ఒక ఇంచుక ముల్లయినను పాదతలముననున్న నడువనగునే

oka inchuka mullayinanu padatalamunanunna naduvanagune

Translation

If even a tiny thorn is stuck in the sole of the foot, is it possible to walk?

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that even a very small problem or obstacle, if ignored or present in a crucial spot, can hinder progress or cause significant discomfort. It is used to suggest that minor grievances or errors should be addressed before attempting to move forward with larger tasks.

Related Phrases

One who says 'who am I to know everything' is wise, while one who claims to know everything earns blame.

This expression highlights the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. It suggests that a person who acknowledges their limitations and the vastness of knowledge is respected, whereas a person who boastfully claims to know everything eventually makes mistakes or faces criticism when their ignorance is exposed. It is often used to advise someone to remain humble about their skills or knowledge.

A dog's tail is crooked; it said it won't change its nature.

This expression is used to describe a person who refuses to change their inherent bad habits or character, regardless of how much advice they receive or how much effort is made to reform them. It is similar to the English proverb 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.

God gave two each to hear and to see, but gave only one to speak.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of listening and observing more than speaking. Since we are physically equipped with two ears and two eyes but only one mouth, it implies that a wise person should be twice as observant and attentive as they are talkative. It is used to advise someone to be thoughtful and cautious with their words.

She said she was crying for 'Nandu'.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be sad or upset for a noble reason, while their true motive is hidden or entirely different. It highlights hypocrisy or deceptive behavior.

What is destined to happen will not stop, what is destined to come will not fail to arrive.

This expression is used to convey a sense of fatalism or destiny. It suggests that future events are inevitable and that worrying about them is futile because whatever is meant to happen will happen regardless of human intervention.

Became a porcupine quill in the house

This expression is used to describe a person who enters a group or a household and causes constant friction, disputes, or divisions among the members. Just as a porcupine quill is said to cause irritation or bad luck in a home according to folklore, this refers to someone whose presence is destructive to harmony.

That which is destined to come will not fail to come; that which is destined to go will not fail to go.

This expression is used to convey a sense of fatalism or acceptance of destiny. It suggests that certain events in life are inevitable, whether they involve gains or losses, and one should remain equanimous because human effort cannot alter what is preordained.

When Gūṭāla Pōli was told to amend her ways, she said she would rather break off the match. Obstinate behaviour. Stubborn conduct.

This proverb describes a stubborn person who refuses to change their inherent nature or bad habits, even if it costs them their most important relationships or well-being. It is used to highlight that a person's basic temperament is often unchangeable, regardless of the consequences.

* Chi ha testa di vetro non faocia a' sass. † Il cico non des giudicar del colori.

Tucking the tail between the legs.

This expression is used to describe someone who retreats in fear, loses courage, or admits defeat after initially acting bold or aggressive. It is similar to the English idiom 'to turn tail' or 'to run away with one's tail between one's legs.'

I am sixty years old; if I don't read (or learn) now, will I be rolling in the mud?

This expression is used to signify that it is never too late to learn or do something important. It implies that age should not be a barrier to self-improvement or education, and suggests that without continuous learning, one's life or intellect might go to waste.