నిండు కుండ తొణకదు
nindu kunda tonakadu
A pot full wouldn’t spill.
The virtuous one would remain silent and wouldn’t make a show. It is only the empty vessels that make much noise.
True learning is humble. Empty vessels give the greatest sound. Deep rivers move in silence, shallow brooks are noisy.
Related Phrases
అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అడుగోటి కుండ, కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్త కుండ.
atta kottina kunda adugoti kunda, kodalu kottina kunda kotta kunda.
The pot broken by the mother-in-law was a cracked pot, the pot broken by the daughter-in-law was a new pot.
This proverb highlights double standards and hypocrisy in judgment. It describes a situation where the same mistake is viewed differently depending on who committed it. If someone in a superior position (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is dismissed as insignificant, but if a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) makes the same mistake, it is exaggerated and treated as a major offense.
తోలు తీయకనే తొనలు మింగేవాడు.
tolu tiyakane tonalu mingevadu.
One who swallows fruit without taking off the skin. A glutton.
This expression describes an extremely lazy or impatient person who wants the end results or benefits without putting in any effort or performing the necessary preliminary tasks. It is often used to mock someone who expects things to be handed to them on a silver platter.
పండు వొలిచి చేతిలో పెట్టినట్లు
pandu volichi chetilo pettinatlu
Like peeling a fruit and placing it in the hand
This expression is used to describe a situation where something is explained so clearly and simply that it requires no effort to understand. It is similar to the English phrase 'making it crystal clear' or 'handing it on a silver platter.'
కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్తకుండ, అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అతుకుల కుండ
kodalu kottina kunda kottakunda, atta kottina kunda atukula kunda
The pot the daughter-in-law broke was a new one; the pot the mother-in-law broke was a patched-up one.
This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and double standards in judging mistakes. It describes a situation where people exaggerate the mistakes of others (the daughter-in-law's mistake is seen as destroying something brand new) while making excuses for their own or their favorites' mistakes (the mother-in-law's broken pot is dismissed as having been old and already broken). It is used to point out unfair bias and blame-shifting.
కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్త కుండ, అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అడుగోటి కుండ.
kodalu kottina kunda kotta kunda, atta kottina kunda adugoti kunda.
The pot broken by the daughter-in-law is a new pot, while the pot broken by the mother-in-law is a worthless pot.
This proverb highlights double standards and hypocrisy in judging actions. It refers to how people often exaggerate the mistakes of others (the daughter-in-law) while minimizing or making excuses for their own or their favorites' mistakes (the mother-in-law).
కడుపునిండా గారెలు తింటే, వంటినిండా జ్వరము
kadupuninda garelu tinte, vantininda jvaramu
If you eat a bellyful of cakes, [you will get] a bodyful of fever.
This proverb warns about the consequences of overindulgence and greed. It suggests that excessive consumption of heavy or rich food leads to illness and physical suffering. It is used to advise moderation in eating habits and to highlight that momentary pleasure can lead to long-term discomfort.
ఎంత తొండమున్నా దోమ ఏనుగు కాదు
enta tondamunna doma enugu kadu
No matter how long its trunk is, a mosquito cannot become an elephant.
This expression is used to remind that imitation or having a single similar trait does not equate to having the actual stature, strength, or essence of another. It highlights that inherent nature and capability cannot be changed by superficial similarities or mere pretension.
ఇంటికి ఇల్లాలు కాదు, దొంతికి కుండ కాదు
intiki illalu kadu, dontiki kunda kadu
Neither a housewife for the home, nor a pot for the stack.
This expression is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or fails to serve any intended purpose. Just as a woman who doesn't care for the home isn't a true housewife, and a broken or ill-fitting pot cannot be part of a stack (donthi), a person who lacks utility in their designated role is described this way.
ఏకులు వడికినట్టూ కాదు, మొగుడి దగ్గర పడుకున్నట్టూ కాదు
ekulu vadikinattu kadu, mogudi daggara padukunnattu kadu
Neither like spinning cotton nor like sleeping with the husband
This proverb describes a state of indecision or lack of productivity where a person is caught between two tasks and ends up doing neither properly. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be busy but accomplishes nothing, or someone who fails to commit to either work or leisure, resulting in a waste of time.
ఊరినిండా అప్పులు, నోటినిండా పళ్ళు
urininda appulu, notininda pallu
A village full of debts, a mouth full of teeth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is drowning in debt but remains shamelessly cheerful or continues to grin as if nothing is wrong. It mocks the irony of having many liabilities while maintaining a facade of carefree happiness or showing off.