రౌతు మెత్తనైతే గుర్రం మూడు కాళ్లతో నడుస్తుంది
rautu mettanaite gurram mudu kallato nadustundi
If the rider be bad, the horse will go on three legs. If the headman be soft, the subordinates will be careless.
This proverb is used to describe how subordinates or children take advantage of a weak or overly lenient leader or parent. It suggests that if the person in authority lacks firmness, those under them will become lazy, defiant, or perform poorly on purpose.
Related Phrases
అత్త మెత్తన, కత్తి మెత్తన ఉండవు
atta mettana, katti mettana undavu
A mother-in-law is never soft, and a knife is never soft.
This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.
రౌతు మెతక అయితే గుర్రం మూడుకాళ్ళతో నడిచిందంట
rautu metaka ayite gurram mudukallato nadichindanta
If the rider is soft, the horse is said to walk on three legs.
This proverb highlights that if a leader or person in authority is lenient or weak, those under them will become lazy, rebellious, or perform poorly. It is used to describe situations where a lack of discipline leads to inefficient results.
గాడిద గాడిదే, గుర్రం గుర్రమే
gadida gadide, gurram gurrame
An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.
మన్ను మిన్ను ఏకమైతే మనుష్యులకు బ్రతుకేది?
mannu minnu ekamaite manushyulaku bratukedi?
If the earth and sky become one, where is the life for humans?
This expression is used to describe a catastrophic or overwhelming situation where everything is in chaos. It implies that when natural order is disrupted or when massive troubles converge from all sides, survival becomes impossible. It is often used to describe extreme weather like heavy rains or a series of great misfortunes.
గుర్రానికి ముడ్డి ఎండితే, ఆరిక కసువయినా తింటుంది
gurraniki muddi endite, arika kasuvayina tintundi
If a horse be starving it will eat even Ârika grass.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme necessity or desperation. It implies that when a person is in dire straits or facing a crisis, they will set aside their high standards, pride, or preferences and accept whatever humble resources or low-quality options are available to survive.
అవ్వా గుర్రమూ ఒకటి అయినట్టు
avva gurramu okati ayinattu
The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.
రౌతు కొద్దీ గుర్రము
rautu koddi gurramu
Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.
The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.
గుర్రము తోకకు కళ్లెము పెట్టినట్టు
gurramu tokaku kallemu pettinattu
Like putting the bridle on the horse's tail. To put the cart before the horse.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doing something in a completely wrong, backward, or illogical manner. Just as a bridle belongs on a horse's head to control it, putting it on the tail is useless and absurd. It highlights fundamental errors in planning or execution.
ముందు చూస్తే అయ్యవారి గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది, వెనక చూస్తే సాయెబు గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది.
mundu chuste ayyavari gurramuga unnadi, venaka chuste sayebu gurramuga unnadi.
Looking from the front it seems to be the Brahman's horse, looking from behind it seems to be the Śāhib's. The Kômati's evidence . The words are ambiguous and bear another meaning viz. " Before, this was the Brahman's horse—now, it is the Śāhib's" ( i. e. the Śāhib has taken possession of it ).
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.
నవ్వుతూ చేస్తారు, ఏడుస్తూ అనుభవిస్తారు
navvutu chestaru, edustu anubhavistaru
Laughing, they do it; weeping, they suffer for it.
This proverb is used to warn someone that the actions or mistakes they commit lightheartedly or out of greed will eventually lead to painful consequences that they will have to endure with regret.
Said of criminals.