తమాయించుకోలేకపోతే తల్లిని పిల్లలే పరిహాసమాడుకుంటారు
tamayinchukolekapote tallini pillale parihasamadukuntaru
If she cannot maintain her dignity, even children will mock their mother.
This expression highlights the importance of self-control and maintaining one's dignity or authority. It suggests that if a person (represented here by a mother) fails to conduct themselves with composure or discipline, they will lose the respect of those even closest or subordinate to them (represented by children), leading to ridicule.
Related Phrases
వెలుగు లేకున్నా చీకటి లేదు, చీకటి లేకున్నా వెలుగు లేదు.
velugu lekunna chikati ledu, chikati lekunna velugu ledu.
Without light there is no darkness, and without darkness there is no light.
This expression highlights the concept of duality and interdependence. It signifies that opposites define each other; we cannot understand or appreciate success without failure, joy without sorrow, or good without evil. It is used to explain that contrasting elements are essential parts of a whole existence.
పరిహాసం పైన వేసుకొని, జాణతనం చేతపట్టుకొని జాతరకు పోయినాడట.
parihasam paina vesukoni, janatanam chetapattukoni jataraku poyinadata.
He went to the fair wearing humor and carrying cleverness in his hand.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks seriousness or maturity. It refers to someone who treats everything as a joke and relies solely on superficial wit or over-smartness rather than preparation or responsibility when approaching a significant task or event.
అన్నం లేకుంటే జొన్న సాగుచెయ్యి
annam lekunte jonna sagucheyyi
If there is no rice, cultivate sorghum (jowar).
This proverb emphasizes adaptability and resourcefulness. It suggests that if the primary resource or preferred option is unavailable, one should seek out a practical alternative rather than giving up.
పెళ్ళినాడే పరగడువైతే పైన పిల్లలు కూడానా?
pellinade paragaduvaite paina pillalu kudana?
If one is starving on the wedding day itself, can they expect to have children later?
This expression is used to highlight poor planning or a bad start to an endeavor. If basic necessities or the primary goal cannot be met at the very beginning (the wedding feast), it is unrealistic to expect future success or growth (children). It is often used to criticize someone who fails at the initial, most important stage of a project.
కోడిపిల్ల మీద పందిపిల్ల బలాదూరు
kodipilla mida pandipilla baladuru
Sacrificing a pig to save a chicken.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming mismatch in strength or capability between two sides. It suggests that comparing the two is futile because one clearly dominates the other, often used in a sarcastic or dismissive tone regarding a one-sided competition.
బూతు లేనిదే నీతి లేదు
butu lenide niti ledu
There is no morality without profanity.
This expression suggests that to truly understand or highlight what is moral and righteous, one must also acknowledge or encounter the base, crude, or immoral aspects of life. It implies that wisdom often comes from experiencing or witnessing the 'raw' realities of the world, or that strict moral lessons often stem from instances of bad behavior.
ఆ మాటా అనిపిద్దామా మామగారూ?
a mata anipiddama mamagaru?
Shall we make them say that too, father-in-law?
This expression refers to a situation where a person, having already faced criticism or insults, continues to act recklessly or foolishly, inviting even more public humiliation. It is used to mock someone who doesn't know when to stop and is about to bring more shame upon themselves.
కూటికి లేకున్నా కాటుక చుక్క మానదు
kutiki lekunna katuka chukka manadu
Even if there is no food to eat, the application of eye-liner (kajal) does not stop.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes vanity, appearances, or superficial habits over basic necessities and survival. It is used to critique someone who is struggling financially but refuses to give up their expensive hobbies, makeup, or luxury lifestyle.
వానలుంటే పంటలు, లేకుంటే మంటలు
vanalunte pantalu, lekunte mantalu
If there are rains, there are crops; if not, there are fires.
This proverb highlights the critical importance of rainfall for agriculture. It signifies that timely rains lead to prosperity and food security (crops), whereas a lack of rain leads to drought, starvation, and economic devastation (metaphorically referred to as fires/suffering).
వింత లేకుండా ఆవలింత రాదు
vinta lekunda avalinta radu
A yawn does not come without a wonder.
This expression suggests that every action or occurrence, no matter how small or natural it seems, has an underlying cause or reason. It is often used to imply that something unusual must have happened to trigger a specific reaction or to suggest that there is more to a situation than meets the eye.