శెనగలు తింటూ ఉలవలని చెప్పి, పత్తివిత్తులు చేత్తో పెట్టేవాడు.
shenagalu tintu ulavalani cheppi, pattivittulu chetto pettevadu.
When eating Bengal gram he says it's horse gram, and when he gives it, it's cotton seed.
This proverb describes a highly deceptive, hypocritical, or manipulative person who says one thing while doing something entirely different. It refers to someone who enjoys the best for themselves (chickpeas) but misleads others about what they are consuming and ultimately gives others something worthless or harmful (cotton seeds). It is used to caution against individuals who are untrustworthy and thrive on blatant lies and exploitation.
Senagalu is the Cicer Arietinum; Ulavalau is the Dolichos Uniflorus. A man of crooked ways.
Related Phrases
చదువుల చెట్టుకు వేళ్ళు చేదు కానీ పండ్లు తీపి
chaduvula chettuku vellu chedu kani pandlu tipi
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
This proverb emphasizes that the process of learning and studying can be difficult, laborious, and demanding (the bitter roots), but the eventual rewards, knowledge, and success it brings are highly rewarding and pleasant (the sweet fruit). It is used to motivate students to persevere through the hardships of education.
శెనగలు తిని, చెయ్యి కడుగుకొన్నట్టు.
shenagalu tini, cheyyi kadugukonnattu.
Like washing one's hands after eating Bengal gram. This gram is so clean, that the washing of the hands is a superfluous act. Separating one's self wholly from anything.
This expression is used to describe a quick, effortless task or a simple action that leaves no trace or burden behind. It often refers to finishing a piece of work easily and moving on without any lingering complications or mess, just as washing hands after eating simple dry chickpeas is quick and leaves the hands clean immediately.
*Obres son amores, que no buenas razones. ¡ Le parole son feminine, e fatti son marchi.
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.
కోటి పెట్టేవాడు కొడుకు, కూడు పెట్టేది కూతురు
koti pettevadu koduku, kudu pettedi kuturu
A son may provide a fortune (crore), but a daughter provides sustenance (food).
This traditional proverb highlights different roles and emotional support systems within a family. It suggests that while a son might bring financial wealth or inherit the family lineage, a daughter is often the one who provides care, nourishment, and emotional support to her parents in their old age.
చెడు చెడు అనేవారేగాని, చేతిలో పెట్టేవారు లేరు.
chedu chedu anevaregani, chetilo pettevaru leru.
There are many to say it's bad, but none to put something in the hand.
This proverb describes a situation where many people are ready to criticize one's poverty, struggles, or bad circumstances, but no one is willing to step forward and offer actual financial or material help. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of society which offers criticism instead of support.
చెట్టెక్కి చేతులు విడిచినట్లు
chettekki chetulu vidichinatlu
Like climbing a tree and then letting go with the hands.
This expression describes a situation where someone abandons a task or withdraws support at a critical stage after taking a significant risk or putting in initial effort. It refers to someone who leaves others in a vulnerable or dangerous position without warning, or sabotages their own success at the final moment.
తవుడు తిని చచ్చేవానికి విషం పెట్టేవాడు వెట్టి.
tavudu tini chachchevaniki visham pettevadu vetti.
He who gives poison to a person who is already dying by eating bran is a fool.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or unnecessary action. If someone is already facing ruin due to their own poor choices or circumstances, there is no need to actively work against them or waste resources to cause their downfall. It highlights the foolishness of over-exerting oneself to harm someone who is already self-destructing.
ఎడమచేత్తో చేసింది కుడిచేత్తో అనుభవించవలె.
edamachetto chesindi kudichetto anubhavinchavale.
What is done with the left hand must be experienced with the right hand.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that every action, especially a bad one, has an inevitable consequence that one must face personally in the future. It is used to describe the law of karma or poetic justice.
విత్తుకు వేయి విత్తులు
vittuku veyi vittulu
A thousand seeds for a single seed
This expression highlights the principle of exponential growth and abundance. It is used to describe how a small initial effort, investment, or act of kindness can yield results many times greater than the original input.
చెట్టు పట్టించి చేతులు వదిలినట్లు
chettu pattinchi chetulu vadilinatlu
Like making someone climb a tree and then letting go of the support.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone encourages or forces another person to take on a difficult or risky task and then abandons them without any support when they need it most. It signifies betrayal or leaving someone in the lurch after getting them involved.