తనవారు లోతుకు తీతురు, కానివారు కడకు తీతురు.
tanavaru lotuku tituru, kanivaru kadaku tituru.
His own people will pull him into the depth, his enemies will pull him to the bank.
This proverb is used to describe situations where people close to us (family or friends) might inadvertently or intentionally lead us into deeper trouble or complex situations, whereas strangers or outsiders might actually help us reach safety or a resolution. It highlights the irony that those we trust most can sometimes be the cause of our downfall.
Even an enemy is to be preferred to a relative in a time of danger.
Related Phrases
కొడుకు బిడ్డకు, కూతురు బిడ్డకు తాత ఒకడే
koduku biddaku, kuturu biddaku tata okade
For the son's child and the daughter's child, the grandfather is the same.
This proverb is used to emphasize impartiality and equality in family relationships. It points out that a grandfather shares the same biological bond with all his grandchildren, regardless of whether they are born to his son or his daughter, suggesting that one should not show favoritism based on lineage.
ఆలి వంకవారు ఆత్మబంధువులు, తల్లి వంకవారు తగినవారు, తండ్రి వంకవారు దాయాదులు
ali vankavaru atmabandhuvulu, talli vankavaru taginavaru, tandri vankavaru dayadulu
Your wife's people are your own relations; your mother's people are distant relations; your father's people are enemies ( because they are co-heirs ). ( See Vēmana Book II, 32. )
This proverb reflects traditional social dynamics in family relationships. It suggests that a person feels closest to their wife's family (in-laws), considers their mother's side as respectable well-wishers, but views the father's side with caution or as competitors due to historical disputes over ancestral property and succession.
అయినవారు లోతుకు తీస్తే, కానివారు మిట్టకు తీస్తారు
ayinavaru lotuku tiste, kanivaru mittaku tistaru
If your own people pull you deep (into trouble), strangers will pull you to the shore.
This proverb highlights that sometimes those close to us can be more harmful or detrimental to our progress than strangers. It is often used to describe situations where family or friends cause difficulties, while unexpected help comes from outsiders.
కట్టినవారు ఒకరు అయితే, కాపురం చేసేవారు మరొకరు
kattinavaru okaru ayite, kapuram chesevaru marokaru
The builder [of a house] is one and he who lives in it is another. " He that buildeth, [ let him be ] as he that shall not dwell therein." 2 Esdras xvi. 42.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person puts in all the hard work, investment, or effort to create something, but a different person ultimately reaps the benefits or enjoys the results. It highlights the irony of life where the creator and the consumer are often different people.
కలుపు తీతకు కత్తిక కావాలా?
kalupu titaku kattika kavala?
Do you need a sickle just to pull out weeds?
This proverb is used to point out when someone is overcomplicating a simple task or seeking unnecessary, elaborate tools for a minor job. It suggests that common sense or minimal effort is sufficient for small problems.
పెట్టితే తింటారుగాని, తిట్టితే పడేవారు లేరు.
pettite tintarugani, tittite padevaru leru.
If you feed, [people] will eat; but if you abuse none will bear it.
This proverb highlights human nature regarding respect and dignity. It means that while people are happy to accept favors or gifts, they will not tolerate being insulted or treated poorly. It is used to advise someone that providing material help does not give them the right to verbal abuse.
పందిరి పడి చచ్చినవారు, ఇల్లు పడి బతికినవారు లేరు
pandiri padi chachchinavaru, illu padi batikinavaru leru
No one has died from a thatched awning falling, and no one has survived a house falling.
This proverb highlights the difference between minor and major calamities. It implies that people usually survive small setbacks (the awning), but a total collapse or major disaster (the house) is rarely something one can recover from. It is often used to emphasize the severity of a situation or the scale of risk involved.
సరిపడనివారు చచ్చినవారితో సమానం
saripadanivaru chachchinavarito samanam
Those who do not get along are equal to those who are dead.
This expression is used to describe an extreme level of enmity or incompatibility between individuals. It suggests that when people have irreconcilable differences or a complete lack of harmony, their relationship is effectively non-existent, as if they are dead to each other. It highlights the social or emotional finality of a deep-seated grudge.
అన్నవారు బాగున్నారు, పడ్డవారు బాగున్నారు, నడుమ ఉన్నవారే నలిగి చచ్చారు.
annavaru bagunnaru, paddavaru bagunnaru, naduma unnavare naligi chachcharu.
Those who said it are fine, those who fell are fine, but those in the middle were crushed to death.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two opposing parties involved in a conflict or a transaction remain unscathed, while the innocent intermediaries or bystanders suffer the most. It highlights the plight of the middleman or the common person caught in the crossfire of others' actions.
ఆర్చేవారు లేరు తీర్చేవారు లేరు అడుగున పడితే లేవదీసేవారు లేరు
archevaru leru tirchevaru leru aduguna padite levadisevaru leru
There is no one to soothe, no one to resolve, and no one to lift you up if you fall to the bottom.
This expression describes a state of total helplessness and isolation. It is used when someone has no family, friends, or support system to offer comfort in grief, solve their problems, or help them recover from a downfall or financial crisis.