విన్నవి అన్నీ విశ్వసించవద్దు, విశ్వసించినవి అన్నీ వెలిబుచ్చవద్దు.

vinnavi anni vishvasinchavaddu, vishvasinchinavi anni velibuchchavaddu.

Translation

Don't believe all you hear, don't divulge all you believe. Do not all you can ; spend not all you have ; believe not all you hear ; and tell not all you know.

Meaning

This proverb advises discretion and skepticism. It cautions against being gullible by trusting all rumors or information received (hearsay), and simultaneously warns to be guarded with one's own thoughts and convictions rather than sharing them indiscriminately with everyone.

Related Phrases

The faith of a Kômaṭi. Faithlessness.

This expression refers to a double-edged or unreliable trust. It is used to describe a situation where someone's loyalty or commitment is solely dependent on their own profit or benefit, suggesting that their allegiance may shift as soon as the circumstances are no longer advantageous to them.

Viśvâmitra must have himself called a Brahmanshi from the mouth of Vasishtha. Vasishtha was a celebrated priestly sage ( Brahmanshi ). Viśvâmitra, once a king, had by penance become a royal Ṛishi ( Râjarshi ) but persisted in austerities until Vasishtha was compelled to acknowledge him as a Brahmanshi. ( See Bâlakâṇḍa of the Râmâyana.*—Also Muir’s Sanskrit Texts Part. I. )

This expression highlights that true recognition or a title is only valid when it is acknowledged by one's greatest rival or a peer of the highest caliber. It originates from the mythological rivalry where King Vishwamitra performed intense penance to become a Brahmarshi, but his status was only truly validated when his adversary, Sage Vashistha, finally addressed him as one.

* चत्ववेदविदां श्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मवेदविदामपि। ब्रह्मपुत्तो वशिष्ठो मामेवं वदतु देवताः॥

The trust of a delicate woman is like friendship with snakes.

This traditional expression suggests that some people's loyalty or trust can be unpredictable and dangerous. It is used to caution someone about placing complete faith in individuals who might be fickle or potentially harmful, drawing a comparison to the inherent danger of befriending venomous snakes.

The knave gets rice and curds, the honest man gets rice and warm water. The more rogue the more luck. The devil's children have the devil's luck.

This proverb highlights the unfair irony often found in society where cunning or dishonest people (tātōtugāni) manage to enjoy luxuries like curd rice, while honest and loyal people (viśwāsamukalavāni) end up with the barest of necessities like plain rice and hot water. It is used to describe situations where merit and loyalty are undervalued compared to trickery.

A fowl has no happiness and a Kômaṭi has no feeling. The Kômaṭis are a class of shopkeepers.

This proverb describes the inherent nature of certain entities. It suggests that a hen is always busy scratching the ground for food (never resting), and traditionally implies that in business, a merchant prioritizes profit over personal loyalty or trust. It is used to describe situations where constant restlessness or self-interest is expected.

Curd rice for the flatterer, stale rice for the loyal one.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an undeserving person who uses flattery or deceit receives high rewards and luxuries, while a loyal, hardworking, and honest person is neglected or given the bare minimum. It highlights the unfairness in how some leaders or masters treat their subordinates.

When asked the price of rice (paddy), Veera Reddy, who was suffering from swollen testicles, replied: 'If I didn't have these, why would I be worrying about those?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is so overwhelmed by a severe personal problem or physical pain that they lose interest in worldly matters, business, or common logic. It highlights that one's immediate suffering takes precedence over everything else, sometimes leading to irritable or irrelevant responses to unrelated questions.

Do not believe everything you hear, and do not express everything you believe.

This proverb advises caution in both processing information and sharing it. It suggests that one should exercise skepticism toward rumors or hearsay, and even when one holds a firm belief or knows a truth, it is often wise to remain silent rather than speaking out indiscriminately.

A corpse that has lost its faith/loyalty is said to have caught the person who carried it.

This proverb is used to describe an ungrateful person who causes trouble for the very person who helped or supported them during a difficult time. It highlights the irony and bitterness of being betrayed by someone you served or rescued.

Curd rice for the trickster, and thin gruel for the faithful one.

This proverb reflects a cynical observation of social injustice where deceitful or manipulative people (Taatotugadu) often enjoy luxuries and comforts, while honest and loyal people (Vishwasamu kalavadu) suffer in poverty or receive the bare minimum. It is used to describe situations where merit and loyalty are overlooked in favor of flattery or cunningness.