తుప్పర్ల పసేగాని, మంత్రాల వస లేదు.
tupparla pasegani, mantrala vasa ledu.
The beauty of his slobberings, not of his mantras.
This expression is used to describe someone who talks excessively or makes a lot of noise but produces no actual results or substance. It refers to a situation where there is much ado about nothing, or when someone's actions are just a superficial display without any real skill or efficacy.
Related Phrases
నిష్ఠ నీళ్ల పాలు, మంత్రము మాలల పాలు
nishtha nilla palu, mantramu malala palu
His religious rites go to the water, and his Mantras to the Pariahs. Said of a great formalist. Most of the religious rites of the Brahmans are performed with water. The sacred formulas ( Mantras ) ought according to the Śāstras to be pronounced in a low voice, inaudible to the people.
This expression describes a situation where all the hard work, discipline, or ritualistic effort put into a task goes to waste due to a small mistake or lack of focus. It is used when someone meticulously follows a process but fails at the final stage, rendering the entire effort useless.
బొట్టు పసేగాని, బోనం పసలేదు
bottu pasegani, bonam pasaledu
The bindi (decoration) has splendor, but the meal has no substance.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a lot of external show, pomp, or decoration, but the core essence or quality is lacking. It refers to something that looks impressive on the outside but is disappointing in reality.
అన్నీ రుచులు సరేగాని, అందులో ఉప్పు లేదు
anni ruchulu saregani, andulo uppu ledu
All flavors are fine, but there is no salt in it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where everything appears perfect or complete on the surface, but a crucial, essential element is missing that makes the entire effort useless. Just as salt is vital for a meal's taste, certain tasks or relationships are incomplete without their core requirement.
సోదిచెప్తే సోదమ్మి, మంత్రమేస్తే మంత్రగత్తె
sodichepte sodammi, mantrameste mantragatte
If she tells fortunes, she is a fortune-teller; if she casts spells, she is a sorceress.
This proverb describes a fickle or judgmental society that labels individuals based on their current actions or whatever role is convenient at the moment. It is often used to highlight how people change their perception or labels for someone based on the circumstances or the specific task being performed.
చూపుల వశమేగాని, చెవుల వశం లేదు
chupula vashamegani, chevula vasham ledu
It is within the control of sight, but not within the control of ears.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone can see the consequences or a solution clearly with their eyes, but the person involved is unwilling to listen to advice or reason. It highlights the gap between observing a reality and getting someone to acknowledge or obey it through verbal communication.
మంత్రంలో పసలేకపోయినా తుంపర్లకు కొదవ లేదు
mantramlo pasalekapoyina tumparlaku kodava ledu
Even if there is no power in the mantra, there is no shortage of spit droplets.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks real substance, skill, or power in their work but makes a lot of noise or puts on a big show. Just as a priest might not know the actual hymns (mantras) but spits a lot while chanting, it refers to situations where the external display is excessive while the core quality is missing.
మీసాల పసేగాని, కోస నా బట్ట
misala pasegani, kosa na batta
The mustache has brilliance, but the garment is tattered.
This proverb is used to describe someone who maintains an outward appearance of pride, dignity, or wealth (symbolized by a grand mustache) but is actually living in poverty or lacks basic necessities (symbolized by the torn cloth). It highlights the irony of people who prioritize vanity over their actual struggling reality.
మంత్రంలో పసలేకపోయినా తుంపర్లకు తక్కువలేదు.
mantramlo pasalekapoyina tumparlaku takkuvaledu.
Even if there is no power in the chant, there is no shortage of spit.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's actions or words lack substance, quality, or effectiveness, yet they are accompanied by a lot of unnecessary noise, fuss, or superficial display. It is often applied to people who talk grandly or perform elaborate rituals without achieving any real results.
నల్ల పూసకు తెల్ల పూస లేదు, తెల్ల పూసకు నల్ల పూస లేదు
nalla pusaku tella pusa ledu, tella pusaku nalla pusa ledu
For the black bead there is no white bead, and for the white bead there is no black bead. Said by a wretchedly poor woman who could not afford to buy white beads when she had black, or black when she had white. The beads are strung alternately and used as a necklace by poor women who have not the means of getting gold or silver ornaments.—Hindu married women are not permitted to appear without some neck ornament however trifling the value of it may be.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely alone, has no relatives, or no connections whatsoever. It signifies absolute isolation or the lack of any support system, often used when referring to a person who has no family to call their own.
* Trane, schau Wem! † Fidati era un buon uomo, Noutifdare era meglio.
మంత్రాల బువ్వ కడుపులోనికి పోతే యంత్రాలు చేయిస్తుంది. యంత్రాల బువ్వ కడుపులోనికి పోతే తంత్రాలు చేయిస్తుంది.
mantrala buvva kadupuloniki pote yantralu cheyistundi. yantrala buvva kadupuloniki pote tantralu cheyistundi.
If the food of mantras enters the stomach, it makes one create machines; if the food of machines enters the stomach, it makes one plot schemes.
This proverb reflects on how the nature of the sustenance or environment one grows up in influences their character and actions. Historically, it suggests that knowledge or 'sacred' food leads to creation and ingenuity (yantras), while an obsession with mechanical or materialistic food (power/greed) leads to cunning behavior and manipulation (tantras).