విధవకు మొక్కితే నాలాగా నూరేళ్లు వర్ధిల్లమందట, రెండోసారి మొక్కితే నా మొగుడిలా వర్ధిల్లమందట
vidhavaku mokkite nalaga nurellu vardhillamandata, rendosari mokkite na mogudila vardhillamandata
When someone bowed to a widow, she blessed them to live a hundred years like her; when they bowed a second time, she blessed them to live like her husband.
This satirical proverb highlights the irony of seeking advice or blessings from someone who is in a miserable or failed state themselves. Since a widow (in traditional context) has lost her husband and lives a life of sorrow, her blessing 'to be like her' or 'to be like her deceased husband' is actually a curse. It is used when a foolish person asks for help from someone who has already failed in that very endeavor.
Related Phrases
రాజుగారి భార్య మేడెక్కితే కుమ్మరి వాడి కోడలు గుడిసెక్కిందట
rajugari bharya medekkite kummari vadi kodalu gudisekkindata
When the king's wife climbed the palace, the potter's daughter-in-law climbed her hut.
This expression is used to mock someone who blindly tries to imitate people far above their status or means, often in a way that is ridiculous or unnecessary. It highlights the folly of mindless competition without considering one's own circumstances.
ముండమోపి కాళ్ళకు మొక్కితే, నీవు కూడా నా వలెనే వర్ధిల్లమని దీవించినదట.
mundamopi kallaku mokkite, nivu kuda na valene vardhillamani divinchinadata.
When someone bowed to a widow's feet, she blessed them saying, 'May you flourish just like me.'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks advice, help, or a blessing from an incompetent person or someone in a miserable state, only to receive a 'blessing' that would bring the same misfortune upon them. It highlights the futility of seeking guidance from those who have failed or are in a wretched position themselves.
రాజుగారి పెళ్ళాం మేడ ఎక్కితే, కుమ్మరివాడి పెళ్ళాం అటకెక్కిందట.
rajugari pellam meda ekkite, kummarivadi pellam atakekkindata.
When the King's wife went up to the balcony, the potter's wife climbed onto the attic.
This proverb is used to mock people who blindly imitate others who are far more capable or wealthy, without considering their own status or limitations. It highlights the absurdity of trying to match someone else's lifestyle or actions when one doesn't have the same means.
విధవకు మొక్కితే, నావలెనే వెయ్యేళ్ళు వర్దిల్లు మన్నదిట; రెండోసారి దండం బెట్టితే, నా మొగుడు మాదిరే బ్రతుక మన్నదట
vidhavaku mokkite, navalene veyyellu vardillu mannadita; rendosari dandam bettite, na mogudu madire bratuka mannadata
When bowed to a widow, she said 'Live for a thousand years like me'; when bowed a second time, she said 'Live like my husband'
This proverb highlights the irony of seeking blessings or advice from someone who is in a miserable or unfortunate state. It suggests that a person who has lost everything cannot truly wish a better fate for others than what they have experienced. It is used to caution against following the guidance of those whose own lives are in ruin.
అందరూ అందలమెక్కితే మోసేవాళ్ళెవరు?
andaru andalamekkite mosevallevaru?
If everyone sits in the palanquin, who will carry it?
This proverb highlights the necessity of a social hierarchy or division of labor. It is used to point out that not everyone can be a leader or a boss; for a task or society to function, some people must perform the actual labor. It is often said when everyone wants to enjoy privileges or give orders without anyone willing to do the hard work.
మూడేళ్ళనాటి గుణం నూరేళ్ళ వరకూ ఉంటుందట.
mudellanati gunam nurella varaku untundata.
A habit formed at the age of three will last for a hundred years.
This proverb emphasizes that character traits and habits developed in early childhood are deeply ingrained and likely to persist throughout a person's entire life. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Old habits die hard' or 'The child is father of the man.'
తెల్లగా ఉంటే పాలు, నల్లగా ఉంటే నీళ్లు
tellaga unte palu, nallaga unte nillu
If it's white it's milk, if it's dark it's water. Said of a simple minded, guileless man.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely naive, innocent, or gullible. It refers to someone who lacks discernment and blindly believes whatever they are told based on superficial appearances without any critical thinking.
నిట్టాడు తొక్కకు పిల్లా అంటే మా ఆయనకు నేను రెండో సంబంధం అన్నదట
nittadu tokkaku pilla ante ma ayanaku nenu rendo sambandham annadata
When told, 'Child, don't step on the threshold/pillar,' she replied, 'I am the second wife to my husband.'
This expression is used to describe a person who gives a completely irrelevant or out-of-context response to a simple instruction or advice. It highlights a situation where someone reveals unnecessary personal details or displays defensive vanity instead of just following a basic rule or suggestion.
ఢిల్లీకి ఢిల్లీ, పల్లెకు పల్లె
dhilliki dhilli, palleku palle
Delhi to Delhi, village to village. Great people with great, little with little.
This expression emphasizes that every place or person has their own distinct importance, status, and rules. It is used to suggest that one should not compare things that are fundamentally different in scale or nature, or to imply that everyone is a 'king' in their own territory.
అల్లమంటే తెలియదా బెల్లం మాదిరి పుల్లగా ఉంటుంది అన్నాడట
allamante teliyada bellam madiri pullaga untundi annadata
When asked about ginger, he said 'Don't I know? It is sour just like jaggery'.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to be an expert or highly knowledgeable about a subject when they actually lack even the most basic understanding of it. It highlights the absurdity of giving a confidently wrong answer where the description (sour jaggery) contradicts the actual nature of the object (pungent ginger).