సుఖవాసి దేహానికి మెత్తని చెప్పు
sukhavasi dehaniki mettani cheppu
A soft sandal for a body used to comfort.
This proverb describes someone who is pampered or accustomed to a life of luxury and cannot endure even minor hardships. It is often used to characterize people who seek extreme comfort or avoid any form of physical strain or difficult conditions.
Related Phrases
కత్తికి మెత్తన, అత్తకు మంచి లేదు.
kattiki mettana, attaku manchi ledu.
There is no softness in a sword, and no goodness in a mother-in-law.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe situations where something is inherently harsh or impossible to find. Just as a blade cannot be soft by its very nature, the proverb suggestively reflects the stereotypical historical tension in households where a mother-in-law is never satisfied with her daughter-in-law, no matter how hard she tries.
ముదిత చను మెత్తనైనా, అధికారం మెత్తనైనా రోతురు
mudita chanu mettanaina, adhikaram mettanaina roturu
If a woman's breast is soft, or if authority is soft, people will despise it.
This proverb suggests that just as softness is expected in some contexts, in administration or leadership, being too 'soft' or lenient leads to a loss of respect. It implies that a ruler or person in power must be firm to maintain order, otherwise, the subjects or subordinates will disregard their authority.
అత్త మెత్తన, కత్తి మెత్తన ఉండవు
atta mettana, katti mettana undavu
A mother-in-law is never soft, and a knife is never soft.
This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.
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.
కత్తి మెత్తనా అత్త మంచీ లేదు.
katti mettana atta manchi ledu.
There is no softness in a sword, nor goodness in a mother-in- law.
This is a traditional proverb used to describe situations or relationships that are inherently difficult or sharp by nature. Just as a knife cannot fulfill its purpose if it is soft, the proverb suggests that the relationship with a mother-in-law is traditionally expected to be strict or stern rather than purely 'soft' or 'kind'. It is often used to comment on the inevitable friction in certain roles or power dynamics.
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సుఖవాసి దేహాన్ని మెత్తని చెప్పుతో కొట్టాలి
sukhavasi dehanni mettani chepputo kottali
You must beat his delicate body with a soft slipper. Said in joke of a person who affects to be very delicate.
This proverb suggests that dealing with stubborn, arrogant, or comfort-seeking individuals requires a subtle, tactical, or psychological approach rather than brute force. 'Soft sandal' symbolizes a firm but non-violent way of humbling someone or making them realize their mistakes without causing physical harm.
కంటికి రెప్ప కాలికి చెప్పు
kantiki reppa kaliki cheppu
An eyelid for the eye, a sandal for the foot
This expression refers to things that are essential for protection and safety. Just as an eyelid protects the eye and a sandal protects the foot, it describes someone or something that acts as a constant guardian or a basic necessity for one's well-being. It is often used to describe a protective person or a relationship where one takes care of another's safety.
మెత్తని చోటనే గుద్దలి వాడి
mettani chotane guddali vadi
The axe is sharp only at the soft spot
This expression is used to describe a person who shows their power or dominance only over those who are weak or submissive. It suggests that a bully or an authoritative person takes advantage of someone's kindness or vulnerability because they know they won't face resistance.
తనకు చెప్ప తడికెలచాటు, ఒకరికి చెప్ప ఒప్పుల కుప్ప.
tanaku cheppa tadikelachatu, okariki cheppa oppula kuppa.
When [the priest] applies [the law] to himself he screens himself [from its penalty]; but in laying down [the law] for others he is a beauty.* Justice, but not in my own house. (Spanish.)† No one likes justice brought home to his own door. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves hypocritically. It refers to someone who hides their own faults or avoids responsibility (hiding behind a screen) but gives moral lectures and acts like a paragon of virtue (pile of virtues) when judging others.
మందికి చెప్పాను కానీ, మనకు చెప్పానా?
mandiki cheppanu kani, manaku cheppana?
I told the crowd, but did I tell myself?
This expression is used to describe a person who gives advice to everyone else but fails to follow that same advice in their own life. It highlights hypocrisy or the gap between preaching and practicing, similar to the English idiom 'Practice what you preach.'