రాగానకు నేను, అందానకు మా అక్క.
raganaku nenu, andanaku ma akka.
I for singing, my eldest sister for beauty. Said by an ass of itself and the camel by way of praise. Applied to a braggart. Did you ever before hear an ass play upon a lute ?
This expression is used sarcastically to describe people who boast about their own non-existent talents or qualities. It often refers to a situation where two individuals claim to be experts in something they are actually quite bad at, highlighting their shared delusions or incompetence.
Related Phrases
భోజనానికి నేనూ, మాబొప్పడు, లెక్క చెప్పడానికి నేనొక్కడనే అన్నాడట
bhojananiki nenu, maboppadu, lekka cheppadaniki nenokkadane annadata
For the meal, it's me and my father; for the bill, it's just me.
This expression is used to describe a person who is eager to share the benefits or rewards but refuses to share the responsibilities or costs. It highlights a selfish attitude where one wants more than their fair share while avoiding any liability.
కుక్క ముట్టిన కుండ అక్కరకు వస్తుందా?
kukka muttina kunda akkaraku vastunda?
Will a pot touched by a dog be of any use?
This proverb is used to describe something that has become defiled, corrupted, or spoiled to the point of being useless. Just as a ritualistically pure household would discard a pot licked by a dog, this expression suggests that once a person's reputation is tarnished or a resource is compromised, it can no longer serve its original honorable purpose.
ఇంత మంది దొరలు చావక పోతే నేను మాత్రం చస్తానా, నాకూ అక్కజలేదు అన్నాడట.
inta mandi doralu chavaka pote nenu matram chastana, naku akkajaledu annadata.
If so many masters/rich people haven't died, why would I die? I am in no hurry either, he said.
This proverb is used to mock someone who foolishly procrastinates or avoids responsibility by observing that others haven't done it yet. It highlights a false sense of security or laziness where a person justifies their inaction or lack of urgency by pointing at others who are equally stagnant, even when the task or situation is inevitable.
అందానికి పెట్టిన సొమ్ము, ఆపదకు అడ్డం వస్తుంది.
andaniki pettina sommu, apadaku addam vastundi.
Ornaments worn for beauty will be useful in the time of want.
This proverb highlights the dual purpose of investing in gold or jewelry. While it serves to enhance one's appearance (beauty), it also acts as a financial safety net that can be sold or mortgaged during difficult times or emergencies. It is used to justify the practice of buying jewelry as a form of saving.
కద్దు అనడానికీ లేదు అనడానికీ దీనికే అధికారమా?
kaddu anadaniki ledu anadaniki dinike adhikarama?
Has she a right to say "there is" or "there is not"? A beggar once asked alms from a daughter-in-law when her mother-in- law was out. She told him there was nothing for him. As he went he met the mother-in-law who enquired whether he had received alms at the house. On being told by the beggar that he had been sent away, she brought him back to the house and after chastising her daughter-in-law said to the man "Now you may go, has she any authority to say there are alms for you or there are not?" Told as an illustration of the fact that a daughter-in-law has no anthority whatever in the house.
This expression is used to mock someone who constantly contradicts themselves or claims absolute authority over both sides of an argument. It highlights the absurdity of one person or entity claiming the right to validate and invalidate the same thing whenever it suits them.
ఆచారానికి అంతమూ లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆదీ లేదు
acharaniki antamu ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu
There is no limit to purity, nor any beginning to impurity. Man is sinful from his birth, and never attains to perfect purity.
This proverb highlights that tradition and custom (Achara) can be endlessly elaborate with no final limit, while deviations or lack of tradition (Anachara) have no specific origin or defined structure. It is often used to suggest that one can get lost in the complexities of rituals or that improper conduct has existed forever without a clear starting point.
ఇంతమంది దొరలు చావకపోతే నేను మాత్రం చస్తానా, నాకూ అక్కరలేదు అన్నాడట.
intamandi doralu chavakapote nenu matram chastana, naku akkaraledu annadata.
If so many great people don't die, shall I alone die? I don't want it.
This is a humorous proverb used to describe people who blindly follow others even in illogical situations, or those who display a 'sour grapes' attitude. In the story behind the proverb, a poor man thinks dying is a luxury or a requirement that even the rich aren't fulfilling, so he refuses to 'participate' in it. It highlights foolish competitiveness or a lack of understanding of natural laws.
Said by a man when unwillingly refusing to eat something because Velamas did the same. Never be ashamed to eat your meat. He that is ashamed to eat is ashamed to live. ( French. )*
చెడు అనకు, చెడు వినకు, చెడు కనకు
chedu anaku, chedu vinaku, chedu kanaku
Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil
This is the Telugu version of the famous 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as an ethical maxim advising people to lead a virtuous life by avoiding participation in, or exposure to, bad influences, gossip, and negativity.
చక్కదనానికి లొటిపిట, సంగీతానికి గాడిదె
chakkadananiki lotipita, sangitaniki gadide
For beauty, a camel; for singing, an ass.
This sarcastic proverb is used to describe someone who claims to excel at something but is actually the worst possible example of it. Just as a camel is not known for aesthetic beauty and a donkey's braying is the opposite of melody, this phrase mocks people who have misplaced confidence or are completely unsuited for the roles they are performing.
వినకు, అనకు, కనకు
vinaku, anaku, kanaku
Do not hear, do not say, do not see.
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as a moral guideline to avoid evil: do not listen to evil, do not speak evil, and do not see evil. It is used to encourage people to maintain purity of mind and avoid participating in gossip or negativity.