వంశమెరిగి వనితను, వన్నె ఎరిగి పశువును కొనాలి.

vamshamerigi vanitanu, vanne erigi pashuvunu konali.

Translation

Check the lineage before marrying a woman; check the quality before buying cattle.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the importance of verifying background and quality before making life-altering decisions. Just as one inspects the physical traits and health of livestock, one should understand the family values and upbringing (lineage) of a partner before marriage, as these factors significantly influence the future of a household.

Related Phrases

Look at the mother before choosing the daughter, look at the teeth before buying the cattle.

This proverb advises that one can judge the character, health, and future potential of something by looking at its origins or physical indicators. Just as a mother's traits often reflect in her child, or a cow's teeth indicate its age and health, we should evaluate the background and fundamental health of an entity before making a commitment.

One should know the lineage before choosing a wife and know the color/quality before buying cattle.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of checking background and character before entering into long-term commitments or significant investments. Just as the physical traits of cattle indicate their health and utility, the upbringing and family values (lineage) of a person are considered indicators of their character in traditional social contexts.

Sow the seed knowing the field, give the gift knowing the recipient.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of context and suitability. Just as a farmer chooses seeds based on the quality of the soil to ensure a good harvest, one should evaluate the merit, character, and need of a person before offering help or charity to ensure it is used effectively.

One should know the joint and brand it.

In the past and also occasionally at present, there is a practice of scorching or branding literally as a therapy. One should identify the problem and take appropriate steps to solve it. In other words, you have to know the sensitive spot and work on it for your success.

[ Form ] your connexions when you know the caste, [ choose ] your residence when you know the place.

This proverb advises caution and due diligence in social and personal life. It suggests that one should understand a person's background and character before establishing a close relationship or marriage alliance, and similarly, one should thoroughly investigate a location's safety, resources, and suitability before settling down there.

Charity according to the recipient, seed according to the field

This proverb emphasizes the importance of discretion and suitability. It means that one should give charity only after judging the worthiness of the recipient (Patra), just as a farmer sows seeds only after assessing the quality of the soil (Kshetra) to ensure a good harvest. It is used to advise someone to be wise and purposeful in their actions and investments.

Give charity after knowing the recipient; sow the seed after knowing the field.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of worthiness and suitability. Just as a seed only thrives in the right soil, charity or help should only be given to those who are deserving and will make good use of it. It advises people to exercise discretion and perform due diligence before making commitments or investments.

Knowing the soil, [sow] seed; knowing the worthiness [give] gifts.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of context and worthiness. Just as a farmer selects seeds based on the quality of the soil to ensure a good harvest, one should evaluate the character and need of a person before giving charity or offering help. It teaches that resources should be utilized where they will be truly valued and effective.

Burning the joint after knowing it, and waiting for the right moment after knowing the convenience.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and precision. It suggests that one should understand the root of a problem or the specific situation (the joint) before acting (cauterizing/burning), and should wait for the most opportune moment to strike or make a move.

They worship the stone animal, but they beat the living animal in their hand.

This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and irony. It refers to people who offer great respect and rituals to idols (stone statues) while mistreating or neglecting the actual living beings or family members right in front of them. It is used to criticize those who value religious symbolism over practical compassion.