అడుక్కుతినే అమ్మకు అరవై ఆరు కూరలైతే, వండుకున్న అమ్మకు ఒకటే కూర.
adukkutine ammaku aravai aru kuralaite, vandukunna ammaku okate kura.
For the mother who begs her food, there are sixty-six curries; for the mother who cooks her own, there is only one curry.
This proverb highlights how some people find it easier to depend on others' resources rather than their own hard work. It illustrates that a beggar receives variety by collecting bits from many houses, while someone who works hard and cooks for themselves might have a simpler but more dignified and certain meal. It is often used to comment on the irony of someone who doesn't work appearing to have more options or variety than a hard worker.
Related Phrases
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.
ఊరంతా నాన్నకు వణికితే, నాన్న అమ్మకు వణికినట్టు
uranta nannaku vanikite, nanna ammaku vanikinattu
If the whole village trembles before the father, the father trembles before the mother.
This expression describes a hierarchy of influence or a 'chain of command' where someone who appears powerful or intimidating to the public is actually controlled or intimidated by someone else at home. It is often used humorously to point out that everyone has someone they are afraid of, regardless of their status.
అరవై ఆరు కూరగాయలు, అంచుకు మిరియాల పొడి
aravai aru kuragayalu, anchuku miriyala podi
Sixty-six varieties of vegetables, with pepper powder on the side.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming abundance or variety of things, often to the point of being unnecessary or overly elaborate. It can also imply that despite having everything one could possibly need, one still looks for small additions or refinements.
వయసు కురకుర బాతు కురకుర
vayasu kurakura batu kurakura
Age is crunchy, duck is crunchy.
This expression is used to describe the vigor and energy of youth. It implies that during one's prime age, even a tough or 'crunchy' meat like duck can be easily digested and enjoyed. It signifies that everything seems favorable and manageable when one is young and healthy.
కూతుళ్లను కన్నమ్మకు కురిచీపీటలు, కొడుకులను కన్నమ్మకు గోడ పంచలు
kutullanu kannammaku kurichipitalu, kodukulanu kannammaku goda panchalu
The lady who has daughters is given a chair, but the lady who has sons has to lean against the wall.
This traditional proverb highlights the cultural observation that daughters often provide better care, comfort, and emotional support to their parents in old age compared to sons. While sons were traditionally preferred for lineage, the saying suggests that daughters ensure their mother sits comfortably (chairs), whereas sons might leave her with no place but the outside of the house (eaves).
పండుకున్నమ్మకు ఒకటే కూర, అడుక్కుతినే అమ్మకు ఆరు కూరలు
pandukunnammaku okate kura, adukkutine ammaku aru kuralu
The woman who sleeps has only one curry, while the woman who begs has six curries.
This proverb highlights that laziness leads to limited options and poverty, whereas those who are active, even in humble tasks, often find more variety and abundance. It is used to mock someone who is too lazy to work for their own livelihood and contrasts them with those who are resourceful or hardworking.
అట్లు వండే అత్తకు అరవై ఆరు ఎత్తులు
atlu vande attaku aravai aru ettulu
Like sixty-six tricks played against a mother-in-law who is making pancakes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to outsmart or deceive a person who is already very experienced, clever, or cunning in their own right. It signifies meeting an expert with even more complex maneuvers or excessive strategies.
కూతుళ్ల కన్నమ్మకు కుర్చీపీటలు, కొడుకులు కన్నమ్మకు గోడపంచలు
kutulla kannammaku kurchipitalu, kodukulu kannammaku godapanchalu
Chairs and stools for the mother of daughters; wall corners for the mother of sons.
This traditional proverb highlights the observation that daughters often take better care of their aging parents with comfort and respect (represented by chairs), whereas sons may neglect them or leave them with no proper place to stay (represented by the eaves of a wall or corners of a house).
అడుగు తప్పితే అరవై ఆరు గుణాలు.
adugu tappite aravai aru gunalu.
If a step is missed, sixty-six qualities emerge.
This expression is used to describe how people's character and behavior can drastically change when they face a downfall or make a mistake. It suggests that a single slip in conduct or status can reveal many hidden, often negative, traits or lead to numerous accusations and character flaws being attributed to a person.
వండే అమ్మ కన్నా, వడ్డించే అమ్మ మేలు
vande amma kanna, vaddinche amma melu
The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.
This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.