Resilience
అనగా అనగా రాగం, తినగా తినగా వేము
anaga anaga ragam, tinaga tinaga vemu
By singing repeatedly, the melody improves; by eating repeatedly, even Neem tastes sweet.
This proverb emphasizes that practice makes perfect and that persistence can make even difficult or unpleasant tasks easier over time. Note: The user provided 'rogam' (disease), but the traditional proverb is 'vemu' (neem), implying that constant habituation changes one's perspective or skill.
పదిమందితోటి చావు పెండ్లితో సమానం
padimanditoti chavu pendlito samanam
With many people death is equal to marriage. Applied to an honorable death in a good cause.
This proverb suggests that when a misfortune or hardship is shared by many, it becomes easier to bear. Just as a wedding is a communal celebration, facing a difficult situation as a group provides collective strength and comfort, making even a 'death-like' situation feel less burdensome.
వేసినట్టే వేస్తే, వెర్రివాడు అయినా గెలుచును
vesinatte veste, verrivadu ayina geluchunu
With continued attempts, even a fool may win. A fool's bolt may sometimes hit the mark.
This proverb emphasizes the power of consistency, practice, and perseverance. It suggests that even someone who lacks natural talent or intelligence can achieve success if they repeatedly perform a task with focus and dedication. In usage, it is often cited to encourage someone to stick to a routine or to highlight that steady practice leads to mastery.
తోక లేదు గాని హనుమంతునంత బంటు
toka ledu gani hanumantunanta bantu
He has no tail, but he is as great a servant (or warrior) as Hanuman.
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally capable, hardworking, or loyal, comparing them to the legendary Hanuman despite lacking the physical attribute (the tail). It is often used to praise someone's strength and dedication.
మించినదానికి విచారించి ఫలం లేదు
minchinadaniki vicharinchi phalam ledu
There is no point in worrying about what is past.
This proverb is equivalent to 'don't cry over spilled milk'. It is used to suggest that once something has happened or a mistake has been made that cannot be undone, there is no use in feeling regret or sorrow about it; instead, one should move forward.
మిడగురులకు చీకట్ల నడచునా
midagurulaku chikatla nadachuna
Does a firefly fear the darkness?
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally brave, self-reliant, or possesses an internal strength that allows them to navigate difficult or 'dark' situations without external help. Just as a firefly carries its own light and isn't hindered by the night, a person with true character or talent is not intimidated by adversity or lack of resources.
భగీరథ ప్రయత్నం
bhagiratha prayatnam
The effort of Bhagiratha
Refers to a Herculean task or an extraordinary, persistent effort to achieve something nearly impossible. It originates from the mythological story of King Bhagiratha, who performed intense penance for years to bring the river Ganges from the heavens to Earth.
సగం చచ్చి పురాణం, అంతా చచ్చి సంగీతం.
sagam chachchi puranam, anta chachchi sangitam.
Dying halfway for Puranas, dying completely for music.
This proverb is used to describe tasks or hobbies that are extremely exhausting, time-consuming, or require immense struggle to master. It suggests that learning ancient scriptures (Puranas) takes half of one's life/energy, but mastering music (Sangeetam) demands one's entire life and soul.
ఊరు విడిచినా ఉలవ అడుగు విడువరాదు
uru vidichina ulava adugu viduvaradu
Even if you leave the village, do not leave the horse gram foundation.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of preserving one's fundamental habits, culture, or sources of sustenance even when moving to a new place or facing significant changes. It specifically refers to the hardiness of horse gram (ulavalu), suggesting that one should never give up on the basic principles that provide strength and stability.
సుఖాలు కష్టాల కోసమే
sukhalu kashtala kosame
Happiness is for the sake of hardships (or hardships follow happiness)
This expression is used to remind someone that life is a cycle of ups and downs. It suggests that comfort and joy are often temporary and serve as a preparation or a precursor to challenging times, encouraging emotional resilience and a balanced perspective on life's fluctuations.
చదువుల చెట్టుకు వేళ్ళు చేదు కానీ పండ్లు తీపి
chaduvula chettuku vellu chedu kani pandlu tipi
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
This proverb emphasizes that the process of learning and studying can be difficult, laborious, and demanding (the bitter roots), but the eventual rewards, knowledge, and success it brings are highly rewarding and pleasant (the sweet fruit). It is used to motivate students to persevere through the hardships of education.
మొండికీ బండకూ నూరేండ్లు ఆయుస్సు.
mondiki bandaku nurendlu ayussu.
Pig-headed people live for a hundred years.
This proverb is used to describe how people who are extremely stubborn or insensitive to criticism often survive or persist for a long time without being affected by external circumstances. It implies that just as a hard rock is not easily damaged, a thick-skinned or obstinate person continues their ways unaffected by others' opinions or hardships.
వెయ్యి మోపులు వేకుజాము కట్టకు లోకువే.
veyyi mopulu vekujamu kattaku lokuve.
A thousand bundles are still subservient to the dawn's rope.
This proverb implies that no matter how massive or overwhelming a task or a collection of problems might be, they can still be controlled or managed by a single, powerful, or appropriate tool/solution. It is often used to suggest that a small but effective force can overcome a large, unorganized mass.
అడుక్కొని తినేవాళ్ళకు అరవై ఊళ్ళు
adukkoni tinevallaku aravai ullu
For those who live by begging, there are sixty villages.
This proverb suggests that for a person with no pride, attachments, or fixed responsibilities, the whole world is their home. It is often used to describe people who are resourceful or nomadic, implying that they can find sustenance or a way to survive anywhere because they are not tied down to a single place or status.
శంఖం ఊదేది శంఖుపాత్తే
shankham udedi shankhupatte
The one who blows the conch is the one who bears the conch holder.
This expression refers to a person who has to handle multiple responsibilities or perform all the tasks in a specific process by themselves. It is used to describe a situation where there is no one else to assist, and a single individual must manage both the main action and the supporting duties.
వయసు తప్పినా వయారము తప్పలేదు.
vayasu tappina vayaramu tappaledu.
Though he is old he is still a fop.
This expression is used to describe someone who maintains their elegance, charm, or style despite growing old. It suggests that while physical youth may fade, one's poise and attractive demeanor remain intact.
చివుకుపోతుంటే చేవ దొరికినట్లు
chivukupotunte cheva dorikinatlu
Finding heartwood just as something is rotting away.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person finds unexpected inner strength, a valuable solution, or a solid core of support just when things seem to be falling apart or deteriorating completely. It signifies a timely discovery of resilience or quality in a failing situation.
కాకిలా తిరిగాడు, హంసలా ఈదాడు.
kakila tirigadu, hamsala idadu.
Wandered like a crow, swam like a swan.
This expression describes a person who has spent a long time searching or struggling through various difficulties (wandering aimlessly like a crow) but eventually finds grace, success, or a smooth path (swimming elegantly like a swan). It highlights a transformation from a state of struggle to a state of dignity and ease.
రాత్రి పడ్డ గతిలో పగలు కూడా పడనా?
ratri padda gatilo pagalu kuda padana?
Shall we fall in the day time into the pit into which we fell at night? Shall we not benefit by experience ? Bought wit is best. Experience teaches. (Latin.):
This proverb is used to express that once someone has learned from a past mistake or a bad experience (the 'night'), they will be more cautious and avoid the same pitfall in the future (the 'day'). It signifies learning a lesson and becoming wiser.
* Mulgere hircum. † A mal nudo mal cuo. I Experientia docet.
దింపుడు కళ్ల ఆశ
dimpudu kalla asha
The hope in the eyes while being lowered.
This expression refers to a last-minute, lingering, or desperate hope held even when a situation is nearly hopeless or at its final stage. It originates from the practice of checking for signs of life one last time while lowering a body during funeral rites.