వెట్టిముండ వేడుక చూడబోతే, వెతక ఇద్దరు, ఏడువ ఇద్దరు.

vettimunda veduka chudabote, vetaka iddaru, eduva iddaru.

Translation

When a widow who does forced labor goes to see a festival, it takes two to find her and two to cry for her.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where an unfortunate or troublesome person's attempt to enjoy themselves ends up causing double the trouble for everyone else. It is used to highlight how some people are so problematic that even their simple actions require extra supervision or result in a mess that needs cleaning up by others.

Related Phrases

If it is for free, give me two, he said.

This proverb is used to mock people who are overly greedy or take undue advantage when something is offered for free. It describes a situation where someone wants more than they need simply because they don't have to pay for it.

Sparse crop is a celebration for the harvest; dense crop is a celebration for the eyes.

This proverb highlights a practical observation in farming. A sparse crop (pachuni panta) is easy to harvest and manage, making the work celebratory. Conversely, a dense, lush crop (ottu panta) is beautiful to look at and brings joy to the eyes, even if it requires more intensive labor during the harvest.

When the daft creature went to see the show, two had to search, and two to cry [for her.]

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's irresponsible or foolish actions create a huge burden and unnecessary work for everyone else involved. It highlights how one person's lack of common sense can cause chaos that requires multiple people to fix.

If you go forward, she is a dirty woman; if you go backward, she is a mad woman.

This proverb is used to describe a 'catch-22' or a 'no-win' situation where every available option leads to a negative or unpleasant outcome. It is similar to the English expressions 'between a rock and a hard place' or 'between the devil and the deep blue sea.'

It is fun to sing a song one doesn't know, and fun to style a bald head.

This proverb describes a situation where someone enthusiastically attempts tasks they have no aptitude for or tries to manage resources that are non-existent. It is used to mock people who waste effort on futile, clumsy, or unnecessary actions just for the sake of appearances or out of ignorance.

Do not go in front of hot water, and do not go behind a bundle of unpaid labor.

This proverb advises caution and strategic positioning. Walking in front of someone carrying hot water risks getting splashed if they trip. Walking behind someone carrying a heavy load (vetty) is dangerous because the load might fall backward or the person might suddenly drop it. It teaches one to stay alert to their surroundings and avoid positions where others' accidents can cause them harm.

Debt is the enemy of sleep

Borrowed money or debt leads to constant worry and loss of peace of mind. It is used to caution people that taking loans results in restless nights and anxiety until the debt is cleared.

When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.

This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.

Be first for the dal meal and last for the forced labor bundle.

This proverb highlights human nature regarding self-interest and survival. It suggests that one should be quick to participate in rewarding or beneficial situations (like a meal) but should be slow or hesitant to volunteer for difficult, unpaid, or heavy manual labor (vetti).

A husband of two wives

This expression refers to a person caught between two conflicting parties or demands, making it impossible to satisfy both. It is often used to describe someone in a dilemma, facing constant complaints or pressure from two different sides simultaneously.