పడుగూ పేకా గుడ్డకూ, మంచి చెడ్డా మనిషికి

padugu peka guddaku, manchi chedda manishiki

Translation

Warp and woof for a cloth, good and bad for a human.

Meaning

Just as warp (vertical threads) and woof (horizontal threads) are essential components that define the structure of a cloth, good and bad qualities/actions are what define a human being. It is used to express that life or a person's character is a combination of both virtues and flaws, and one must accept this duality as a natural part of human existence.

Related Phrases

Mother is good, but the serving ladle is bad.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone claims to be kind or well-intentioned, but their actions (or the results of their actions) are harsh or stingy. It often refers to a person who speaks sweetly but fails to provide help or resources when needed, similar to a mother who is loving in words but serves very little food with the ladle.

Words are good, but deeds are bad

This expression describes hypocrisy or a situation where someone talks very politely or makes grand promises but acts in a harmful or contrary manner. It is used to describe people whose actions do not match their virtuous words.

Good and bad are the warp and the woof.

Life is a fabric woven with both good and bad experiences. This expression is used to convey that success and failure, or joy and sorrow, are inseparable parts of the human experience, just like the vertical (warp) and horizontal (woof) threads that make a cloth.

If you want to know a person's good or bad qualities, you must place them in a seat of power.

This expression means that a person's true character is revealed only when they are given authority or power. It suggests that while people may appear humble or virtuous when they have nothing, their real nature—whether noble or corrupt—emerges once they have the ability to control others.

When you go to do good, you are met with bad.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's good intentions or attempts to help lead to unexpected negative consequences, criticism, or trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

Everything is only for our good.

Normally used in comforting someone, the statement indicates that acceptance of what befalls one is a positive attitude. Worrying about what is unavoidable serves no purpose. One should realize what will be, will be.

A good onion has a good navel (core).

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is of high quality both inside and out. Just as the quality of an onion is determined by its core, the character of a person or the integrity of a thing is judged by its inner essence. It suggests that true quality is consistent throughout.

Will [calamity] come to a tree and not to a man? Human beings are more liable to injury than inanimate objects.

This proverb is used to offer comfort or perspective when someone is facing difficulties. It implies that challenges, illnesses, or problems are an inherent part of the human experience. Since a tree cannot experience or handle human struggles, it is natural and expected for humans to face them.

Like a thunderbolt falling the moment one steps in.

This expression is used to describe an unfortunate coincidence where a disaster or a piece of very bad news occurs immediately after someone's arrival. It is often used to imply that a person's entry brought bad luck or that they arrived at an extremely ill-fated moment.

Will a field of withered corn require three watcher's sheds? To drive off the birds.

This proverb is used to criticize excessive or unnecessary expenditure and effort on something that is already worthless or beyond repair. It highlights the irony of providing high security or maintenance to a failed venture.

* Wer da fallt, über ihm laufen alle Welt, ! Ao cas morido, todos o mordem, ‡ Cognatio movet invidiam.