పెదవిపై మందహాసం, ఎదలో చంద్రహాసం

pedavipai mandahasam, edalo chandrahasam

Translation

A soft smile on the lips, a sharp sword (Chandrahasam) in the heart.

Meaning

This expression describes a person who appears friendly and gentle on the outside but harbors hidden enmity, cruelty, or destructive intentions internally. It is used to warn about hypocritical behavior where one's outward pleasantness masks a dangerous nature.

Related Phrases

A sword without courage will not cut.

This proverb emphasizes that tools or skills alone are useless without the bravery or determination to use them. Just as a sharp sword is ineffective in the hands of a coward, resources are only valuable when paired with a bold spirit.

Peri Sastry suffered a lip injury.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is usually very talkative or pedantic is suddenly silenced by a mishap or an unexpected turn of events. It highlights a moment where an eloquent person loses their ability to speak or their status due to a minor but impactful incident.

When a poor man is angry, he only bursts his own lips. Anger without power is folly. (German.) Anger makes a rich man hated, and a poor man scorned.

This proverb suggests that when a person with no power or resources gets angry, it only hurts them further rather than affecting others. It is used to describe a situation where expressing frustration is futile because the person lacks the influence to bring about change, often resulting in self-inflicted stress or negative consequences for themselves.

Would one bring a gold necklace (Chandraharam) for a leafy vegetable?

This expression is used when someone goes to an extreme or unnecessary length to accomplish a very simple or minor task. It highlights a lack of proportion, suggesting that the effort or cost involved is far greater than what the situation actually requires.

A lame person's leisure is a loss to the house.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who is unable to contribute productively (or is making excuses) spends their time in idle enjoyment or luxury, which ultimately leads to the financial or situational ruin of the household. It warns against being lazy or irresponsible when one should be mindful of their duties and the family's welfare.

Words without love stay only on the lips

This expression is used to describe insincere or hollow words. It suggests that when a person speaks without genuine affection or true intent, their words are superficial and do not come from the heart.

What's the cripple's delight is harm to the house. Such a man is said always to be in mischief.

This proverb describes a situation where an unproductive or dependent person indulges in unnecessary luxuries or lazy pleasures at the expense of those who support them. It is used to critique individuals who waste resources they haven't earned, leading to the financial or structural downfall of the household.

The anger of the poor is a danger to their own lips

This proverb implies that when people without power or resources get angry, they cannot harm those they are angry at; instead, they only end up hurting themselves. It is used to describe a situation where expressing frustration is futile or self-destructive due to one's lack of influence.

If it is not in front of you, it will not be in the heart.

This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Out of sight, out of mind'. It suggests that people tend to forget things or people when they are no longer physically present or visible to them.

A Brahmin's hand and an elephant's trunk never stay still.

This proverb highlights the restless nature of certain entities. Historically, a Brahmin (priest) is always busy performing rituals, chanting, or counting beads with his hand, while an elephant constantly moves its trunk in search of food or to explore its surroundings. It is used to describe people who are always busy or cannot sit idle without doing something.