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తాటాకు చప్పుళ్ళకు కుందేళ్ళు బెదరవు.
tataku chappullaku kundellu bedaravu.
Hares wouldn’t be frightened by the noise of palm leaves.
Strong men are not frightened by empty threats by the unworthy. We should develop necessary courage and should not be scared by the trivial.
గోరంత దీపం కొండంత వెలుగు
goranta dipam kondanta velugu
The lamp (wick) is of the size of a nail; illumination the size of a hill.
Even a small lamp can give a wide glow. Physical size does not always lead to insignificant actions. It is the largeness of purpose that makes the act big.
ఎద్దు పుండు కాకికి ముద్దు/ముద్దా?
eddu pundu kakiki muddu/mudda?
An ox’s ulcer is dear to a crow.
When a person is suffering, the other person is pleased. It shows the extreme inhumanness of certain people. Even if one cannot help others in their difficulties, at least they should not derive pleasure out of them. (If in the interrogative mudda, it signifies that one doesn’t care for another’s pain. Even that attitude is undesirable.)
కరవమంటే కప్పకు కోపం, విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం.
karavamante kappaku kopam, vidavamante pamuku kopam.
If asked to bite, the frog would be angry; if asked to let go, the snake would be angry.
This refers to a situation when there are two disputing parties and advising either of them to compromise or withdraw from the dispute will be rejected by both. On those occasions, it is wise to keep quiet.
బోడి తలకు మొకాలికి ముడి
bodi talaku mokaliki mudi
Making a knot between the shaven head and the knee.
This refers to the way of trying to bring together two disparate things for a harmonious blend. When such an attempt is made, the listener understands the absurdity.
పుర్రెలో పుట్టిన బుద్ఢి పుడకలతోనే పోతుంది
purrelo puttina buddhi pudakalatone potundi
The will, intention or desire born in the skull goes away only with faggots (the funeral pyre).
When an evil thought is born in the mind, or if one is born with evil nature, it will not leave one until death. In-born wickedness is incurable.
చచ్చినవాని కళ్ళు చారెడేసి.
chachchinavani kallu charedesi.
The eyes of one dead, are large (attractive).
The good deeds of the dead are normally praised beyond what they deserve. It is possible that in such remembrances of things past there is likely to be considerable exaggeration – even, falsehood.
చినికి చినికి గాలీవాన అయినట్లు.
chiniki chiniki galivana ayinatlu.
Like drizzles becoming a cyclone.
Sometimes, a mere altercation, starting off in a small way, may lead to a fierce quarrel and continuing enmity.
ఆది లోనే హంస పాదు.
adi lone hamsa padu.
An insertion at the very beginning of writing.
Usually said when there is a hurdle, gap or break in the very beginning.
మొరిగే కుక్క కరవదు.
morige kukka karavadu.
A dog that barks does not bite.
It is said that a shouting man does not harm really. It is not necessary to take the loud threats of one seriously, because one may not really be able to carry out one’s threats.