పాలివానికి చేసిన మేలు - పీనుగుకు చేసిన శృంగారము
palivaniki chesina melu - pinuguku chesina shringaramu
Favors done to a rival/relative is like decorating a corpse.
This proverb is used to express that doing a favor for someone who is inherently jealous or hostile (often referring to rival family members or 'palivaru') is a waste of effort. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because it cannot appreciate or return the gesture, helping an ungrateful or malicious rival will never result in gratitude or a positive outcome.
Related Phrases
కృతఘ్మునికి చేసిన మేలు
kritaghmuniki chesina melu
A favor done for an ungrateful person
This expression is used to describe a situation where help or kindness is extended to someone who does not appreciate it or later betrays the helper. It signifies a futile effort or a wasted act of generosity, often compared to pouring water into a bottomless pot.
మాటకు మాట శృంగారము, పేటకు కోట శృంగారము
mataku mata shringaramu, petaku kota shringaramu
A word is the ornament of a word, a fort is the ornament of a town.
This proverb emphasizes that just as a fort protects and dignifies a town, a quick and fitting reply (repartee) adds grace and completeness to a conversation. It is used to highlight the importance of effective communication and responsiveness in dialogue.
పీనుగకు చేసిన జాతర
pinugaku chesina jatara
A festival celebrated for a corpse
This expression refers to a situation where a lot of effort, money, or energy is spent on something that is already useless or dead. It describes a futile act or an event where there is no appreciation or benefit, as the recipient is unable to enjoy or respond to the efforts made.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
మాటకు మాట శృంగారం, పేటకు కోట శృంగారం
mataku mata shringaram, petaku kota shringaram
A reply for a word is the beauty of a conversation, as a fort is the beauty of a town.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of wit and timely responses in a conversation. Just as a fort provides grandeur and protection to a settlement, an apt and quick-witted reply enhances the quality and elegance of a dialogue.
పీనుగుకు చేసిన శృంగారం నగిరికి చేసిన కొలువు
pinuguku chesina shringaram nagiriki chesina koluvu
Decoration done to a corpse, service rendered to a royal palace.
This proverb highlights tasks that are futile and result in no appreciation or lasting benefit. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because the body is lifeless, working for a royal palace (or a fickle authority) often goes unrewarded and unrecognized, regardless of the effort put in. It is used to describe thankless jobs or wasted labor.
పీనుగకు శృంగారంలాగా
pinugaku shringaramlaga
Like decorating a corpse.
This expression refers to a futile or meaningless action. It describes an effort that is wasted because the recipient or the situation cannot benefit from it, just as makeup or jewelry is useless on a dead body.
వీనుగకు చేసిన జాతర
vinugaku chesina jatara
Carrying a corpse in procession.
This expression refers to a wasted effort or a pointless celebration. Just as organizing a grand festival or carnival for a dead person is useless and provides no benefit to the subject, it describes actions taken or resources spent where they are completely unappreciated or ineffective.
A vain ceremony.
పీనుగుకు చేసిన జాగారం - గొడ్డావుకు వేసిన ఆహారం
pinuguku chesina jagaram - goddavuku vesina aharam
Staying awake for a corpse - feeding a barren cow
This proverb describes efforts or investments that yield no results or benefits. Just as staying awake (vigil) for a dead body serves no purpose and feeding a barren cow results in no milk, it is used to describe wasted labor or futile actions.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
The good that an onion does, even a mother cannot do.
This is a popular Telugu proverb highlighting the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the most selfless caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the human body that they provide benefits even a mother's care cannot replicate.