తన చెయ్యి కాలుతుందని సవితి బిడ్డ చేతితో కలియపెట్టినదట.
tana cheyyi kalutundani saviti bidda chetito kaliyapettinadata.
To save her own hand from being burnt, she stirred up the food with the hand of her fellow wife's child. Cat's paw. To draw the snake out of the hole with another's hand. (Spanish.)§
This proverb describes a person who is extremely selfish or cruel, someone who uses others (often those who are vulnerable or whom they dislike) to perform dangerous or difficult tasks to protect themselves from harm.
* Morton ( Bengali and Sanscrit Proverbs ) thus renders a Bengali epigram— "Said a clown to a Brahmin, 'Sir, tell me, I pray For crushing a spider what fine must I pay?' 'Why, my friend, I pray for your sake, And demand an atonement of serious expense.'— 'Instead then clap, with deep sorrow I'm filled;' 'Your son, Sir, a poor little spider has killed.'— 'Out, fool,' cry the Brahmin, in anger—'away!' For killing a spider there's nothing to pay!" † Justice, mas no por mal cas. ‡ A nesuno place la giustizia a casa sua. § Con agena mano sacar la culpa del horado. 23 ( 177 )
Related Phrases
ఆడదాని చేతి అద్దం, మగాడి చేతి బిడ్డ బ్రతకదట
adadani cheti addam, magadi cheti bidda bratakadata
A mirror in a woman's hand and a child in a man's hand do not survive.
This is a traditional proverb highlighting gender-stereotypical roles from the past. It suggests that a mirror in a woman's hand will break because she uses it too frequently, and a baby in a man's hand will not thrive because he lacks the natural nurturing patience or skill required for childcare. In modern usage, it is often cited to remark on the lack of care or the inherent risk of mishandling something when it is not in the hands of an 'expert' or 'natural' caretaker.
చెయ్యి తిరగ చేసినా చాటనిండా పెట్టరు.
cheyyi tiraga chesina chataninda pettaru.
Even if you move your hand upside down, they won't put enough to fill a winnowing tray.
This proverb is used to describe extremely stingy or miserly people. It suggests that no matter how much effort one puts in or how much one asks, a miser will never be generous enough to give a substantial amount.
తెడ్డు ఉండగా చెయ్యి కాల్చుకున్నట్టు
teddu undaga cheyyi kalchukunnattu
Burning his hand when he had a ladle. To stir the rice with.
This proverb describes a situation where someone suffers or makes a mistake despite having the necessary tools or resources to avoid it. It is used to point out foolishness or the failure to utilize available help, similar to the English concept of 'making things harder for oneself'.
నీ ఎడమ చెయ్యి తీయి, నా పుర్ర చెయ్యి పెడతాను
ni edama cheyyi tiyi, na purra cheyyi pedatanu
Take away your left hand, I will use my sinister hand.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or meaningless action where one thing is replaced by something identical or equally ineffective. It highlights a situation where there is no real change or improvement despite the movement or effort, often used to mock someone suggesting a solution that is the same as the current problem.
As broad as long.
కంకణాల చెయ్యి ఆడితే, కడియాల చెయ్యి ఆడును.
kankanala cheyyi adite, kadiyala cheyyi adunu.
If the hand with Kankaṇamulu moves, the hand with Kaḍiyamulu moves also. Kankaṇamulu are bracelets worn by women. Kaḍiyamulu are those worn by men. Where woman leads man follows.
This proverb highlights the interdependency within a household or society. 'Hand with bangles' refers to the woman (traditionally managing the kitchen/home), and 'hand with bracelets' refers to the man (traditionally the earner). It means that when the woman works to cook and manage the house, the man can eat and have the strength to work, or more broadly, that domestic stability is the foundation for external success.
తన చేయి కాలుతుందని, సవతి బిడ్డ చేతితో కలియబెట్టిందట.
tana cheyi kalutundani, savati bidda chetito kaliyabettindata.
Fearing her own hand would get burnt, she stirred the pot with her stepchild's hand.
This proverb describes extreme selfishness and cruelty. It is used to refer to a person who, in order to avoid a small discomfort or risk to themselves, heartlessly puts someone else (especially someone vulnerable) in significant danger or harm.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదే చెయ్యి కాలదు
nippu muttanide cheyyi kaladu
The hand does not burn without touching fire
This expression is used to imply that every effect has a cause, or that someone wouldn't be in trouble or facing consequences unless they had done something to provoke it. It is similar to the English proverb 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'
ఆడదాని చేతి అర్థం, మగవాడి చేతి బిడ్డ నిలవవు.
adadani cheti artham, magavadi cheti bidda nilavavu.
Money in a woman's hand and a child in a man's hand will not stay.
This traditional proverb suggests that wealth held by a woman is quickly spent on household needs, while a man may lack the patience or nurturing skill to keep a child calm or safe for long. It is used to describe roles or situations where resources or responsibilities are perceived to be inherently unstable.
చెయ్యి కాలినప్పుడల్లా కుండ వదిలిపెడతామా?
cheyyi kalinappudalla kunda vadilipedatama?
Will we abandon the pot every time our hand gets burnt?
This proverb is used to emphasize perseverance and resilience. It suggests that just because we face a minor setback, injury, or difficulty while performing a necessary task, we should not abandon the task entirely. It is commonly used to encourage someone to keep going despite challenges or mistakes.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదీ చెయ్యి కాలదు.
nippu muttanidi cheyyi kaladu.
Don't touch fire, and your hand won't be burnt.
This expression is used to signify that every result has a cause, particularly regarding consequences for one's actions. It implies that a person doesn't get into trouble unless they have done something wrong, or that there is no smoke without fire.
Don't play with the bear if you don't want to be bit. (Italian.)† * Ayer vaquero, hoy caballero. † Non ischersar coll'orso, so non vnuol esser morso.