తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తల మాస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, tala maste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, a man's gluttony is seen; when the head is dirty, [ a woman's ] top-knot is large [ and untidy ]. As long as the mother lives her son's greediness is concealed.
This proverb highlights how certain losses or neglects can create a false or superficial appearance of growth or prosperity. In the first part, it implies that without a mother's care and balanced feeding, a child might develop a bloated stomach due to malnutrition or poor diet, which is not true health. In the second part, it suggests that unwashed, tangled hair might look voluminous, but it is actually a sign of poor hygiene rather than healthy hair growth. It is used to describe situations where something looks substantial or 'big' only because of neglect or underlying problems.
Related Phrases
కండ్లు పెద్దవి, కడుపు చిన్నది.
kandlu peddavi, kadupu chinnadi.
Eyes are big, stomach is small.
This expression refers to a person whose eyes are bigger than their stomach. It describes a situation where someone takes or orders a lot of food because it looks appealing, but they cannot actually finish it all because they get full quickly. It is used to caution against greed or wastefulness.
దూడ చస్తే కమ్మలం, గేదె చస్తే నిమ్మళం
duda chaste kammalam, gede chaste nimmalam
If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.
This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.
తండ్రి చస్తే పెత్తనం తెలుస్తుంది, తల్లి చస్తే కాపురం తెలుస్తుంది.
tandri chaste pettanam telustundi, talli chaste kapuram telustundi.
When the father dies, one understands management; when the mother dies, one understands household responsibilities.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a family. It suggests that a child only truly understands the burden of authority and financial responsibility once the father is gone, and the intricacies of managing a home and family bonds once the mother is gone.
కడుపు వస్తే కనే తీరాలి
kadupu vaste kane tirali
After conception there's nothing for it but to bring forth.
This proverb is used to convey that once a responsibility is taken or a process has started, one must see it through to the end regardless of the difficulties. It emphasizes that certain consequences or duties are inevitable once a particular path is chosen.
A work undertaken must be completed.
కన్నులు పెద్దవైతే కనుపాపలు పెద్దవౌతవా?
kannulu peddavaite kanupapalu peddavautava?
If the eyes are large, will the pupils also be large?
This proverb is used to explain that greatness or the size of a whole does not necessarily mean its core parts or subordinates will be equally large. It highlights that everything has its own natural limit and scale, and one should not expect the impossible or a direct proportionality in all matters.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
కడుపు కూటికి ఏడిస్తే, కొప్పు పూలకు ఏడ్చినది
kadupu kutiki ediste, koppu pulaku edchinadi
When the belly cried for food, the hair cried for flowers.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a stark contrast between basic needs and superficial desires. It is used when someone asks for luxuries or trivial things while another person is struggling for basic survival or facing a serious crisis.
అల్లులలో మల్లు పెద్ద.
allulalo mallu pedda.
Mallu is a great man among the weavers. Great among low people. Among the common people Scoggin is a doctor.
This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to sound superior or important in a group where everyone is essentially of the same status or rank. It highlights a false sense of hierarchy or self-importance among equals.
తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తలలు మూస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, talalu muste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, the stomach grows; when hair is tied, the bun looks big
This proverb highlights how people manage and move on after a loss. It suggests that once the person who feeds and cares for the family (the mother) is gone, one learns to fend for themselves or overeat out of lack of discipline, and that appearances can be deceptive or managed once the initial mourning period ends.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.