పట్టినవాడు తాబేలు అంటే, గట్టున ఉన్నవాడు కుందేలు అన్నట్లు

pattinavadu tabelu ante, gattuna unnavadu kundelu annatlu

Translation

When the one who caught it says it's a turtle, the one on the shore says it's a rabbit.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where people stubbornly argue over their own perceptions or biases, even when the facts are clear. It is used to mock people who contradict someone with firsthand experience or those who insist on their own version of the truth despite evidence to the contrary.

Related Phrases

One who is diseased and one who is forced into labor are the same.

This proverb highlights that a person suffering from a disease and a person forced into unpaid manual labor (vetti) share a similar plight—both lose their freedom of will and are under a constant state of suffering or compulsion. It is used to describe situations where a person has no choice but to endure hardship.

He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)

This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.

The one who ate food and the one who received kicks will never forget.

This proverb highlights that some experiences leave an indelible mark on a person's memory. It specifically refers to acts of extreme kindness (giving food to the hungry) and acts of extreme humiliation or physical pain (getting beaten). Both the person who was helped in their time of need and the person who was wronged/punished will remember those moments forever.

When the one who caught it says it's a loach, the one on the bank says it's a catfish.

This expression describes a situation where a person who has no firsthand experience or involvement in a task tries to correct or contradict the person who is actually doing the work. It is used to mock people who offer unsolicited and inaccurate advice from a safe distance without understanding the ground reality.

The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.

This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.

Like a rabbit licking its own leg

This expression is used to describe a person who is overly self-satisfied or takes immense pride in their own small achievements, often ignoring the bigger picture or failing to realize that their actions are self-serving and of little consequence to others.

Neither the one with a mansion survives forever, nor the one in a hut dies instantly.

This proverb emphasizes the equality of life and death, suggesting that wealth (a mansion) doesn't guarantee immortality, and poverty (a hut) doesn't mean immediate demise. It is used to remind people that fate and time are the ultimate deciders, regardless of one's social or economic status.

A snail's walk and a tortoise's run

This expression is used to describe something that is moving at an extremely slow pace. It compares a slow process to the movement of a snail or the sluggish run of a tortoise, often used to criticize inefficiency or delays in work or traffic.

The one who has gives to the one who has; even the one who does not have gives to the one who has.

This proverb highlights a social irony where wealth continues to flow toward the wealthy. It describes a situation where both the rich and the poor tend to favor, gift, or serve those who are already influential and affluent, while those in actual need are often ignored.

When the one who caught the fish says it's a 'Pakki', the one on the bank says it's a 'Jella'.

This expression describes a situation where someone who is not involved in a task (an onlooker) tries to correct or contradict the person who is actually doing the work and has firsthand knowledge. It highlights the arrogance or ignorance of backseat drivers who offer unsolicited and incorrect opinions without being in the thick of the action.