నీరెంత పోసి పెంచినా నేలవేము కూరకాదు

nirenta posi penchina nelavemu kurakadu

Translation

No matter how much water you pour to grow it, the Kalmegh plant (Andrographis paniculata) will never become a vegetable.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe an inherent nature that cannot be changed by external efforts or favorable conditions. Just as the extremely bitter 'Nela-Vemu' plant cannot turn into a tasty vegetable regardless of how well it is nurtured, a person's fundamental character or a thing's intrinsic property remains the same.

Related Phrases

Even if you water a neem tree with milk, its bitterness will not go away.

This proverb describes the innate nature of people or things. It suggests that a person's fundamental character or a thing's inherent quality cannot be changed, no matter how much kindness, education, or resources are provided. It is typically used to remark on someone who remains wicked or ungrateful despite being treated very well.

Although you feed a snake with milk, it will not refrain from biting you.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an inherently evil or ungrateful person will eventually cause harm, regardless of how much kindness, care, or help you provide them. It suggests that one's true nature cannot be changed by external kindness.

Like feeding milk and raising a snake.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone helps or nurtures a person who is inherently dangerous or ungrateful, and who will eventually turn around and harm their benefactor. It serves as a warning against trusting or aiding individuals with a malicious nature.

Age is crunchy, duck is crunchy.

This expression is used to describe the vigor and energy of youth. It implies that during one's prime age, even a tough or 'crunchy' meat like duck can be easily digested and enjoyed. It signifies that everything seems favorable and manageable when one is young and healthy.

You can raise a snake by feeding it milk, but you should never trust a woman.

This is a traditional, albeit misogynistic, Telugu proverb used to caution against placing absolute trust in a woman's intentions or loyalty. It suggests that even the most dangerous creature (a snake) is more predictable than the nature of a woman. It is often cited in old literature or dramatic contexts to warn about betrayal.

A mother must nurture, the earth must nurture; will strangers ever nurture?

This proverb emphasizes that genuine care, patience, and nourishment can only be expected from one's own mother or Mother Nature (the land). It suggests that outsiders or strangers will never have the same selfless commitment or 'protective' instinct toward someone else's growth as a parent or the earth does. It is often used to highlight the importance of roots and maternal care.

Even if you feed a snake milk, its venom will not disappear.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is inherently wicked or malicious. It implies that no matter how much kindness, care, or nurturing you provide to someone with an evil nature, they will still retain their original bad character and may eventually harm you.

Even if you nurture a strychnine tree by pouring milk, its poison will not disappear.

This proverb is used to describe a person whose inherent evil or wicked nature cannot be changed, no matter how much kindness, education, or good treatment they receive. Just as a poisonous tree remains toxic despite being watered with milk, some people's core character remains unchanged by external goodness.

Even if you grow a Strychnine tree by pouring honey, its poison will not leave.

This proverb means that a person's inherent nature or character cannot be changed, regardless of how much kindness you show them or how well you treat them. It is used to describe individuals who remain wicked or ungrateful despite receiving great benefits or positive influence.

Even if you nourish a snake with milk, it will not stop biting.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is inherently wicked or ungrateful. It suggests that even if you treat someone very well or show them extreme kindness, their true negative nature will eventually reveal itself and they may still harm you.