తేనెపోసి పెంచినా ముష్టి చెట్టుకు విషము పోదు.
teneposi penchina mushti chettuku vishamu podu.
Even if you grow a Strychnine tree by pouring honey, its poison will not leave.
This proverb means that a person's inherent nature or character cannot be changed, regardless of how much kindness you show them or how well you treat them. It is used to describe individuals who remain wicked or ungrateful despite receiving great benefits or positive influence.
Related Phrases
పాలు పోసి పెంచినా వేపకు చేదు పోదు
palu posi penchina vepaku chedu podu
Even if you water a neem tree with milk, its bitterness will not go away.
This proverb describes the innate nature of people or things. It suggests that a person's fundamental character or a thing's inherent quality cannot be changed, no matter how much kindness, education, or resources are provided. It is typically used to remark on someone who remains wicked or ungrateful despite being treated very well.
పాముకు పాలుపోసి పెంచినట్టు
pamuku paluposi penchinattu
Like feeding milk and raising a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone helps or nurtures a person who is inherently dangerous or ungrateful, and who will eventually turn around and harm their benefactor. It serves as a warning against trusting or aiding individuals with a malicious nature.
చెట్టుకు విస్తళ్ళు కట్టినట్లు
chettuku vistallu kattinatlu
Like tying leaf plates back onto the tree
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to fix or undo something that is already broken, finished, or irreversibly changed in a way that is unnatural or futile. It refers to the impossible task of making a cut leaf part of the living tree again.
పాలు పోసి పెంచినా పాముకు విషం పోదు
palu posi penchina pamuku visham podu
Even if you feed a snake milk, its venom will not disappear.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is inherently wicked or malicious. It implies that no matter how much kindness, care, or nurturing you provide to someone with an evil nature, they will still retain their original bad character and may eventually harm you.
పాలుబోసి పెంచినా ముష్టి చెట్టుకు విషము పోదు
palubosi penchina mushti chettuku vishamu podu
Even if you nurture a strychnine tree by pouring milk, its poison will not disappear.
This proverb is used to describe a person whose inherent evil or wicked nature cannot be changed, no matter how much kindness, education, or good treatment they receive. Just as a poisonous tree remains toxic despite being watered with milk, some people's core character remains unchanged by external goodness.
ముష్టిలో ముష్టి ధర్మ ముష్టి
mushtilo mushti dharma mushti
Among the fists, the fist of charity.
This expression is a play on words using 'Mushti' (which can mean both 'a fist' and 'begging/alms'). It highlights the ironic situation where someone who is already poor or a beggar themselves tries to help another beggar. It is used to describe an act of charity performed by those who have very little to give, emphasizing that even the smallest act of kindness from the poor is significant.
పాముకు విషము పండ్లలోనే ఉన్నది.
pamuku vishamu pandlalone unnadi.
A snake's poison is in its fangs. Said of a man ready for any villainy.
This expression is used to describe people who hide their malice or harmful intentions behind their speech or physical features. It suggests that while a snake carries its danger in its fangs, certain individuals carry their 'poison' in their words or specific actions, warning others to be cautious of where the real danger lies.
ముష్టిలో ముష్టి, ధర్మముష్టి
mushtilo mushti, dharmamushti
Alms within alms, righteous alms
This expression refers to a situation where someone who is already in a state of seeking help or living on charity decides to share a portion of what they have received with someone even more needy. It signifies an act of extreme generosity or charity performed by a person who themselves has very little.
విషములో పుట్టిన పురుగుకు విషమే ఆహారం.
vishamulo puttina puruguku vishame aharam.
For a worm born in poison, poison itself is the food.
This expression suggests that individuals become accustomed to the environment they are raised in, no matter how toxic or harsh it may be. It is used to describe people who have grown up in negative circumstances and therefore find those conditions normal or even necessary for their survival.
పాలు పోసి పెంచినా పాము కరవక మానదు
palu posi penchina pamu karavaka manadu
Even if you nourish a snake with milk, it will not stop biting.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is inherently wicked or ungrateful. It suggests that even if you treat someone very well or show them extreme kindness, their true negative nature will eventually reveal itself and they may still harm you.