తాళిమి తన్నూ కాచును, ఎదుటినీ కాచును

talimi tannu kachunu, edutini kachunu

Translation

Patience will save you and your neighbour.

Meaning

This expression highlights the virtue of patience (Tahlimi). It suggests that by remaining patient, a person can avoid self-destruction or making impulsive mistakes while also preventing conflict and harm to those around them. It is used to advise someone to stay calm in provocative situations.

Related Phrases

The silver ring protects from danger; the wick protects from death.

This is an old Telugu saying related to superstitious beliefs and traditional medicine. It suggests that wearing a silver ring (kadi) can ward off accidents or evil eyes, while a medicinal wick or oil lamp (vatti) can prevent death or severe illness. It is used to highlight how small traditional remedies or protective charms are believed to save one from great calamities.

It is the strength of the position, not one's own strength.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's power, influence, or authority comes entirely from the position or office they hold rather than their personal merit or capability. It highlights that once the individual leaves that specific role or location, they no longer possess that same power.

There will be one who can kick the head of the one who kicks the top of a palm tree.

There are always people who are of superior abilities. One should try for the best in life, but after achieving a good position in life, one should not feel that one is at the top of the world; there are still higher peaks to reach.

Closeness ruins the sharing.

This proverb suggests that excessive intimacy or being too crowded/interfering in a shared arrangement or partnership can lead to conflicts and eventually spoil the relationship or the work being done together.

A lump of food [given in charity] will save you from trouble. He who lends to the poor, gets his interest from God. (German.)

This proverb highlights the importance of timely help or minimal sustenance. It implies that even a very small amount of food or a minor timely intervention can save a person from a life-threatening situation or a major calamity.

It is the strength of the position, not the strength of the person.

This expression emphasizes that a person's power or influence often comes from the position or office they hold rather than their innate abilities. It is used to remind people that once they lose their status or position, their perceived power will also vanish.

A tree full of fruit fears the gale, but does a heavy log fear it?

This proverb highlights that those who have something to lose (like a tree with fruit or a person with status/responsibilities) are vulnerable and cautious, whereas those who have nothing to lose or are insensitive (like a dead log) remain indifferent to threats. It is used to describe how people with responsibilities must be careful, while the idle or thick-skinned are unbothered.

A snake bites; a scream (or commotion) spoils.

This proverb suggests that while a snake's bite is a direct physical harm, the panic or loud screaming that follows can cause even more damage or ruin the situation. It is used to advise someone to stay calm during a crisis, as overreacting or creating a commotion can be more counterproductive than the problem itself.

Virtue protects the head. The reward of virtue in this life is protection from evil.

This proverb means that one's righteous deeds and moral conduct will act as a shield and save them from danger or misfortune in critical times. It is used to encourage ethical behavior, suggesting that being good eventually leads to being protected by one's own karma.

Washing protects against calamity.

This proverb highlights the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It suggests that the simple act of washing (hands, feet, or body) can ward off diseases or 'gandamu' (critical dangers/accidents), implying that being clean prevents many avoidable troubles.