ఒకడు పినతల్లికి తప్పినవాడు, ఇంకొకడు తల్లికి తప్పినవాడు.

okadu pinatalliki tappinavadu, inkokadu talliki tappinavadu.

Translation

One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.

Related Phrases

Even if the Brahmins miss (the predictions), the neem trees won't; even if the neem trees miss, the Eruvaka Purnima won't.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb highlighting the certainty of seasonal cycles. It suggests that while human predictions (astrology/almanacs) might fail, nature's signs (like neem trees flowering) and fixed seasonal festivals (like Eruvaka Purnima, which marks the start of the sowing season) are reliable indicators for farmers to begin their work.

The one who is drunk and the one who has failed are the same.

This expression is used to highlight that people who are in an intoxicated state and those who have lost their sense of judgment or morals are equally unreliable. It suggests that both categories of people lack accountability for their actions and cannot be trusted or held to the same standards as a rational person.

One who has lost his way and one who has wandered around a school are the same.

This expression suggests that a person who has lost their direction in life is comparable to someone who has attended school without actually learning or applying anything. It is used to critique someone who lacks common sense or purpose despite having access to resources or opportunities.

Whether you deviate from the truth or deviate from a prescribed diet, troubles are inevitable.

This proverb highlights the importance of integrity and discipline. It suggests that just as ignoring medical dietary restrictions leads to physical suffering, abandoning truth and honesty leads to moral and social consequences. In both cases, the person must face the resulting hardships.

If sharpness is lost or if the season is missed, the tax is a waste.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and preparedness in agriculture. If the tools aren't sharp or if the farmer misses the specific sowing window (season), the crop will fail, making the payment of land taxes a total loss. It is used more broadly to signify that performing a task without proper preparation or at the wrong time leads to wasted effort and resources.

Even if the word is missed, the rhyme must not be missed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.

One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.

If the sharpness is lost or the right time is missed, the tax is a waste.

This proverb is primarily used in the context of agriculture but applies to any time-sensitive task. It means that if your tools aren't sharp (readiness) or if you miss the specific window of opportunity (timing), all the effort and money (taxes/investment) put into the endeavor will be a total loss. It emphasizes that both preparation and timing are crucial for success.

He that breaks his word is a Pariah.

This proverb emphasizes the supreme importance of honesty and integrity. It suggests that a person's character and social standing are defined by their ability to keep promises. Historically, it was used to imply that failing to honor one's word leads to a loss of honor and respect in society, comparing the act of lying to being cast out of the social order.

A man that breaks his word and a vagrant are alike.

This proverb highlights that a person who fails to keep their word loses their credibility and status. It suggests that breaking a commitment is a sign of an unreliable character, making the person as useless or aimless as someone wasting time circling a rock.