రాయిని గుద్దనేల, చెయ్యి నెవ్వనేల?

rayini guddanela, cheyyi nevvanela?

Translation

Why thump a stone? Why should your hand be pained? Why bring trouble on your own head?

Meaning

This proverb is used to advise against engaging in futile or self-destructive actions. It suggests that picking a fight with someone much stronger or attempting an impossible task will only result in self-inflicted harm, so it is better to avoid such unnecessary conflicts.

Related Phrases

Why should a wandering prostitute have a steady paramour?

This proverb is used to comment on people who lack discipline, consistency, or loyalty. It implies that if someone is always restless or frequently changing their commitments/loyalties, they cannot maintain a stable relationship or a steady position. It is used to mock the inconsistency of a person who doesn't stay in one place long enough to benefit from a stable arrangement.

Why punch a stone? Why let the hand hurt?

This proverb is used to advise against engaging in futile or self-destructive actions. It suggests that picking a fight with someone much stronger than you, or attempting an impossible task that only results in self-harm, is foolish and unnecessary.

Why suffer after consuming salt?

This expression means that one should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. It is often used to imply that if you have done something wrong or taken a favor (represented by 'salt' in Indian culture as a symbol of loyalty/indebtedness), you must accept the resulting hardship or responsibility without complaining.

Why step in the mud? Why wash the foot?

This expression means that it is better to avoid a bad situation or a known problem altogether rather than getting involved and then trying to fix the consequences. It is used to advise someone to stay away from trouble or unnecessary complications from the start.

Why step in the mud and then why wash your feet?

This proverb is used to advise someone to avoid getting into trouble or making a mistake in the first place, rather than trying to fix it later. It is similar to the English saying 'Prevention is better than cure.' It suggests that one should use foresight to avoid messy situations instead of wasting effort resolving them.

Why go forward by a cubit, only to come back by a fathom?

This proverb is used to criticize someone who takes a small step forward without proper planning, only to face a major setback or failure that pushes them much further back than where they started. It emphasizes the importance of foresight and cautious action to avoid unnecessary losses.

Why advance a cubit, and sink a fathom ?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort put into progress is far outweighed by the resulting loss or setback. It critiques actions that are counterproductive or lack proper planning, leading to a net negative outcome. It is often used when someone tries to gain a little but ends up losing much more.

Why endure the cold and why bask in the moonlight?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is confused, indecisive, or performing contradictory actions that yield no benefit. It refers to someone who complains about the cold (chali) but instead of seeking warmth from a fire, sits in the moonlight (seethu), which provides no heat. It is applied to people who choose ineffective solutions to their problems.

Why punch a stone and why suffer a hand injury?

This expression is used to advise someone against taking on a task or engaging in a conflict that is clearly beyond their capability or bound to result in self-harm. It questions the wisdom of starting a fight with a much stronger opponent or attempting an impossible task that will only lead to personal pain or failure.

Sesame for black soil, red gram for red soil.

This proverb highlights the importance of choosing the right resources or people for a specific task based on their nature and suitability. Just as sesame thrives in black soil and pigeon peas (red gram) grow best in red soil, success depends on aligning strategies with the environment or context.