సకల శాస్త్రాలు చదివినవాడికి నిలబడి మూత్రం పోయడం నేర్పినట్టు.

sakala shastralu chadivinavadiki nilabadi mutram poyadam nerpinattu.

Translation

Like teaching someone who has studied all the scriptures how to urinate while standing.

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock someone who possesses great theoretical knowledge or wisdom but lacks common sense or basic practical discipline. It highlights the irony of a learned person behaving in an uncivilized, improper, or uneducated manner despite their high status or education.

Related Phrases

We praise the ocean only while standing outside of it.

This expression is used to describe a situation where people admire or praise something from a safe distance, often because they are afraid to face its actual power, depth, or the challenges it presents. It implies that it is easy to appreciate the beauty of something when you are not personally involved in its risks or difficulties.

Invoking with a golden pot, bidding farewell with a clay pot.

This proverb describes situations where someone is initially welcomed with grand honors and high status (gold), but is later dismissed or sent away in a humble, poor, or disgraceful manner (clay). It highlights the fickleness of fortune or the hypocrisy of fair-weather treatment.

One should praise the ocean while standing on the shore

This expression means that it is easy to admire or criticize something complex and dangerous from a safe distance. It is used to suggest that one can truly appreciate the magnitude of a situation only when they are not directly endangered or overwhelmed by it, or conversely, that one's perspective is limited when they haven't actually entered the 'waters' of the experience.

Why do the Vedas and Shastras matter to a foolish blockhead?

This proverb is used to point out the futility of sharing profound knowledge, wisdom, or sophisticated ideas with someone who lacks the basic intelligence or common sense to appreciate them. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'

Experience is the scripture, words are the mantras.

This expression emphasizes that practical experience is the truest form of knowledge, more reliable than any book. It suggests that if one has wisdom through experience, their words gain the power and influence of sacred chants (mantras). It is used to highlight the importance of practical wisdom over theoretical learning.

You will only know the weeds in the paddy field if you bend down; does water flow for one who just stands?

This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and active involvement. It suggests that results or insights are only gained when one is willing to work hard (bend down), whereas someone who remains idle or disconnected from the task will gain nothing and understand nothing. It is used to criticize laziness or a lack of practical effort.

All the scriptures [studied], while urinating standing up.

This expression is used to mock someone who possesses vast knowledge or theoretical wisdom but lacks basic discipline, manners, or practical common sense. It highlights the irony of a person who claims to be highly educated or spiritual yet behaves in a crude or unrefined manner.

Even a King would stand by his word

This expression emphasizes the supreme importance of keeping a promise. It suggests that once a word is given, it is so sacred that even the most powerful person, like a King, must honor it and remain accountable to it.

Dry pleasantries, empty hands.

This expression describes a situation where someone offers a lot of sweet talk, empty promises, or fake affection but provides absolutely no practical help or tangible results. It is used to criticize people who are verbose in their kindness but stingy or useless when it comes to actual support or action.

If the mountain turns black, it rains; if the nipple turns black, a child is coming.

This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) used to describe natural signs of inevitable events. It compares the darkening of clouds over mountains (signaling rain) to the physiological changes in a woman's breast during pregnancy (signaling a baby). It highlights the predictability of nature and life through observation.