విడిబడితే గుర్రము గాడిదెతో సమానము.

vidibadite gurramu gadideto samanamu.

Translation

If a horse gets loose it is like an ass. i. e. it snorts and kicks. Applied to wickedness unrestrained.

Meaning

This expression highlights the importance of discipline, training, and context. A horse is valued for its grace and speed only when it is controlled and purposeful; once it becomes stray or wild without direction, it loses its distinct value and is seen as no better than a common donkey. It is used to suggest that talent without discipline is wasted.

Related Phrases

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

If the rider is new, the horse pretends to be lame.

This proverb describes a situation where an experienced subordinate or a clever person takes advantage of a newcomer or an inexperienced boss. It implies that if the person in charge doesn't know what they are doing, those under them will make excuses or behave lazily to avoid work.

A debt that cannot be recovered is equal to a stone.

This expression is used to describe a situation where money lent to someone is unlikely to be repaid. Just as a stone has no value in financial transactions and cannot be changed or utilized, a bad debt is considered a dead asset. It serves as a warning or a philosophical acceptance of a financial loss.

As he looked and looked the horse turned out a donkey.

This proverb describes a situation where something that initially appeared promising, high-quality, or valuable gradually deteriorated or revealed itself to be mediocre and disappointing. It is often used to criticize a decline in standards, poor maintenance, or the realization that one's high expectations were misplaced.

By close inspection the true state is known.

The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.

The death of ten people is equal to a wedding.

This proverb suggests that when a disaster or misfortune is shared by a large group, it becomes easier to bear than a personal tragedy. Similar to how people gather for a wedding, a collective struggle provides a sense of solidarity and reduces individual grief.

Born to a sorcerer/diviner, yet equal to a standard camphor lamp.

This expression is used to describe someone who comes from an illustrious or highly skilled background but fails to exhibit any extraordinary talent or greatness themselves. It highlights the irony of having a powerful lineage while remaining mediocre or ordinary in one's own capabilities.

Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.

The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.

Looking from the front it seems to be the Brahman's horse, looking from behind it seems to be the Śāhib's. The Kômati's evidence . The words are ambiguous and bear another meaning viz. " Before, this was the Brahman's horse—now, it is the Śāhib's" ( i. e. the Śāhib has taken possession of it ).

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.

While looking and looking, the horse became a donkey.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where something that was initially perceived as high quality, valuable, or promising gradually deteriorates or reveals its true, inferior nature over time. It can also refer to a project or task that started with great ambition but ended with a poor or disappointing result due to neglect or poor management.