Resilience
కాలు చేయి ఆడుతున్నంత కాలం కాలం గడుస్తుంది
kalu cheyi adutunnanta kalam kalam gadustundi
As long as legs and hands are moving, time passes (life goes on).
This expression means that as long as a person is physically healthy and capable of working, they can sustain themselves and live independently. It is often used to emphasize the importance of health and self-reliance in old age, suggesting that life is manageable as long as one is not bedridden or dependent on others for basic movement.
తల ప్రాణం తోకకు వచ్చినట్లు
tala pranam tokaku vachchinatlu
The life in a man's head went into his tail. Applied to strenuous exertions made to accomplish a difficult task.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion, severe struggle, or an incredibly difficult ordeal. It conveys the feeling of being pushed to one's absolute limits, as if one's life force is barely hanging on after a grueling task.
కంచర వానింటి పిల్లలు తాటాకు చప్పళ్ళకు బెదరరు
kanchara vaninti pillalu tataku chappallaku bedararu
Children in a brazier's house are not frightened by the rustling of palm leaves.
This proverb refers to people who are accustomed to loud noises or harsh environments and therefore do not get intimidated by minor threats or small noises. A brazier (metalworker) works with loud hammering all day, so his children grow up used to high decibels and won't be scared by the simple sound of dry palm leaves. It is used to describe someone's resilience or lack of fear due to their constant exposure to tougher situations.
ఉద్యోగికి దూర భూమి లేదు
udyogiki dura bhumi ledu
For an industrious person, no land is distant.
This proverb highlights that for a person who is hardworking, determined, and enterprising, there are no geographical boundaries or limitations. It is used to encourage ambition, suggesting that one can achieve success anywhere in the world through effort and persistence.
ఊపిరి ఉంటే ఉప్పుకల్లు అమ్ముకొని బ్రతుకవచ్చు
upiri unte uppukallu ammukoni bratukavachchu
If there is breath left, one can survive even by selling salt crystals.
This proverb emphasizes that as long as one is alive and healthy, there is always a way to make a living through some form of labor, however humble it may be. It is used to encourage resilience and hope during times of financial loss or hardship, suggesting that life itself is the greatest asset.
కలియుగం రెండు దినాలు పోవాలి
kaliyugam rendu dinalu povali
Two days of Kali Yuga must pass
This expression is used to convey the idea that one must wait for time to pass or for a current difficult phase to end before things get better. It implies that patience is required during challenging times, as the world or a specific situation is currently in a state of turmoil that will eventually resolve.
మనసు స్వాధీనమైన ఘనునికి మరి మంత్రతంత్రము లేల
manasu svadhinamaina ghanuniki mari mantratantramu lela
To the great person who has mastered their mind, why are there any more mantras or rituals?
This expression suggests that self-control and mental mastery are the ultimate spiritual achievements. It implies that for someone who has absolute control over their thoughts and desires, external rituals, religious chants, or complex ceremonies become unnecessary as they have already reached the highest state of consciousness.
మనిషి పోచికోలు కాదు.
manishi pochikolu kadu.
No man is useless.
This expression is used to emphasize the dignity, value, and resilience of a human being. It suggests that a person should not be treated as something trivial, disposable, or easily crushed like a blade of grass. It is often used to assert one's self-respect or when reminding others to treat someone with the importance they deserve.
ఎంత కరువు వచ్చినా పులి గడ్డి మేస్తుందా?
enta karuvu vachchina puli gaddi mestunda?
No matter how severe the famine is, will a tiger ever eat grass?
This proverb is used to describe people of high integrity or specific innate nature who will never compromise their core principles or dignity, even when facing extreme hardship or poverty. Just as a tiger's nature is to hunt and not eat grass even if starving, a person of character will not resort to base or unethical actions regardless of the situation.
ముప్పదిమూడు దున్నపోతులు కడిగేవాడికి, మూడు సాలగ్రామాలు ఒక లెక్కా?
muppadimudu dunnapotulu kadigevadiki, mudu salagramalu oka lekka?
For one who washes thirty-three buffaloes, are three small Salagrama stones a big deal?
This proverb is used to describe a person who handles massive, difficult tasks and therefore finds smaller, trivial tasks insignificant or easy to manage. It implies that once someone has mastered a great burden or volume of work, minor additions do not bother them.
ఆటా తీరె, పాటా తీరె, కోటలో రామరాజ్యము.
ata tire, pata tire, kotalo ramarajyamu.
The dancing is over, the song is finished, and every one is as free as in the kingdom of Râma.
This expression is used to describe a state of completion or total relief. It implies that all tasks, duties, or struggles are finally over, leading to a period of rest, peace, and ultimate satisfaction. It is often used when a long-standing project or a series of chaotic events concludes successfully.
కలిసి ఉంటే కలదు సుఖం
kalisi unte kaladu sukham
If stayed together, there is happiness
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing that unity is strength and brings happiness. It is used to advise family members or communities to stay united and work together to ensure peace, prosperity, and mutual support.
కాశీకిపోయినా కావడి బరువు తప్పలేదు
kashikipoyina kavadi baruvu tappaledu
Even after going to Kashi, the weight of the yoke remains.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's problems, character, or burdens follow them no matter where they go or how far they travel. It emphasizes that a change of place does not necessarily result in a change of fortune or relief from responsibilities if the root cause remains within the person or their destiny.
తల తడిపిన మట్టుకు గొరికి తీరవలె
tala tadipina mattuku goriki tiravale
Once the head is wet, it must be shaved.
This proverb means that once you have initiated a task or committed to a process, you must see it through to completion regardless of the difficulties. It is often used to emphasize accountability and finishing what one has started.
ఆగుదోట సేద్యం అన్ని అవసరాలు తీరుస్తుంది.
agudota sedyam anni avasaralu tirustundi.
A backyard garden's cultivation fulfills all needs.
This expression emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness. It suggests that maintaining a small, manageable kitchen garden or backyard plot provides enough produce to meet a family's primary daily needs, ensuring food security and reducing dependency on outside markets.
పువ్వుల వగరే తేనె అయ్యేది
puvvula vagare tene ayyedi
The astringency of flowers is what becomes honey
This proverb suggests that raw, bitter, or difficult beginnings can lead to sweet and rewarding outcomes. It is used to encourage patience and perseverance, highlighting that hard work or initial unpleasantness eventually transforms into something valuable and beneficial.
గలిక మేసిన గాడిద చస్తుందిగాని గలిక చావదు
galika mesina gadida chastundigani galika chavadu
The donkey that eats the Galika weed might die, but the weed itself does not.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an object or a habit outlasts the person using or consuming it. It highlights the persistence of certain negative influences or indestructible nature of some things despite their impact on others.
నిప్పును కొడితే రెండు అవుతుంది కానీ, నీళ్ళను కొడితే రెండు అవుతాయా?
nippunu kodite rendu avutundi kani, nillanu kodite rendu avutaya?
If you cut fire it will be divided, but if you cut water will it divide ?
This proverb emphasizes the unbreakable bond of family or blood relations. It suggests that while some things can be easily divided or destroyed (like fire scattering), certain relationships (like water) are cohesive and cannot be permanently separated by outside force or internal conflict. It is used to express that family members will eventually reunite regardless of disputes.
Inseparable friendship. They are finger and thumb.
మొదలు చేవలేక తుద నెట్లు కలుగురా
modalu chevaleka tuda netlu kalugura
Without strength at the beginning, how can there be any at the end?
This proverb emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation. It suggests that if the initial stage of a task, person, or plant lacks core strength or quality, one cannot expect a successful or fruitful outcome at the conclusion. It is used to remind people that the end result depends entirely on the integrity of the start.
గుండు మింగేవాడికి తలుపులు అప్పడాలు
gundu mingevadiki talupulu appadalu
For one who swallows a cannonball, doors are like papads (wafers).
This proverb is used to describe someone who has already committed a massive crime or handled a huge task, making smaller obstacles or rules seem trivial to them. It implies that if a person can handle something extreme, they won't hesitate or struggle with something much smaller.