తన పెరటి చెట్టు మందుకు పనికి రానట్లు

tana perati chettu manduku paniki ranatlu

Translation

Like the tree in one's own backyard is of no use for medicine.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where people fail to recognize or value the talent, resources, or wisdom available close to them, often seeking the same elsewhere while undervaluing what they already have. It is similar to the English proverb 'A prophet is not honored in his own country'.

Related Phrases

Eerakka inside the house and Perakka in the backyard

This proverb refers to a person who plays different roles or behaves differently in different situations, or more commonly, it describes two people who are constantly competing or causing trouble in their respective domains. It is often used to describe sisters-in-law or women in a household who are equally difficult to deal with or who divide their 'territories' of influence.

Like a young bull that has tasted the lush grass of the valley and refuses to return to its manger.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced better opportunities, luxuries, or freedom elsewhere and is no longer willing to return to their previous, restricted, or mundane life. It highlights the difficulty of bringing someone back to a routine or humble state once they have tasted a superior or more enjoyable lifestyle.

Like selling fruits by using the name of the tree.

This expression is used to describe someone who leverages the fame, reputation, or hard work of their ancestors or superiors to gain personal profit or success without putting in any effort of their own.

Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.

This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.

A date palm tree's shade is not real shade, a palmyra tree is not a mother.

This proverb highlights that not everything that appears beneficial is actually helpful. The shade of a date palm is too sparse to provide relief, and while a palmyra tree is tall and useful, it lacks the nurturing quality of a mother. It is used to describe things or people that are inadequate despite their outward appearance or status.

The tree in the back yard won't do for medicine. That which is near is not valued. Far fetch'd and dear bought is good for ladies. A cow from afar gives plenty of milk. (French.)

This proverb describes the human tendency to undervalue something or someone that is easily available or close at hand. Just as people often ignore the medicinal properties of a plant growing in their own backyard and seek treatment from far away, we often fail to recognize the talent, wisdom, or value of people we are familiar with.

Like a person who went to fetch medicine returning in time for the monthly funeral rites.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is extremely slow or procrastinates to a ridiculous extent. It depicts a situation where a person sent to get life-saving medicine for a patient returns so late that the patient has already died and it is time for the 'Masikam' (a ritual performed one month after death).

Like a person who went to get medicine but returned with a bandage (wound).

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to fix a problem or improve a condition actually results in making things worse. It is used when a person's efforts to find a solution lead to additional complications or self-inflicted damage.

Like making someone climb a tree and then letting go of the support.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone encourages or forces another person to take on a difficult or risky task and then abandons them without any support when they need it most. It signifies betrayal or leaving someone in the lurch after getting them involved.

In a place where there are no trees, even a Wild Indigo bush is a great tree

This proverb describes a situation where an ordinary or mediocre person is considered great simply because there are no better alternatives available. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'