విరిదాస్తే తావి దాగుతుందా?

viridaste tavi dagutunda?

Translation

If you hide a flower, can you hide its fragrance?

Meaning

This proverb is used to imply that the truth, talent, or a major event cannot be kept secret forever. Just as a flower's scent spreads even if the flower itself is concealed, certain things are bound to become public knowledge eventually.

Related Phrases

Will lust decrease if one wears a religious mark (Naamam)?

This proverb highlights that outward displays of piety or religious symbols do not necessarily change one's internal character or base desires. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the futility of using external rituals to mask internal flaws.

One who eats it raw because it might shrink if dried.

This expression describes an extremely stingy or miserly person. It refers to someone who is so obsessed with quantity and saving that they would rather consume something in its inferior, raw state (like wet grain or wood) just to avoid the natural, slight loss in volume or weight that occurs during the drying process.

When a quarrelsome woman creates a scene in public, a decent woman hides behind the pots.

This proverb describes a social dynamic where aggressive or loud people dominate public spaces, while dignified or well-behaved individuals tend to withdraw or hide to avoid conflict or shame. It is used to explain why decent people often stay quiet when faced with rowdy or confrontational individuals.

If one loses their character, their glory diminishes.

This proverb emphasizes that a person's reputation and status (glory) are directly tied to their conduct and character. If one deviates from their values or loses their integrity, their social standing and respect will naturally decline. It is used to advise someone to maintain their standards to preserve their dignity.

Once it crosses the lips, it crosses the world.

This proverb warns about the power of secrets and rumors. Once a secret is spoken aloud to someone else, it can no longer be contained and will spread rapidly to everyone.

If you sell a dog, will the money bark?

This proverb is used to illustrate that money obtained from any source—even through questionable or low-status means—has the same value and function as any other money. It implies that the origin of the wealth does not change its utility, often used in contexts discussing the nature of profit or earnings.

A stone thrown by a madman may hit or it may miss.

This proverb is used to describe an unpredictable outcome or a situation governed purely by chance rather than skill or logic. It suggests that when dealing with an unstable person or a disorganized plan, the result is entirely accidental—success is a stroke of luck and failure is just as likely, so one should not depend on it.

A stingy person who exists is better than a generous donor who does not.

This expression is used to highlight that it is better to have access to limited resources or a person who is slightly miserly but present, rather than relying on the promises or thoughts of someone who is non-existent or unavailable. It is often used in contexts where people are waiting for an ideal solution that may never come instead of using what is currently available.

Will the quantity decrease if you count them?

This expression is used when someone is reluctant to share or reveal a large quantity of items out of fear that counting or showcasing them will somehow diminish their value or amount. It highlights the irrationality of being overly secretive or stingy when nothing is actually lost by being transparent or acknowledging the truth.

Will the wedding stop if you hide the grinding stone?

This proverb is used to point out that minor obstacles or petty attempts to sabotage a major event or process cannot stop it from happening. Just as a wedding will proceed even if a small ritual object like a grinding stone is hidden, significant life events or inevitable outcomes cannot be prevented by small-minded interference.