam chuputayi, kannillu badha chuputayi

Translation

Water shows the slope, tears show the pain.

Meaning

Just as water naturally flows towards low-lying areas or slopes, tears naturally reveal a person's underlying sorrow or distress. This expression is used to emphasize that emotions like grief cannot be hidden and will eventually manifest through tears, just as nature follows its own physical laws.

Related Phrases

The name is Kamalaxi (lotus-eyed), but the sight is that of a crow.

This proverb is used to describe a person whose character or actions do not match their beautiful name or outward reputation. It highlights the irony when someone with a noble name behaves in a mean, suspicious, or crooked manner, much like a crow's restless and sharp gaze.

He offers heaven in the palm of his hand. Deceiving by false hopes.

This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand, unrealistic promises or uses deceptive talk to create illusions of great success or prosperity. It refers to the act of fooling someone by making them believe something impossible is easily achievable.

Like adding cold water to hot water

This expression is used to describe a situation where a small amount of help or contribution is added to a larger effort. It signifies how even a minor assistance can complement or complete a task, much like how cold water helps bring boiling water to a usable temperature.

Cold water to hot water, hot water to cold water. The beneficial union of different dispositions.

This expression is used to describe mutual assistance or small contributions that complement each other. Just as mixing hot and cold water brings them to a comfortable temperature, it signifies how people help one another according to their capacity, or how small favors are returned to maintain balance in relationships.

Water flows towards water (downwards), does it flow uphill?

This proverb is used to illustrate that things naturally follow their inherent nature or predetermined path. It is often used in social contexts to suggest that people gravitate towards their own kind (wealthy towards wealthy, or relatives towards relatives) and that natural tendencies are difficult to reverse.

If the family members show a finger, outsiders will show a leg.

This proverb highlights that if you disrespect or expose the weaknesses of your own family members to others, outsiders will take it as an opportunity to treat them even worse. It is a warning to maintain family unity and dignity in public, as any internal crack allows others to exploit or insult the family more severely.

Cold water should be alongside hot water.

This expression suggests that opposites or different temperaments are needed to maintain balance. In a social or domestic context, it implies that if one person is hot-tempered (hot water), another person should be calm and patient (cold water) to prevent conflict and bring stability.

The beauty and prosperity of a village are revealed by its walls.

This expression suggests that the outward appearance or basic infrastructure of a place reflects its overall condition and the well-being of its inhabitants. In a broader sense, it means that first impressions or small details can reveal the internal state of a person, family, or organization.

Will you show me my grandfather or will you perform his funeral rites?

This expression is used to question someone's contradictory or unclear intentions. It highlights a situation where someone claims to offer a benefit (showing the grandfather) but their actions suggest a negative outcome (performing death rites). It is often used when someone's 'help' feels more like a threat or an unnecessary complication.

If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.

This proverb highlights that if family members disrespect or expose the weaknesses of their own kin, outsiders will feel emboldened to treat them with even greater contempt or cause more significant harm. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and loyalty in maintaining social standing.