శక్తి చాలనివాడు సాధుత్వము వహించు
shakti chalanivadu sadhutvamu vahinchu
The one who lacks strength assumes the nature of a saint
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be calm, forgiving, or non-violent only because they are too weak or powerless to retaliate or take action. It highlights how some people mask their inability to act behind a facade of righteousness or saintliness.
Related Phrases
శక్తి ఎవరి సొమ్ము? యుక్తిచే సాధింప!
shakti evari sommu? yuktiche sadhimpa!
Whose property is strength? Achieve it through strategy!
This proverb emphasizes that physical strength is not an exclusive possession of anyone and that intelligence or clever strategy (yukti) can overcome raw power (shakti). It is used to encourage using one's wit to solve problems that seem physically impossible or daunting.
వైద్యము నేరనివాడూ, వానకు తడియనివాడూ లేడు.
vaidyamu neranivadu, vanaku tadiyanivadu ledu.
There is not a man who knows not medicine, nor one who has not been wet by rain. Every man is a fool or a physician at forty.
This proverb highlights that basic medical knowledge (home remedies) is common among everyone, just as experiencing rain is universal. It is often used to suggest that everyone has some level of practical wisdom or that certain life experiences are unavoidable and shared by all.
కుందేటి కొమ్ము సాధించినట్లు
kundeti kommu sadhinchinatlu
Like acquiring a rabbit's horn
This expression is used to describe a person who claims to have achieved or found something that is actually impossible or non-existent. It is used to mock someone's false claims of an impossible feat, as rabbits do not have horns.
ఓపనివాడు కోరనిదీ, ఓల్లనివాడు ఆడనిదీ లేదు.
opanivadu koranidi, ollanivadu adanidi ledu.
There is nothing a lazy person doesn't wish for, and nothing a hater doesn't say.
This proverb describes two types of people: a lazy person (opani vaadu) who desires everything without wanting to work for it, and a spiteful person (ollani vaadu) who will resort to any lie or criticism against someone they dislike. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of wanting results without effort or the tendency of people to badmouth those they are biased against.
తల్లికి కూడు పెట్టనివాడు తగవు చెప్పేడు, పెళ్ళానికి చాలనివాడు పెత్తనం చేసేడు.
talliki kudu pettanivadu tagavu cheppedu, pellaniki chalanivadu pettanam chesedu.
One who doesn't feed his mother gives judgments; one who can't provide for his wife exerts authority.
This proverb is used to criticize hypocrites who try to solve other people's problems or lead society while failing to fulfill their basic responsibilities at home. It highlights the irony of someone seeking respect or power externally when they are incompetent or neglectful in their personal life.
రాగము రానివాడూ, రోగము లేనివాడూ లేడు
ragamu ranivadu, rogamu lenivadu ledu
There is no one who cannot hum a tune, there is no one free from disease.
This expression suggests that everyone has some hidden talent or inclination toward music (or emotion), just as everyone has some physical or mental imperfection. It is used to highlight the commonality of human traits and the inevitability of minor flaws in every individual.
* Veritas non quaerit angulos.
ఆవుల సాధుత్వమూ, బ్రాహ్మణుల పేదరికమూ లేదు.
avula sadhutvamu, brahmanula pedarikamu ledu.
There is no meekness in cows, nor poverty in Brahmans.
This proverb is used to suggest that appearances can be deceiving or that certain social labels are not always what they seem. It implies that cows, while appearing docile, can be unpredictable or aggressive when provoked, and Brahmins, despite traditionally appearing poor or simple, often possess hidden intellectual or social wealth.
* MÉTROY ἐδώρ πίνοντες ἀμέτρως μάζαν ἐδούτες. 2 ( 9 )
రజకుని గానము, రండా ప్రభుత్వము
rajakuni ganamu, randa prabhutvamu
The washerman's song and a widow's rule.
This proverb is used to describe a situation of total chaos, lack of coordination, or mismanagement. Just as a washerman's loud, rhythmic shouting while washing clothes lacks melody, and (historically/metaphorically) a household or state without a proper leader was thought to lack order, this phrase signifies a messy or dysfunctional environment.
ఉడతా భక్తి
udata bhakti
Squirrel's devotion
This expression is used to describe a small but sincere contribution to a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used when someone wants to humbly acknowledge that while their help might be minimal in the grand scheme of things, it is offered with great sincerity.
ఓకారము రానివాడు వడ్లు గుణించినట్టు.
okaramu ranivadu vadlu guninchinattu.
Like one who does not know the alphabet attempting multiplication.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic, fundamental knowledge of a subject yet attempts to perform complex tasks within that field. It highlights the absurdity of someone skipping the basics and trying to handle advanced matters, leading to inevitable failure or confusion.