రెండు వ్రేళ్ళతో నాటవచ్చునుకాని, అయిదు వ్రేళ్ళతో పెరకరాదు.
rendu vrellato natavachchunukani, ayidu vrellato perakaradu.
One can plant with two fingers, but should not uproot even with five fingers.
This proverb emphasizes that it is very easy to start or create something (like a rumor, a conflict, or a plant), but extremely difficult to undo or destroy the consequences later. It highlights the importance of being mindful before initiating an action, as the effort required to fix a mistake is much greater than the effort it took to make it.
Related Phrases
కాలితో నడిస్తే కాశీకి పోవచ్చునుగాని, తలతో నడిస్తే తనవాకిలి దాటవచ్చునా?
kalito nadiste kashiki povachchunugani, talato nadiste tanavakili datavachchuna?
If you walk with your feet, you can reach Kashi; but if you walk with your head, can you even cross your own doorstep?
This proverb emphasizes that success is achieved by following the natural, right, and established methods rather than trying to do things in an unnatural or egoistic way. 'Walking with the head' symbolizes arrogance or trying to act contrary to common sense, which leads to failure even in small tasks, whereas humble and proper efforts can take one great distances.
వేళ్ళతో వెంపలి, కాయలతో కానుక
vellato vempali, kayalato kanuka
Vempali with its roots, Kanuga with its pods.
This saying highlights the agricultural value of specific plants for soil enrichment. It means that the Vempali (Wild Indigo) plant is best for green manure due to its nitrogen-fixing roots, while the Kanuga (Indian Beech) tree is most beneficial for its nutrient-rich pods and seeds. It is used to describe things that are valuable in their own specific ways for a common goal.
వెన్నముద్ద పారవేసి వ్రేళ్ళు నాకినట్లు
vennamudda paravesi vrellu nakinatlu
Like throwing away a lump of butter and licking one's fingers.
This proverb describes a person who abandons something valuable or substantial only to struggle for something trivial or of much lesser value. It is used to critique poor decision-making where a person ignores a great opportunity right in front of them and settles for the remnants.
చెరుకు తీపి అని వేళ్లతో నమలవచ్చునా?
cheruku tipi ani vellato namalavachchuna?
Because the sugar-cane is sweet are you to chew it with the roots ?
This proverb is used to warn against taking undue advantage of someone's kindness or a good situation. It implies that even if something is beneficial or a person is generous, there should be a limit to how much you exploit it. Overusing or overstepping boundaries will eventually lead to negative consequences.
Said of a greedy, grasping person. Milk the cow, but don't pull off the udder. (Dutch.) Give him an inch and he'll take an ell. Give a clown your finger and he will take your whole hand.
చెరకు అని వేళ్ళతో పెరకకూడదు
cheraku ani vellato perakakudadu
One should not uproot sugarcane by its roots just because it is sweet.
This proverb advises against being overly greedy or taking undue advantage of someone's kindness or a good situation. Just as pulling a sugarcane plant out by its roots destroys the source of future sweetness, exploiting a person or resource completely will eventually leave you with nothing. It emphasizes the importance of moderation and maintaining boundaries even when something is beneficial.
ఒకచేతి వ్రేళ్ళే ఒకటిగా లేవు.
okacheti vrelle okatiga levu.
The fingers of one hand are not the same.
This expression is used to highlight that diversity and differences are natural. Just as the fingers on a single hand differ in size and shape, people—even within the same family or group—will have different talents, temperaments, or opinions. It is often used to counsel patience or to point out that one should not expect uniformity in human nature.
కాలితో నడిస్తే కాశికి పోవచ్చునేగాని, తలతో నడిస్తే తలవాకిలి అయినా దాట వచ్చునా?
kalito nadiste kashiki povachchunegani, talato nadiste talavakili ayina data vachchuna?
If you walk on your feet you may go to Kâsi, but if you walk on your head can you even pass over the threshold ?
This proverb emphasizes the importance of using the right approach or tools for a task. It suggests that success comes from following the natural and practical way of doing things, whereas arrogance, overthinking, or using the wrong methods will prevent even the smallest progress.
పెద్దలతో వాదు, పితరులతో పొందు.
peddalato vadu, pitarulato pondu.
Disputing with the aged [ is as wrong as ] keeping company with ghosts.
This proverb highlights the futility and danger of two specific actions: engaging in heated arguments with wise or powerful elders (which leads to trouble) and attempting to befriend the dead (which is impossible or morbid). It is used to advise someone to respect social hierarchies and focus on the living and the practical.
వెళ్ళిపొమ్మంటే చూరు పట్టుకుని వేలాడినట్లు
vellipommante churu pattukuni veladinatlu
When told to leave, hanging onto the eaves of the roof.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is extremely stubborn or shameless about staying in a place or a position even after being clearly asked to leave or when they are no longer welcome. It highlights a lack of self-respect or an irritating persistence.
పెద్దలతో వాదు, పితరులతో పోరు
peddalato vadu, pitarulato poru
Argue with elders, fight with ancestors.
This proverb warns against the futility and disrespect of engaging in constant arguments with elders or ancestors. It suggests that such conflicts are destructive, lead to bad reputation, and result in mental unrest since elders possess more experience and ancestors represent one's roots.