ఉత్తముండకన్నా అత్తముండ మేలు
uttamundakanna attamunda melu
A wretch of a mother-in-law is better than a strange slut.
This is a sarcastic or cynical proverb used to suggest that a known relative (even one who might be difficult or considered unlucky like a widow in old social contexts) is more reliable or helpful in times of need than a stranger who is merely 'noble' or 'virtuous' in name. It emphasizes that family ties, however flawed, often provide more practical support than the abstract goodness of outsiders.
A bad bush is better than the open field. Better a lean jade than an empty halter.
Related Phrases
పట్టుగుడ్డకు భ్రష్టముండకు అంటులేదు
pattuguddaku bhrashtamundaku antuledu
Silk cloth and a fallen woman have no pollution.
This is a traditional saying used to point out contradictions in rules of ritual purity. It suggests that silk is considered perpetually 'pure' regardless of what touches it, often used as a metaphor to describe people who think they are above the rules or situations where status outweighs social stigma.
చెట్టు ముందా విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్లు
chettu munda vittu munda annatlu
Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.
This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.
ఏరు ముందా ఏరువాక ముందా
eru munda eruvaka munda
Is the river first or the plowing festival first?
This is a rhetorical expression or a riddle-like saying often used to discuss the cyclical nature of things or to question priorities. 'Eruvaka' refers to the traditional festival marking the beginning of the plowing season. It highlights the deep connection between the arrival of rains (rivers) and the start of agricultural activity.
సుత్తె ముందా? కారు ముందా?
sutte munda? karu munda?
Was the hammer first, or were the tongs ?
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme confusion, circular logic, or a 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to the irony that a blacksmith needs a hammer to make pincers, but needs pincers to hold the metal to make a hammer. It is often used to mock someone who is confused about the order of operations or stuck in a paradox.
పాతముండలందరూ పోగై, కొత్తముండ తాడు తెంపినట్లు.
patamundalandaru pogai, kottamunda tadu tempinatlu.
Like all the old widows gathering together to snap the thread of a new widow.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where experienced people who have already suffered a misfortune or are in a bad state, influence or force a newcomer into the same miserable condition. It highlights the toxic behavior of groups who, instead of helping someone avoid their fate, actively work to ensure the new person suffers just like they did.
పాతముండ కలవరిస్తే కొత్తముండకు దయ్యం పట్టినట్లు
patamunda kalavariste kottamundaku dayyam pattinatlu
When the old widow babbles in her sleep, it is as if the new widow is possessed by a ghost.
This proverb describes a situation where an experienced person says something casually or out of habit, but an inexperienced or fearful person takes it too seriously and reacts with unnecessary panic. It highlights how fear and lack of experience can lead one to misinterpret a trivial situation as a major crisis.
గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు.
guddi kanna mella melu.
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or partial is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Half a loaf is better than no bread' or 'Something is better than nothing.'
Of two evils choose the least.
లగ్గం ముందా పల్లకి ముందా అన్నాట్ట
laggam munda pallaki munda annatta
Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.
పాతముండలందరూ పోగయి కొత్తముండ తాడు తెంపినట్టు.
patamundalandaru pogayi kottamunda tadu tempinattu.
Like the old widows assembling to break the marriage cord of a new widow. A gang of rascals conspiring to ruin a new comer, who they fear will be in their way.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a group of people who are already in a miserable or failed state influence a newcomer to join their ranks or suffer the same fate. It highlights how people in bad circumstances sometimes collectively ensure that others don't fare better than them, or how bad company can quickly lead someone to ruin.
వండే అమ్మ కన్నా, వడ్డించే అమ్మ మేలు
vande amma kanna, vaddinche amma melu
The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.
This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.