రాయిని గుద్దనేల చెయ్యి నొవ్వనేల
rayini guddanela cheyyi novvanela
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.
Related Phrases
రాయిని గుద్దనేల, చెయ్యి నెవ్వనేల?
rayini guddanela, cheyyi nevvanela?
Why thump a stone? Why should your hand be pained? Why bring trouble on your own head?
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.
ఎవరి పైగుడ్డ వారికి బరువే
evari paigudda variki baruve
Every man feels his own upper cloth heavy.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an individual is so exhausted, weak, or overwhelmed that even the smallest personal responsibility or a minor possession feels like a significant burden. It highlights extreme fatigue or a state of complete helplessness.
Every one has his care. Every one feels his own burden heavy. ( French.)*
ఉప్పుతిని ఉపతాపమందనేల?
upputini upatapamandanela?
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.
అడుసు త్రొక్కనేల? కాలు కడగనేల?
adusu trokkanela? kalu kadaganela?
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.
అడుసు త్రొక్కనేల కాలు కడుగనేల
adusu trokkanela kalu kaduganela
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.
మూరెడు పోనేల, బారెడు కుంగనేల
muredu ponela, baredu kunganela
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.
చలిబడనేల సీతుగాయనేల
chalibadanela situgayanela
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.
రాయిని గుద్దనేల, చేయి నొవ్వనేల?
rayini guddanela, cheyi novvanela?
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.
కంకణాల చెయ్యి ఆడితే, కడియాల చెయ్యి ఆడును.
kankanala cheyyi adite, kadiyala cheyyi adunu.
If the hand with Kankaṇamulu moves, the hand with Kaḍiyamulu moves also. Kankaṇamulu are bracelets worn by women. Kaḍiyamulu are those worn by men. Where woman leads man follows.
This proverb highlights the interdependency within a household or society. 'Hand with bangles' refers to the woman (traditionally managing the kitchen/home), and 'hand with bracelets' refers to the man (traditionally the earner). It means that when the woman works to cook and manage the house, the man can eat and have the strength to work, or more broadly, that domestic stability is the foundation for external success.
నల్లనేలకు నువ్వులు, ఎర్రనేలకు కందులు
nallanelaku nuvvulu, erranelaku kandulu
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.