తేలుకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, తెల్లవార్లూ అంటపొడిచినదట.
teluku pettanamiste, tellavarlu antapodichinadata.
When the scorpion was given power, it continued stinging until the morning.
This proverb describes the consequences of giving power or responsibility to a wicked or incompetent person. Just as a scorpion's nature is to sting, a malicious person will misuse their authority to cause constant harm or trouble to others once they are in control.
Applied to the abuse of authority by evil persons.
Related Phrases
పేనుకు పెత్తనమిస్తే తలంతా తెగకొరికిందట
penuku pettanamiste talanta tegakorikindata
When power was given to a louse, it bit all over the head.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an undeserving or small-minded person is given power or responsibility, and they end up causing significant harm or abusing that power. It highlights the dangers of entrusting authority to the wrong person.
Abuse of authority.
కుక్కకు పెత్తనమిస్తే కుండలు కెలకదా!
kukkaku pettanamiste kundalu kelakada!
If you give authority to a dog, won't it mess with the pots?
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving responsibility or authority to an unworthy, incompetent, or untrustworthy person. It suggests that such individuals will inevitably misuse their power or cause a mess, as they lack the character or skill to handle the position properly.
తేలుకు పెత్తనం ఇస్తే, తెల్లవార్లు తెగకుట్టిందట!
teluku pettanam iste, tellavarlu tegakuttindata!
If a scorpion is given authority, it will sting relentlessly all night long!
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power to a cruel or incompetent person. Just as a scorpion's nature is to sting, a malicious person will misuse their newfound authority to harass others or cause harm without restraint.
తెల్లవార్లు సరసాలాడినా గొల్లవాడే పుట్టె
tellavarlu sarasaladina gollavade putte
Despite playing romantically all night long, the same cowherd was born.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort, drama, or elaborate processes are undertaken, but the end result is exactly the same as the starting point or as mediocre as before. It signifies a futile or redundant exercise that fails to bring about any real change or superior outcome.
ఎల్లవారమ్మల బ్రతుకు తెల్లవారితే తెలుస్తుంది.
ellavarammala bratuku tellavarite telustundi.
When it dawns, we shall know whose mother is alive. Said by a man to his wife, at whose instigation he had agreed that they should kill his mother. The mothers of the pair slept together and the wife's mother was murdered instead of the husband's, with the latter's knowledge. The wife, having an inkling of the truth, endeavoured to per- suade her husband to go and see which of the two they had spared, and he replied as above.
This proverb implies that the true state or reality of a situation (or someone's life) is revealed when the light of day comes or when the time is right. It is used to suggest that secrets or hidden struggles cannot stay hidden forever and the truth will eventually come to light.
* Απλησιος πίθος.
పేనుకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, తలంతా తెగకొరికి పెట్టిందట
penuku pettanamiste, talanta tegakoriki pettindata
If you give a louse authority, it will bite the entire head off.
This proverb describes a situation where an undeserving, petty, or small-minded person is given power or authority, and they end up abusing it to cause significant damage or nuisance. It is used to caution against putting incompetent or mean-spirited people in charge.
కుక్కకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, చెప్పులన్నీ కొరికి పెట్టినదట
kukkaku pettanamiste, cheppulanni koriki pettinadata
If you give authority to a dog, it will bite all the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power or responsibility to an incompetent, unworthy, or foolish person. Instead of performing the duties properly, such a person will only cause destruction or focus on their base instincts, similar to how a dog given authority over a house would simply ruin the footwear.
దినము మంచిదని తెల్లవార్లూ దొంగిలినట్టు
dinamu manchidani tellavarlu dongilinattu
Trusting to the "lucky day" the thief let the dawn overtake him. Taking advantage of liberty.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who overuses or exploits a favorable situation or a piece of luck to an irrational or dangerous extent. It highlights the foolishness of losing one's sense of caution or proportion just because circumstances seem positive.
పేనుకు పెత్తనమిస్తే తల అంతా కొరికిందట
penuku pettanamiste tala anta korikindata
A louse, if entrusted with authority, only does what it knows to do: it bites the whole
If an unworthy person is given authority, he will misuse it and destroy the whole organization. One should exercise great caution and proper judgment, while selecting the leaders.
మొగుడు కొట్టినాడని మొల్లవాని దగ్గరకు పోతే, మొల్లవాడు తెల్లవార్లూ కొట్టినాడట
mogudu kottinadani mollavani daggaraku pote, mollavadu tellavarlu kottinadata
When she went to the jasmine-seller because her husband beat her, the jasmine-seller beat her all night long.
This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to escape a small problem or a specific hardship by seeking help from another person, only to find themselves in a much worse or more continuous predicament. It is similar to the expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'