ఉద్ధతుల మధ్య పేద కుండ తరమే?
uddhatula madhya peda kunda tarame?
Will a poor person's pot survive among the arrogant?
This proverb highlights the vulnerability of the weak or poor when caught in the middle of a conflict or rivalry between powerful, arrogant people. Just as a fragile earthen pot would be easily shattered if caught between fighting giants, common people often suffer the most during the power struggles of the elite. It is used to describe situations where the innocent or underprivileged are collateral damage in larger disputes.
Related Phrases
పడతులకు బుద్ధి పెడతల నుండు
padatulaku buddhi pedatala nundu
Women's wisdom resides at the back of their heads
This is a traditional Telugu proverb often used to remark that women tend to realize the consequences of an action after it has happened rather than beforehand. In modern contexts, it is sometimes viewed as a stereotypical or sexist remark about feminine foresight, but it remains a common idiomatic expression to describe hindsight.
కడుపులో చల్ల కదల కుండా
kadupulo challa kadala kunda
Without the buttermilk in the stomach even moving
This expression is used to describe a state of absolute comfort, ease, or luxury where a person doesn't have to perform any physical labor or face any hardships. It literally suggests a life so stable and smooth that even the liquid in one's stomach remains undisturbed.
శిష్యా శిష్యా నా కాళ్ళకు చెప్పులున్నాయా అంటే, నక్షత్రమండలం ఈ మధ్య కనబడలేదు అన్నాడట.
shishya shishya na kallaku cheppulunnaya ante, nakshatramandalam i madhya kanabadaledu annadata.
When [the Guru] said "O disciple! disciple! are there shoes on my feet? [the pupil] replied "I don't see them between this and the stars." The Guru and his pupil were both gluttons, but the disciple excelled his master. On one occasion when the Guru—who had eaten so much that he could not see his toes which were numb—asked his pupil to inform him whether his shoes were on, the latter—who was filled up to his neck and was obliged to keep his face towards the sky—replied as above. To have a belly up to one's mouth. (*Spanish*)
This expression is used to describe an irrelevant or nonsensical response to a straightforward question. It highlights a lack of focus, poor communication, or someone being 'lost in the clouds' instead of addressing the immediate reality.
సభ మధ్య సాలె చాకలి, పండితుల మధ్య పగటివేషధారి
sabha madhya sale chakali, panditula madhya pagativeshadhari
A weaver or washerman in the middle of a formal gathering, and a street performer among scholars.
This expression describes a person who is a total misfit or an impostor in a particular setting. It refers to someone who lacks the necessary knowledge or qualifications to be in a specific group, such as an uneducated person trying to participate in a scholarly debate or an ordinary person pretending to be an expert.
సన్యాసుల మధ్య కల్లు కుండలు మాయమైనట్లు
sanyasula madhya kallu kundalu mayamainatlu
Like toddy pots disappearing among ascetics
This expression is used to describe a situation where something supposedly forbidden or inappropriate is secretly consumed or stolen by people who pretend to be virtuous. It highlights hypocrisy, where those who claim to be holy or disciplined (sanyasis) are the ones secretly indulging in vices (drinking toddy), leading to the 'mysterious' disappearance of the items.
పంచాగ్ని మధ్యమందున్నట్లు
panchagni madhyamandunnatlu
Like being in the middle of five fires
This expression describes a situation where a person is surrounded by overwhelming difficulties, intense pressure, or severe tests from all directions. It is often used to convey a state of extreme distress or being trapped in a highly stressful environment.
శ్రీవైష్ణవుల మధ్య రొయ్యల బుట్టలాగా
shrivaishnavula madhya royyala buttalaga
Like a basket of prawns in the midst of Sri Vaishnavites
This expression is used to describe a person or object that is completely out of place, unwelcome, or contradictory to the surroundings. Sri Vaishnavites are traditionally strict vegetarians, and placing a basket of prawns (non-vegetarian) among them represents a stark, awkward, and inappropriate contrast.
లేదంటే పోతుందా పేదల మునక?
ledante potunda pedala munaka?
Will a poor person's bath be skipped just because they can't afford it?
This expression is used to emphasize that essential tasks or natural cycles do not stop just because one lacks resources or faces difficulties. It implies that life goes on and necessary actions must be performed regardless of one's financial or social status.
కాకుల మధ్య కోకిల
kakula madhya kokila
A cuckoo among crows
This expression refers to someone who stands out as superior, talented, or graceful while surrounded by ordinary or inferior people. It is used to describe a person of quality in an environment where others lack that same refinement or skill.
పేదల కోపం పెదవికి చేటు
pedala kopam pedaviki chetu
The anger of the poor is a danger to their own lips
This proverb implies that when people without power or resources get angry, they cannot harm those they are angry at; instead, they only end up hurting themselves. It is used to describe a situation where expressing frustration is futile or self-destructive due to one's lack of influence.