రవ్వ రవ్వతో తెగుతుంది కాని, రాతితో తెగుతుందా
ravva ravvato tegutundi kani, ratito tegutunda
A diamond is cut by a diamond, but can it be cut by a stone?
This proverb suggests that certain tasks or people can only be handled or influenced by their equals or counterparts. Just as a hard diamond requires another diamond to be shaped, a strong-willed or highly skilled person can only be challenged or countered by someone of similar caliber, not by an ordinary or 'stone-like' force.
Related Phrases
చిన పేరితాడు తెగితే, పెదపేరి తాడు అప్పుడే తెగుతుంది
china peritadu tegite, pedaperi tadu appude tegutundi
If the small name-string breaks, the big name-string breaks right then.
This expression is used to describe a chain reaction or a situation where the loss or failure of a minor component immediately triggers the collapse of a major one. It is often used in the context of family relationships or traditional social structures where one event inevitably leads to another related consequence.
మాటకు మాట తెగులు, నీటికి నాచు తెగులు
mataku mata tegulu, nitiki nachu tegulu
Answering back is a disease to speech, just as moss is a disease to water.
This proverb suggests that arguing or talking back incessantly ruins the quality of a conversation, much like how moss pollutes and spoils a body of water. It is used to advise against unnecessary arguments or being argumentative for the sake of it.
చూడబోతే రంకు, చూడకుంటే బింకం
chudabote ranku, chudakunte binkam
If you look closely, it's a scandal; if you don't look, it's pride.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or person that appears respectable and dignified on the outside, but hides shameful or immoral secrets within. It highlights the hypocrisy of maintaining a grand public image while being corrupt or unethical in private.
చినపేరితాడు తెగితే, పెదపేరితాడు అప్పుడే తెగుతుంది
chinaperitadu tegite, pedaperitadu appude tegutundi
If China Pêri's marriage-cord be broken, Peda Pêri's will be broken at the same time. The Tâdu is the cord tied round a bride's neck. To it is attached the gold Tâliboṭṭu, answering to the wedding ring. When a woman becomes a widow the cord is broken. Said by one fellow wife to the other. Both in the same boat.
This expression is used to describe a chain reaction of unfortunate events or how small failures can lead to larger, systemic collapses. In a traditional context, it refers to the sequence of life events or rituals where the disruption of one step inevitably affects the next.
కులానికి కులం తెగులు, నీటికి పాచి తెగులు
kulaniki kulam tegulu, nitiki pachi tegulu
Caste is a plague to its own caste, just as moss is a plague to water.
This proverb highlights internal conflicts and self-destruction within a community. It means that the biggest threat or decay to a group usually comes from its own members, much like how moss originates from and eventually covers the water it grows in. It is used to describe situations where people harm their own kind.
పిల్లి శాపాలకు ఉట్లు తెగుతాయా?
pilli shapalaku utlu tegutaya?
Will the hanging nets break because of a cat's curses?
This proverb is used to say that the malicious wishes or curses of an insignificant or weak person cannot harm those who are superior or more powerful. It suggests that baseless threats or bad intentions of envious people do not affect the natural course of events or a person's well-being.
మాటకు మాట తెగులు, నీళ్లకు నాచు తెగులు
mataku mata tegulu, nillaku nachu tegulu
Word upon word spoils speech as weeds spoil water.
This proverb highlights that constant arguing or talking back ruins the quality of a conversation, just as algae/moss spoils the purity of water. It suggests that excessive talkativeness or being argumentative is a negative trait that hinders meaningful communication.
పెద్దక్క ఓలి తెగితే, చిన్నక్క ఓలి తెగుతుంది
peddakka oli tegite, chinnakka oli tegutundi
If the elder sister's marriage settlement fails, the younger sister's marriage settlement also fails.
This proverb describes a chain reaction or a precedent-setting event. It suggests that if a rule is broken or a standard is lowered for the first person in a sequence, it automatically applies to those following them. It is used to caution that one's failure or deviation can negatively impact others who are dependent on that same process or tradition.
నీటికి నాచు తెగులు, నాతికి రంగు తెగులు
nitiki nachu tegulu, natiki rangu tegulu
Moss is a disease for water; vanity is a disease for a woman.
This proverb suggests that just as moss spoils the purity and clarity of water, an obsession with makeup, vanity, or external appearance can ruin the character or integrity of a person. It is used to caution against excessive materialism or preoccupation with looks.
చినపేరితాడు తెగితే, పెదపేరితాడు తెగుతుంది
chinaperitadu tegite, pedaperitadu tegutundi
If the small name-thread breaks, the big name-thread will also break.
This expression suggests that if a small problem or minor connection is severed, it can lead to the destruction of a larger, more significant relationship or structure. It is often used to warn that neglect of small things can lead to a domino effect, resulting in a major loss.