తాగినవాని మాట దబ్బర కాదు

taginavani mata dabbara kadu

Translation

A drunkard's word is not a lie.

Meaning

This proverb suggests that people often speak the absolute truth when they are intoxicated because their inhibitions and filters are lowered. It is used to imply that what someone says while drunk is their genuine feeling or a reality they were hiding while sober.

Related Phrases

The song belongs to the one who is drunk, and the game belongs to the one who is successful.

This proverb describes how authority or influence works in certain situations. It suggests that a person who is intoxicated will sing whatever they like regardless of skill, and similarly, the world follows and applauds the person who is currently successful or in power. It is used to highlight that rules often bend for those who are currently influential or dominating a situation.

There is no point in arguing about the mistake of a drunkard.

This proverb suggests that it is futile to engage in a dispute or hold a drunk person accountable for their actions while they are under the influence, as they lack sense and reasoning. It is used more broadly to advise against arguing with someone who is irrational or not in their right mind.

Undigested food and a word that cannot be fulfilled.

This expression highlights two things that cause significant discomfort: undigested food causes physical pain, while a promise or word that cannot be fulfilled (an impossible commitment) causes mental stress and reputational damage. It is used to caution people against making promises they cannot keep or taking on more than they can handle.

[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.

Do not give your word to a poor man, and do not give space to a wealthy man.

This proverb advises caution in social and financial dealings. If you make a promise to a poor person and fail to keep it, their despair may lead to bitterness or social shame for you. Conversely, if you give a wealthy or powerful person space (or a foothold in your affairs/property), they may use their influence to eventually usurp or dominate you.

Even a mustard seed cannot be hidden in his mouth. A gossipping fellow who repeats all he hears.

This expression is used to describe someone who cannot keep a secret. Just as a tiny mustard seed is hard to keep still in one's mouth, this person feels a restless urge to reveal any information or secrets they hear to others immediately.

The one who is liked by the heart is the husband, not just the one who ties the mangalsutra.

This expression emphasizes that true companionship and a husband's status are earned through love, mutual understanding, and emotional connection rather than through the mere ritual of marriage or tying a sacred thread. It is used to highlight that legal or ritualistic bonding is secondary to emotional compatibility.

Whether the jaw moves or the shuttle moves, they don't stop.

This expression refers to people who are constantly talking or constantly busy with work. 'Davada' (jaw) refers to non-stop talking or eating, while 'Dabdara' (a large weaving needle/shuttle) refers to continuous manual labor. It is used to describe a person who is never idle.

Joint words are words that do not fit.

This proverb highlights the difficulty of collective decision-making or joint ventures. It suggests that when multiple people are involved in a partnership or discussion, reaching a consensus is often impossible because conflicting opinions and interests prevent a single, coherent resolution from fitting everyone involved.

A calf that is habituated to the cow will not stay away; a cow habituated to its calf will not stay away.

This proverb describes an inseparable bond or a reciprocal addiction between two parties. It is used to illustrate situations where two people or entities are so accustomed to each other's presence, support, or company that they cannot function or stay apart independently. It can also refer to a cycle of mutual dependency.