వ్రాత రానివాడు కోత కరణం, వ్రాతా కోతా రానివాడు మేతకరణం.
vrata ranivadu kota karanam, vrata kota ranivadu metakaranam.
One who cannot write becomes a harvest clerk, one who can neither write nor harvest becomes a grazing clerk.
This proverb is a sarcastic take on incompetence and nepotism. It describes how people who lack basic skills for a job are often shuffled into unnecessary or invented administrative roles ('clerk' positions) where they contribute nothing but still consume resources. It is used to mock bureaucracy or people who hold titles without having the actual capability to perform work.
Related Phrases
కలుపు తీయనివాడు కోత కోయడు.
kalupu tiyanivadu kota koyadu.
The one who does not remove the weeds will not reap the harvest.
This proverb emphasizes that success requires hard work and maintenance. Just as a farmer cannot expect a good yield if they don't remove weeds from the field, a person cannot achieve goals without addressing obstacles or putting in the necessary effort throughout the process. It is used to highlight the importance of diligence and the law of consequences.
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
ఓపనివాడు కోరనిదీ, ఓల్లనివాడు ఆడనిదీ లేదు.
opanivadu koranidi, ollanivadu adanidi ledu.
There is nothing a lazy person doesn't wish for, and nothing a hater doesn't say.
This proverb describes two types of people: a lazy person (opani vaadu) who desires everything without wanting to work for it, and a spiteful person (ollani vaadu) who will resort to any lie or criticism against someone they dislike. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of wanting results without effort or the tendency of people to badmouth those they are biased against.
ఓపనివాడు కోరనిదీ, ఒంటనివాడు ఆడనిదీ లేదు.
opanivadu koranidi, ontanivadu adanidi ledu.
There is nothing which an invalid will not ask for; and there is nothing which an envious man will not say.
This proverb describes human nature regarding laziness and jealousy. It implies that a person who is unable or unwilling to work (incapable) often makes grand demands or wishes for things without effort, while a person who cannot tolerate others' success (envious) will spread rumors or say anything to belittle them. It is used to criticize those who talk big but do nothing, or those who gossip out of spite.
రాగము రానివాడూ, రోగము లేనివాడూ లేడు
ragamu ranivadu, rogamu lenivadu ledu
There is no one who cannot hum a tune, there is no one free from disease.
This expression suggests that everyone has some hidden talent or inclination toward music (or emotion), just as everyone has some physical or mental imperfection. It is used to highlight the commonality of human traits and the inevitability of minor flaws in every individual.
* Veritas non quaerit angulos.
రానివాడి మీద రాయి.
ranivadi mida rayi.
A stone on him who won't come! An imprecation used with reference to a man who refuses an invitation.
This expression is used to describe an attempt or a guess made when there is nothing to lose. It implies taking a chance or a 'shot in the dark' where if it succeeds, it's a gain, and if it fails, there is no loss since the outcome was already uncertain or unlikely.
మేతకరణమేగాని కూతకరణం గాదు.
metakaranamegani kutakaranam gadu.
It is for grazing (eating), not for lowing (shouting).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is very active when it comes to consuming or taking benefits but remains silent or inactive when it is time to work, speak up, or contribute. It highlights a selfish or lazy nature where one is present only for the 'eating' part and absent for the 'effort' part.
ఓకారము రానివాడు వడ్లు గుణించినట్టు.
okaramu ranivadu vadlu guninchinattu.
Like one who does not know the alphabet attempting multiplication.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic, fundamental knowledge of a subject yet attempts to perform complex tasks within that field. It highlights the absurdity of someone skipping the basics and trying to handle advanced matters, leading to inevitable failure or confusion.
కూత కరణము
kuta karanamu
A karaṇam to talk. A great talker but not good at his work.
This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.
వ్రాత కరణమా? మేత కరణమా?
vrata karanama? meta karanama?
A scribe for writing? Or a scribe for grazing?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).