తాను ఎరుగని కల్ల లేదు, తల్లి ఎరుగని కులం లేదు.
tanu erugani kalla ledu, talli erugani kulam ledu.
There is no lie unknown to oneself, and there is no lineage unknown to the mother.
This proverb emphasizes absolute truth and intimacy. Just as a person internally knows when they are lying regardless of what they tell the world, a mother knows the true origin and character of her children better than anyone else. It is used to suggest that some facts are impossible to hide from those at the source.
Related Phrases
చద్దికూడు తిన్నమ్మకు మొగుడి ఆకలి తెలియదు
chaddikudu tinnammaku mogudi akali teliyadu
A woman who has already eaten cold leftovers cannot understand her husband's hunger.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already comfortable, satisfied, or has their needs met fails to empathize with the struggles or urgency of others. It highlights a lack of empathy or perspective when one is in a privileged or secure position compared to those around them.
సూదేటుగాణ్ణి, సుత్తేటుగాణ్ణి, కండేటుగాణ్ణి నమ్మకూడదు.
sudetuganni, suttetuganni, kandetuganni nammakudadu.
Do not trust the needle-worker, the hammer-worker, or the weaver.
This is a traditional proverb highlighting a belief that certain professions (tailors, blacksmiths/goldsmiths, and weavers) are prone to delaying work or withholding material. It suggests being cautious with their promises regarding deadlines and material honesty.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu
Hunger knows no taste, sleep knows no comfort.
When someone is truly hungry, they don't care about the taste or quality of the food; they just want to eat. Similarly, when someone is exhausted and needs sleep, they don't care about the comfort or luxury of the bed; they can sleep anywhere. This expression is used to highlight that basic survival needs override preferences or luxuries.
మన చెట్టుకాని కాయ ఒళ్లెరుగని శివమా?
mana chettukani kaya ollerugani shivama?
Is a fruit not from our tree a Shiva (possession) that the body doesn't recognize?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to be unfamiliar with something or someone they are actually very well-acquainted with. It refers to a person feigning ignorance or lack of connection to their own roots or relatives for convenience or pretense.
చేటూపాటూ ఎరగనమ్మ మొగుడి పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళిందట
chetupatu eraganamma mogudi pelliki vellindata
The woman who doesn't know the difference between misfortune and fortune went to her husband's wedding.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense, social awareness, or the ability to distinguish between a favorable and an unfavorable situation. It mocks the absurdity of someone celebrating or participating in an event that is actually detrimental to them.
చిక్కినవాడు సిగ్గెరుగడు, బలసినవాడు వావి ఎరుగడు
chikkinavadu siggerugadu, balasinavadu vavi erugadu
The person who is thin (destitute) knows no shame, and the one who is fat (arrogant/powerful) knows no relationship.
This proverb describes how extreme circumstances change human behavior. A person who is starving or in desperate poverty loses their sense of shame because survival becomes their only priority. Conversely, a person who is blinded by wealth, power, or arrogance often ignores social boundaries, ethics, and family ties (kinship). It is used to comment on how desperation and vanity can both erode a person's character.
ఏమీ ఎరుగని పిల్ల, మామను మరిగిందట
emi erugani pilla, mamanu marigindata
The girl who knows nothing is obsessed with her father-in-law.
This expression is used to describe someone who pretends to be innocent, naive, or ignorant, but in reality, they are cunning enough to pursue their own interests or engage in inappropriate behavior. It highlights the hypocrisy of those who feign ignorance while acting cleverly for their own gain.
చేటూపాటూ ఎరగనమ్మ ఇల్లెక్కి పిండి కొట్టిందట
chetupatu eraganamma illekki pindi kottindata
The woman who didn't know the proper way to use a winnowing basket climbed onto the roof to pound the flour.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic knowledge or skills but attempts to perform a task in a ridiculous, overly complicated, or grand manner. It mocks someone who, instead of learning the fundamental way of doing things, acts foolishly while pretending to be busy or productive.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు, వలపు సిగ్గెరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu, valapu siggerugadu
Hunger doesn't know taste, sleep doesn't know comfort, and love doesn't know shame.
This proverb highlights how basic instincts and strong emotions override physical conditions or social norms. When a person is extremely hungry, they don't care about the taste of the food; when extremely tired, they don't need a soft bed; and when in love, they lose their sense of inhibition or shame.
ముప్పొద్దు తిన్నమ్మ మొగుడి ఆకలి ఎరుగదు
muppoddu tinnamma mogudi akali erugadu
A woman who eats three meals a day does not understand her husband's hunger.
This proverb describes a situation where a person who is comfortable or has their needs fulfilled fails to empathize with the struggles or suffering of others. It is used to criticize lack of empathy or selfishness in those who are privileged.