పసులముండా అంటే పట్టుతల్లీ అన్నట్టు

pasulamunda ante pattutalli annattu

Translation

When called a cattle-widow, she interpreted it as being called a golden mother.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who is so thick-skinned, delusional, or foolish that they interpret a harsh insult as a great compliment. It is used to mock someone who fails to understand criticism or remains blissfully unaware of being mocked.

Related Phrases

When the creeper was pulled the whole bush shook. Injury to the head of the house reaches to all the members.

This expression is used when a small action or a single lead reveals a much larger hidden connection or a whole network of information. Similar to 'tugging at a thread,' it implies that investigating one small part of a situation can expose the entire hidden reality or involve everyone associated with it.

Like asking whether the tree was first or the seed.

This expression is used to describe a classic 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to a situation or debate where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened first or is the primary cause of the other.

A problem that cannot be solved. Ask which was born first, the hen or the egg. (Italian.)*

If the husband calls his wife a widow, the beggar who comes to the door will also call her a widow.

This proverb highlights that if a family member (especially a protector) treats their own kin with disrespect or demeans them in public, outsiders will feel emboldened to do the same. It is used to advise that one must maintain dignity and respect within the family to ensure the world respects them as well.

As if saying 'The rhyme is more important than my own husband dying'

This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes trivial or superficial things (like rhyming words) over grave, serious, or tragic realities. It highlights a lack of common sense or misplaced priorities in a critical situation.

Is the seed first or the tree first?

This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Chicken or the egg' paradox. It is used to describe a circular argument or a situation where it is impossible to determine which of two interacting things is the cause of the other.

The birth mother looks at the stomach, the wife looks at the back.

This proverb highlights the difference in perspectives of caregivers. A mother is primarily concerned with her child's well-being and whether they have eaten (the stomach), whereas a wife or the world may look at what the person has brought home or their capacity for labor (the back/burden). It is used to describe the selfless nature of maternal love compared to the practical expectations of other relationships.

When one says 'In the house, Narayannamma', the other says 'Go, Govinda'

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total lack of coordination or communication between two people. When one person says something, the other gives a completely irrelevant or opposite response, leading to a situation where nothing gets accomplished due to the disconnect.

Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.

This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.

When asked which way, saying 'Godavari' way.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant or nonsensical answer to a specific question, or when there is a complete lack of communication/understanding between two people. It highlights a disconnect where the response has nothing to do with the query.

Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.