Compassion
కూరిమి గల దినములలో నేరములెన్నడును కలుగనేరవు
kurimi gala dinamulalo neramulennadunu kaluganeravu
In the days of affection, faults never appear.
This expression means that when people are in love or have a strong bond of friendship, they tend to overlook each other's mistakes and flaws. It is used to describe the initial stages of a relationship or deep intimacy where everything the other person does is seen in a positive light.
వచ్చే వారికి స్వాగతం, వెళ్లే వారికి ఆశీర్వాదం
vachche variki svagatam, velle variki ashirvadam
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guests. Svâgatam signifies literally "well come."—Asîmântam is an abbrevi- ation of Asîmântamanuvrajeyam, "I follow you to the boundary," used to Brahman guests at the conclusion of a Srâddha.
This expression is used to signify a balanced and mature perspective towards relationships or visitors. It implies that while one warmly welcomes newcomers or guests, they also graciously accept and offer good wishes to those who choose to depart, without harborring ill will or desperation.
అట్టు పెట్టినమ్మకు అట్టున్నర.
attu pettinammaku attunnara.
An attu-and-a-half for the mother who served an attu.
This proverb highlights the principle of reciprocity and generosity. It implies that those who give or help others will receive back even more than what they offered (interest/bonus). It is used to suggest that kindness is rewarded with greater kindness.
ఊర్మిళ నిద్ర
urmila nidra
Urmila's sleep
Refers to a very deep, long, or uninterrupted sleep. In the Ramayana, Urmila (Lakshmana's wife) is said to have slept for fourteen years, taking over her husband's share of sleep so he could remain awake to serve Rama. It is used to describe someone who sleeps for a very long duration or is very difficult to wake up.
మొదటి చూపుకే కలిగిన వలపుకు కాలయాపన లేదు
modati chupuke kaligina valapuku kalayapana ledu
There is no delay for love that occurs at first sight.
This expression suggests that love at first sight is immediate and decisive. It implies that when a strong connection is felt instantly, there is no need for hesitation or a long waiting period to recognize those feelings. It is often used to describe whirlwind romances or instant attraction.
తప్పులు వెతికేవాడు తండ్రి, ఒప్పులు వెతికేవాడు పరాయేవాడు
tappulu vetikevadu tandri, oppulu vetikevadu parayevadu
The man who seeks out your faults is a father, but he that seeks for what is good in you is an envious person.
This proverb highlights the role of a true well-wisher or a mentor. A father (or a true guardian) points out mistakes so that one can correct them and grow, whereas a stranger or someone indifferent might only offer superficial praise (finding 'only the good') without caring about one's actual improvement. It emphasizes that constructive criticism is a sign of true affection and responsibility.
You may be more thankful to the fault finder than to the good natured.
హరిదాసున కందరూ తనవారే.
haridasuna kandaru tanavare.
To a servant of Lord Hari, everyone is his own.
This expression refers to a state of equanimity and universal love. It implies that a person who is spiritually enlightened or truly pious sees no distinction between people, treating everyone with the same kindness, impartiality, and sense of belonging, without bias or prejudice.
కరువున కడుపు కాల్చినమ్మను యెన్నటికీ మరవను.
karuvuna kadupu kalchinammanu yennatiki maravanu.
I shall never forget the lady who burnt my stomach [i. e. who fed me insufficiently ] in the famine time.
This proverb is used to express deep gratitude towards someone who helped you during your most difficult or desperate times. It emphasizes that acts of kindness received during a crisis are unforgettable.
తల్లి గూనిదైతే తల్లి ప్రేమ గూనిదౌతుందా?
talli gunidaite talli prema gunidautunda?
If the mother is a hunchback, will her love also be a hunchback?
This expression means that a person's physical appearance, status, or flaws do not diminish the purity and depth of their love or character. It is used to emphasize that inner virtues and emotions are independent of external physical attributes.
శుద్దులు వందైనా ఒక్క ముద్దు మిన్న
shuddulu vandaina okka muddu minna
Even if there are a hundred moral teachings, one kiss is better.
This expression is used to highlight that practical affection, action, or a small token of love is more valuable than hearing a hundred lectures, sermons, or moral advices. It suggests that a single sincere gesture outweighs voluminous words.
శనిగ్రహం చూపు బుధగ్రహం దయ
shanigraham chupu budhagraham daya
The gaze of Saturn and the grace of Mercury.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person's temperament where they appear harsh, stern, or critical on the outside (like the perceived malefic influence of Saturn), but possess a kind, helpful, and intellectual heart (like the benefic nature of Mercury). It refers to tough love or a strict mentor who ultimately wishes for one's well-being.
మాట కటిక, మనసు మెతక
mata katika, manasu metaka
Word is harsh, heart is soft
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks bluntly or harshly on the outside but is actually kind-hearted and compassionate on the inside. It is similar to the English idiom 'His bark is worse than his bite.'
రాతి పశువును పూజిస్తారు, చేతి పశువును బాదుతారు
rati pashuvunu pujistaru, cheti pashuvunu badutaru
They worship the stone animal, but they beat the living animal in their hand.
This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and irony. It refers to people who offer great respect and rituals to idols (stone statues) while mistreating or neglecting the actual living beings or family members right in front of them. It is used to criticize those who value religious symbolism over practical compassion.
కుక్కను కొడితే బుద్ధి వస్తుంది కానీ కూలిని కొడితే బుద్ధి వస్తుందా?
kukkanu kodite buddhi vastundi kani kulini kodite buddhi vastunda?
If you hit a dog, it might learn sense, but if you hit a laborer, will they learn sense?
This proverb highlights the difference between instinctive behavior and human dignity. It suggests that while animals might be disciplined through force, humans (especially workers) should be treated with respect and fair wages rather than harshness or exploitation, as physical aggression does not foster productivity or character in people.
ఆకొన్న కూడె అమృతము, తాకొంకక ఇచ్చువాడె దాత
akonna kude amritamu, takonkaka ichchuvade data
Hungry man's food is nectar, and the one who gives without hesitation is the true donor.
This expression emphasizes that when one is truly hungry, even the simplest food tastes like nectar (divine food). Similarly, a person who gives generously and without reluctance when someone is in need is considered a true philanthropist. It is used to describe the value of things based on necessity and the virtue of selfless giving.
ఆశగలిగినచోట ఆడినదే సరసం.
ashagaliginachota adinade sarasam.
Where there is affection, whatever is said is pleasant.
This expression is used to describe how in close relationships or among people who truly like each other, even jokes, teasing, or minor criticisms are taken in good spirit and perceived as endearing. It highlights that the reception of words depends on the rapport between the people involved.
కాకి పిల్ల కాకికి ముద్దు
kaki pilla kakiki muddu
For the crow its young one is the loveliest.
The suggestion is that for the parents the ugly child is not ugly but very lovable. It is the unbounded love of parents for their offspring that is highlighted here.
కన్ను ఎరుగకున్నా కడుపు ఎరుగుతుంది
kannu erugakunna kadupu erugutundi
Although the eye does not see, the belly finds. A man's want leads him to seek and find a livelihood. A hungry man sees far. A hungry man discovers more than a hundred lawyers. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe the instinctual bond between a mother and her child. It implies that even if a mother cannot see her child's suffering or needs with her eyes, she can feel them intuitively in her gut or heart. It is often used to emphasize maternal intuition and the deep, invisible connection of parenthood.
వెలలేని మాణిక్యము
velaleni manikyamu
A ruby without price. Said of anything of inestimable value.
This expression is used to describe something or someone of extraordinary value, uniqueness, or virtue that cannot be measured in monetary terms. It is often used to praise a person's character, a rare talent, or a precious relationship.
చిత్తశుద్ధి కలిగి చేసిన పుణ్యంబు కొంచెమైన నదియు కొదువగాదు
chittashuddhi kaligi chesina punyambu konchemaina nadiyu koduvagadu
A good deed done with a pure heart, even if small, is never insufficient.
This expression emphasizes that the intention and sincerity behind an action are more important than the scale or quantity of the deed. It suggests that merit earned through sincere devotion or selfless service is never wasted and holds immense value, regardless of how minor it may appear.