శతాపరాధములకు సహస్రదండనములు లేవు
shataparadhamulaku sahasradandanamulu levu
There are no thousand punishments for a hundred offenses.
This proverb is used to indicate that the law or justice system has limits. It suggests that a person can only be punished to a certain extent for their crimes, or that one cannot be punished multiple times for the same series of mistakes beyond what is prescribed. It is often used in a legal context or when discussing fairness in retribution.
Related Phrases
నాటకములు బూటకములు, బోటితనములు నీటులు.
natakamulu butakamulu, botitanamulu nitulu.
Plays are unreal, your wit is your beauty.
This expression is often used to convey that worldly life or human behavior is superficial and deceptive. It implies that people's actions are often just 'acts' (dramas) and that youth or external beauty is fleeting and pretentious rather than reflecting a deeper truth.
మాచెర్ల దొరలకు మీసాలు లేవు, పల్నాటి దొరలకు వాసాలు లేవు.
macherla doralaku misalu levu, palnati doralaku vasalu levu.
The lords of Macherla have no mustaches, and the lords of Palnadu have no rafters.
This is a satirical historical proverb reflecting on a period of extreme poverty or decline. Mustaches are traditionally symbols of pride and masculinity (lords), while rafters (vasalu) are essential for building a house. It implies that the rulers lost their dignity and the common people lost their shelter, used to describe situations where everyone, regardless of status, is lacking basic necessities or pride.
శత కోటి దరిద్రాలకు అనంతకోటి ఉపాయాలు
shata koti daridralaku anantakoti upayalu
[One who can tell] a hundred lies, [one who can tell] a thousand lies. Ten times as bad.
This proverb is used to convey that no matter how many difficulties or challenges (poverty/troubles) one faces, there are always ways to overcome them. It emphasizes human ingenuity and the availability of endless solutions to any number of problems. It is often used to encourage creative problem-solving in desperate situations.
నొసట కళ్ళు లేవు, నోట్లో పళ్ళు లేవు
nosata kallu levu, notlo pallu levu
No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.
సరివీ, పిల్లలూ లేస్తే సహస్రం మంది లేచినట్లు.
sarivi, pillalu leste sahasram mandi lechinatlu.
If the mother and her children wake up, it is as if a thousand people have woken up.
This proverb is used to describe the chaotic energy, noise, and bustle created by a mother and her several children in a household. It suggests that their collective activity is equivalent to the commotion of a massive crowd (a thousand people), often used when a house feels suddenly full of life or noise.
అత్త చేసిన పనులకు ఆరళ్ళు లేవు
atta chesina panulaku arallu levu
There is no one to blame the mother-in-law.
This proverb is used to highlight double standards or hypocrisy in power dynamics. It suggests that when a person in authority (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is ignored or excused, but when a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) does the same, it is heavily criticized.
సుతులు లేని వారికి గతులు లేవు.
sutulu leni variki gatulu levu.
Those who do not have sons have no salvation.
Historically, this proverb reflects an old belief that a son is necessary to perform final rites for parents to attain 'Moksha' (salvation). In a modern context, it is often used to discuss traditional family values or the cultural importance placed on continuing the lineage.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)
This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.
ఏలుకోవడానికి ఊళ్లు లేవుగాని, ఎత్తుకుని తినడానికి ఊళ్లు లేవా?
elukovadaniki ullu levugani, ettukuni tinadaniki ullu leva?
There are no villages to rule over, but are there not villages to beg in? Said by a beggar refused alms.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is too proud or lazy to work. It suggests that even if one lacks the status or means to be a leader or a ruler (high status), there are always ways to survive if one is willing to set aside their ego—often used sarcastically against those who complain about lack of grand opportunities while ignoring humble ways to make a living.
పంచాంగములు పోతే నక్షత్రములు పోతాయా?
panchangamulu pote nakshatramulu potaya?
If the almanacks are lost, do the stars go also ? Can the original source not be applied to, when that derived from it has been lost ?
This proverb is used to convey that truth or natural laws do not change just because the records or tools used to measure them are lost or destroyed. It implies that fundamental realities remain constant regardless of human documentation or external circumstances.