I greatly admire the work Captain M.W.Carr put into compiling Telugu and Sanskrit proverbs with their literal and general meanings in Andhra Lokokti Chandrika back in...1868!
Below are the proverbs I like from the collection with their actual numbers from the book -
18. Andhunaku addamu choopinattu / అంధునకు అద్దము చూపినట్టు
Like giving a blind man a looking glass.
A blind man will not thank you for a looking glass.
37.
Adigevaniki cheppevadu lokuva / అడిగేవానికి చెప్పేవాడు లోకువ
He who has to answer is inferior to him who questions.
It is one thing to put questions, another to answer them.
38.
Adiyasa podiyasa dukkhaniki karanamu / అడియాశ పొడియాశ దుఃఖానకు కారణము
Vain hopes are a source of grief.
Hope and expectation are a fool's income. (Danish - Haabe og vente er Giekerente)
44. Addagoda meedi pilli - అడ్డగోడ మీది పిళ్లి
Like the cat on the cross wall. It can jump down either side.
Applied to an unprincipled, double-dealing person.
Jack o' both sides
49. Attagaari saadimpu / అత్తగారి సాధింపు
The rancour of a mother-in-law. Among Hindus the husband's mother, when living, rules the house, and to her the wife is a subject.
The husband's mother is the wife's devil.
50. Atta chaste kodalu yedichinattu / అత్త చస్తే కోడలు యేడ్చినట్టు
Like the daughter-in-law lamenting the death of her mother-in-law.
Feigned sorrow.
Crocodile tears.
85. Appu moppu / అప్పు మొప్పు
Debt is misfortune
Debt is the worst poverty
89. Abaddhalaku arthamuledu / అబద్ధాలకు అర్థము లేదు
No meaning can be given to erroneous expressions.
Applied to discrepancies in a statement.
122.
Arachetilo vaikuṇṭhamu chuputadu / అరచేతిలో వైకుంఠము చూపుతాడు
He offers heaven in the palm of his hand.
Deceiving by false hopes.
145. Avivekito snehamukanna vivekito virodhamu melu / అవివేకితో స్నేహముకన్నా వివేకితో విరోధము మేలు
Enmity with a wise man is better than friendship with a fool.
148. Avvaa kavalenu buvvaa kavalenu / అవ్వా కావలెను , బువ్వా కావలెను
I want grand-mother and I want food. Said by a child who did not wish to leave its grand-mother, but who had to do so to get its dinner.
You cannot drink and whistle at the same time.
Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang.(Danish).
166. Aachaaranaku antamū lēdu, annacharanaku ādī lēdu / ఆచారానకు అంతమూ లేదు , అనాచారానకు ఆదీ లేదు
There is no limit to purity, nor any beginning to impurity.
Man is sinful from his birth, and never attains to perfect purity.
167. Aacharyuni talachi nippulō cheyyi peṭṭi tē kāladā? / ఆచార్యునితలచి నిప్పులో చెయ్యి పెట్టి తే కాలదా ?
If you think of your spiritual guide and put your hand in the fire, will it not be burnt ! ( See No. 761)
170. Aadadani maata, neella moota / ఆడదాని మాట , నీళ్ల మూట
A woman' s word, a bundle of water.
A woman 's mind and winter wind change oft.
183. Aa pappu yee neellaku vudakadu / ఆ పప్పు యీ నీళ్లకు వుడకదు
That pulse cannot be cooked with this water.
The pulse alluded to is the Cajanus Indicus (See No. 32) commonly called Dâl ( Hind .) It requires to be boiled in good sweet water to make it soft and fit for eating.
A phrase similar to “ That game won't pay,” “That cock won't fight."
197. Aarchevaare gani, teerchevaru leru / ఆర్చేవా రేగాని, తీర్చేవారు లేరు
There are comforters but no real helpers.
204. Aalu ledu, choolu ledu, koduku peru Somalingam / ఆలూ లేదు , చూలూ లేదు , కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం.
There is neither wife nor conception, but the son' s name is to be Sômalingam. (See Nos. 526, 936, 1470, 1471)
We have no son and yet are giving him a name. / Hijo no tenemos, y nombre le ronemos. (Spanish)
Count not your chickens before they are hatched.
213. Aasaku antamu ledu / ఆశకు అంతము లేదు
There is no limit to desire.
Much would have more.
No one is content with his lot. / Ninguem se contenta can gua sorte. (Portuguese)
The more one has the more one wants. / Quien mastiere, masquiere (Spanish)
217. Aasa siggu yeragadu, nidra sukhamerugadu / ఆశ శిగ్గు యెరగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరగదు
Avarice knows not shame; sleep knows not comfort. (See No. 156)
When sleep overpowers, comfort is not thought of.
220. Aaharamandoo vyavaharamandoo siggu padakoodadu / ఆహారమందూ వ్యవహారమందూ శిగ్గు పడకూడదు
In eating and in business you should not be modest. (See Nos.241,2012)
A bashful dog never fattems. ( German.)
221. Inguva kattina gudda / ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ
A rag which had held assafætida/asafoetida.
Said of a man who is respected on account of his connection with the family of some famous person, no longer living ; or on account of his own greatness, now passed away.
225. Intiki jyestadevi, poruguku Lakshmeedevi / ఇంటికి జ్యేష్టా దేవి, పొరుగుకు లక్ష్మీ దేవి
The goddess of misfortune at home, the goddess of fortune abroad.
Bad to his own, but good to others.
230. Intiperu Kasturivaru, illu gabbilalavasana / ఇంటి పేరు కస్తూరివారు, యిల్లు గబ్బిలాలవాసన .
His house name is Kasturi ( musk), his house smells of bats.
The "house name " is the gentilitious or family name ; it precedes the proper name.
A fine name, but a paltry fellow.
234. Intivaru velu choopite, bayativaru kaalu chooputaru / ఇంటివారు వేలు చూపితే, బయిటివారు కాలు చూపుతారు
If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.
248. IchhevaNNi chooste, chachhevadayina lechunu / ఇ చ్చేవాణ్ని చూస్తే, చచ్చేవాడైనా లేచును
Even a dying man will rise up when he sees a liberal person.
With the hope of receiving something from him
252. Idigo puli ante, adugo toka annattu / ఇదుగో పులి అంటే, అదుగో తోక అన్నట్టు .
When one said "Here's a tiger!" the other said "And there's his tail ! "
Rivaling each other in exaggeration.
263. Illu katti choodu, pendli chesi choodu / ఇల్లు కట్టి చూడు , పెండ్లి చేసి చూడు .
Try building a house, try making a marriage.
An expense greater than contemplated.
Building and the marrying of children are great wasters.
277. Ille teertham, vakile Vaaranasi, kadupe Kailaasam / ఇల్లేతీర్థం , వాకి లే వారణాశి, కడుపే కైలాసం.
My house is my holy place; my threshold is Benares; my belly is my heaven.
Said by an irreligious man,
"Whose God is their belly.” Philippians iii. 18 .
290. Eetaginja itchi taatiginja laagevaadu - ఈతగింజ యిచ్చి తాటిగింజ లాగేవాడ
Offering a gift of slight value for the purpose of gaining a rich present.
A man who gives a date stone and takes a palmyra nut.
ita is the wild date (Phoenix Sylvestris). Tadu is the Palmyra ( Borassus Flabelliformis ).
Throw in a sprat to catch a salmon.
291. Eetachettu kinda palu tagina, kalle antaaru - ఈత చెట్టుకింద పాలు తాగినా , కల్లేఅంటారు.
If you even drink milk under a date tree they will say it 's toddy.
People are judged by the company they keep.
Tell me the company you keep, and I'll tell you what you are.
From a clear spring clear water flows. (Latin).
297. Ungaraala chetito mottite, noppi vundadu - ఉంగరాల చేతితో మొట్టి తే, నెప్పి వుండదు
A rap with ringed fingers will cause no pain.
A man who wears rings is generally well off, and therefore pays hand some damages for injuries inflicted.
321. Unnamata cheppite, vooru achhi radu - ఉన్నమాట చెప్పి తే, వూరు అచ్చి రాదు
If a man speaks the truth he will find the village too hot for him.
Truth produces hatred (Latin)
327. Uppu tinna vaadu neellu tagutadu - ఉప్పు తిన్న వాడు నీళ్లు తాగుతాడు
The man that has eaten salt drinks water
338. Usuru vunte vuppu ammukoni bratakavachhunu - ఉసురు వుంటే వుప్పు అమ్ముకొని బ్రతకవచ్చును
If you preserve your life ,you can at least live by selling salt.
Used as an argument not to risk life for the sake of gain
352. Uurike vundalekapote, vuri pettuko - ఊరికె వుండ లేక పోతే, వురి పెట్టుకో
If you can't be quiet, hang yourself.
381. Egadeeste Brahmhatya , digateeste gohatya - ఎగదీస్తే బ్రహత్య, దిగతీస్తే గోహత్య
If I say this, it will be killing a Brahman; if I say that, it will be killing a cow.
Said by a reluctant witness to himself, when called to give evidence regarding a complaint made by a Brahman that another man's cow had grazed in his field.
Being placed in a dilemma by having to give evidence in a quarrel between two friends
399. Eppati melu appatike - ఎప్పటి మేలు అప్పటి కే
When a good deed [is done,] then only [ is it thought of ].
Eaten bread is soon forgotten .
401. Eruka pidikedu dhanamu - ఎరుక పిడికెడు ధనము
Acquaintance is a handful of money.
405. Elukaku pilli sakshi - ఎలుకకు పిల్లి సాక్షి
The cat a witness in the rat's case. Interested evidence.
A fox should not be of the jury at a goose trial.
413. Evariki vaare yamuna teere - ఎవరికి వారే యమునా తీరే
Every man to his own way on the banks of the Yamuna (Jumna).
There every man is free to do what he has a fancy for.
415. Evari pranamu vaariki teepi - ఎవరి ప్రాణము వారికి తీపు
Every man' s life is sweet to himself.
416. Evari verri vaariki aanandamu - ఎవరి వెర్రి వారికి ఆనందము
Every man' s folly is pleasure to himself.
Fools are pleased with their own blunders.
444. Eanuga padukonna gurramanta yettu / ఏనుగ పడుకొన్నా గుర్రమంత యెత్తు
Even when the elephant lies down he is as high as the horse. (See No. 1805)
A man much superior to another.
448. Ea patu tappina sapatu tappadu / ఏ పాటు తప్పినా సాపాటు తప్పదు
Whatever work is neglected , eating is not forgotten.
449. Ea puttalo Ea pamu vunnado teliyadu / ఏ పుట్టలో యే పాము వున్నదో తెలియదు
What snake it is, and what hole it lives in, we don't know.
Said of persons whose abilities are not yet known.
471. Oka kalagante tellavarutunnadaa \ ఒక కలగంటే తెల్లవారుతున్నదా
Will the morning dawn after dreaming one dream?
After one trouble, think not that you have passed through all.
476. Okanaadu vindu, vakanaadu mandu \ ఒకనాడు విందు , వకనాడు మందు .
One day a feast, one day medicine (See No. 475)
One day favor, one day disfavor. To-day in finery , to-morrow in filth. (German)
524. Kadupu nindinavaaniki gaarelu chedu / కడుపు నిండినవానికి గారెలు చేదు
Cakes are bitter to a man with his belly full.
A rich man will not care for trilling gains.
531. Kattipotu tappinaa kalampotu tappadu / కత్తిపోటు తప్పినా కలంపోటు తప్పదు .
Though the stab of the sword may fail, the stab of the pen will not fail.
537. Kanukkoni raaraa ante kalchi vachhevadu / కనుక్కొనిరారా అంటే కాల్చి వచ్చేవాడు.
When told to go and look, he goes and burns.
Alluding to the story of Hanuman setting fire to Lankâ, when sent to look for Sita.
547. Karna prataapamu / కర్ణ ప్ర తాపము.
The valour of Karna.
A blusterer.
554. Kalalo bhogamu / కలలో భోగము.
Enjoyment in a dream.
560. Kalimi kulaala mindadu / కలిమి కులాల మిండడు
Wealth is the paramour of all castes.
A rich man is sought after by all.
Rich people are every where at home. (German)
563. Kaliyuga RaavaNaasurudu / కలియుగ రావణాసురుడు
A Râvana of the Iron age.
Applied to a man as bad in this, the Iron age, as Râvana was in the Golden.
567. KaLLyaNamu vachhina kakku vachhina aagadu / కళ్యాణము వచ్చినా కక్కు వచ్చినా ఆగదు
When marriage comes, or vomiting, it cannot be stopped.
572. Kaaki pilla kaakiki muddu / కాకి పిల్ల కాకికి ముద్దు
The crow' s chick is dear to the crow.
The crow thinks her own bird the fairest.
573. Kaaki puttee nalupe perigee nalupe / కాకి పుట్టి నలుపే పెరిగి నలుపే
The crow is black when it is born, and black when it is grown.
What's bred in the bone will never be out of the flesh.
The wolf changes his hair but not his nature. (Latin)
635. Kukkanu champina paapamu gudi kattinaa podu / కుక్కను చంపిన పాపము గుడి కట్టినా పోదు
The sin of killing a dog cannot be expiated even by building a temple
722. Koti pundu Brahmaraakshashi - కోతి పుండు బ్రహ్మరాక్షసి
A sore is a she-demon to a monkey.
Making a great fuss about nothing.
748. Gatilenammaku ganje paanakamu / గతిలేనమకు గంజే పానకము
Rice water is a rich drink to a poor lady.
Pânakam is a rich beverage made of expensive materials.
749. Gatilenammaku matileni mogudu / గతి లేనమకు మతి లేని మొగుడు
A helpless woman will get a foolish husband.
765. Gaaliki putti dhooliki periginattu / గాలికి పుట్టి ధూళికి పెరిగినట్టు
Born of the wind , and reared up by the dust.
Said by parents to an ungrateful son, or by a benefactor to an ungrateful dependant.
767. Gaalilo deepaamu betti Devudaa nee mahima choopumannattu / గాలిలో దీపము బెట్టి దేవుడా నీ మహిమ చూపుమన్నట్టు
Having put the lamp in the wind , he prays “ O God! show thy power.”
776. Guddi kannaa mella melu / గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
Of two evils choose the least.
783. Guddu vachhi pillanu yekkirinchinadi / గుడ్డు వచ్చి పిల్లను యెక్కిరించినది
The egg made faces at the chicken.
Mocking and mimicking a superior.
790. Guruvuku minchina sishyudu / గురువుకు మించిన శిష్యుడు
A disciple greater than his Guru.
Said of an insolent fellow.
946. Jayamu vunde varaku bhayamu ledu - జయము వుండే వరకు భయము లేదు
As long as fortune favours you, you have nothing to fear.
966. Tagilina kale tagulutundi - తగిలిన కాలే తగులుతుంది
A wounded foot is always striking against something. (See Nos. 822, 828)
