పగవారిని చెరబట్టక ముద్దాడ వత్తురా

pagavarini cherabattaka muddada vattura

Translation

Would one come to kiss enemies instead of capturing them?

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where one should be firm or defensive against an adversary rather than being overly kind or lenient. It highlights that enemies are meant to be dealt with strictly, and expecting or showing affection in a hostile situation is foolish or illogical.

Related Phrases

Flattery ruins both the one who gives it and the one who receives it.

This expression warns against the dangers of insincere praise. It suggests that flattery is harmful because it makes the giver a hypocrite or a liar, and it makes the receiver arrogant or delusional, ultimately leading to the downfall of both parties.

Bismillah for every single morsel

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences frequent interruptions or obstacles right at the beginning of every small step or action. It refers to a person who keeps starting over or hesitating constantly, making no real progress.

One's own child is beautiful to them

This proverb is used to express that people always find their own possessions, family members, or creations to be the best and most beautiful, regardless of their objective quality. It is similar to the English expression 'Every potter praises his own pot' or 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.'

Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.

This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.

Is the work dear to you, or is the struggle dear to you?

This expression is used to question whether someone values the end result and productivity (pani) or if they are more concerned with the effort and hardship (paatu) involved. It is often used to remind someone that the outcome is what matters most, or to ask if they are willing to endure the struggle to get the reward.

His attempt to make [an image of] Ganêśa ended in [the moulding of] a monkey. Mud images of Ganêśa are made and worshipped on the 4th day of the light fortnight in the month Bhâdrapada (August—September). A ridiculous failure.

This proverb describes a situation where one's well-intentioned efforts or ambitious plans go wrong, resulting in a ridiculous or unintended outcome. It is used when someone tries to improve something or create something great but ends up making it worse or spoiling it completely due to lack of skill or poor execution.

When asked why the donkey was running, it said 'I joined the herd and my fear vanished.'

This proverb describes a situation where an individual gains artificial courage or confidence simply by being part of a group, even if they lack individual strength or purpose. It is used to mock someone who acts bold only when supported by a crowd.

Like trying to make a lump out of mustard seeds

This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task involving bringing together people or things that have a tendency to scatter or remain individualistic. Just as tiny, round mustard seeds roll away and cannot be easily formed into a solid ball, it refers to the difficulty of achieving unity or consensus among a group of disjointed entities.

When living well, go to your brother-in-law; when fallen on hard times, go to a friend.

This proverb highlights social dynamics and true loyalty. It suggests that relatives (like a brother-in-law) are often more interested in your company when you are prosperous and can enhance their status, whereas a true friend is the one who will support and welcome you even when you have lost everything and are in distress.

Making mustard seed into a ball. An impossible combination.

This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task. Mustard seeds are small, round, and slippery; trying to pack them together into a solid ball without a binding agent is futile. It signifies attempts to unify people or things that naturally tend to disperse or remain individualistic.