అగడు మగడి పాలు, ఆనందం ఊరి పాలు
agadu magadi palu, anandam uri palu
The hardship is for the husband, while the joy is for the village.
This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or bears the suffering, while the benefits or celebrations are enjoyed by others who didn't contribute. It is used to highlight unfair distribution of labor and rewards.
Related Phrases
నిష్ఠ నీళ్ల పాలు, మంత్రము మాలల పాలు
nishtha nilla palu, mantramu malala palu
His religious rites go to the water, and his Mantras to the Pariahs. Said of a great formalist. Most of the religious rites of the Brahmans are performed with water. The sacred formulas ( Mantras ) ought according to the Śāstras to be pronounced in a low voice, inaudible to the people.
This expression describes a situation where all the hard work, discipline, or ritualistic effort put into a task goes to waste due to a small mistake or lack of focus. It is used when someone meticulously follows a process but fails at the final stage, rendering the entire effort useless.
రక్కసి ఆలుకు అనదమగడు
rakkasi aluku anadamagadu
A helpless husband for a demonic wife.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a dominating or aggressive woman is paired with a weak, passive, or helpless man. It highlights an imbalance of power in a relationship where one partner is overly assertive or cruel while the other is unable to stand up for themselves.
పొత్తుల మగడు పుచ్చి చచ్చెను.
pottula magadu puchchi chachchenu.
The joint-husband was neglected and died.
This proverb describes a situation where a task or responsibility shared by many people ends up being neglected because everyone assumes someone else will take care of it. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Everybody's business is nobody's business.' It is used when collective responsibility leads to total failure.
The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled. ( French. )*
పులిగాడికి గిలిగాడు మొగుడు
puligadiki giligadu mogudu
For the tiger-man, the tickler-man is the husband.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a strong, fierce, or arrogant person is eventually defeated or outsmarted by someone even more capable or clever. It conveys the idea that no matter how powerful someone is, there is always someone superior who can keep them in check.
రాజుల సొమ్మ రాళ్ల పాలూ, లంజల పాలూ
rajula somma ralla palu, lanjala palu
The wealth of kings goes to stones and harlots. Kings addicted to debauchery spent their wealth in constructing houses, temples, &c. and also lavished much on their concubines instead of spend- ing their Revenue for the good of people they governed.
This proverb highlights how ill-managed or excessive wealth is often squandered on unproductive vanity projects (like grand stone monuments/forts) or hedonistic pleasures. It is used to caution against the misuse of resources and the inevitable waste that occurs when power and money are not directed toward the welfare of the people.
కొత్త బిచ్చగాడు పొద్దు ఎరుగడు
kotta bichchagadu poddu erugadu
A new beggar doesn't know the time of day.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is new to a job or position and works with excessive, often misplaced, zeal or without understanding the practical constraints. Just as a new beggar might keep asking for alms at odd hours without realizing when people are likely to give, a novice often overdoes things or lacks the experience to judge the right timing and boundaries.
మనసుకు నచ్చినవాడు మగడుకానీ మంగళసూత్రం కట్టగానే మగడు కాడు
manasuku nachchinavadu magadukani mangalasutram kattagane magadu kadu
The one who is liked by the heart is the husband, not just the one who ties the mangalsutra.
This expression emphasizes that true companionship and a husband's status are earned through love, mutual understanding, and emotional connection rather than through the mere ritual of marriage or tying a sacred thread. It is used to highlight that legal or ritualistic bonding is secondary to emotional compatibility.
అయ్య ఊరోళ్ళ పాలు, అమ్మ మాలోళ్ళ పాలు
ayya urolla palu, amma malolla palu
The father belongs to the villagers, and the mother belongs to the farmworkers.
This proverb describes a situation where both parents are constantly busy with outside work or social obligations, leaving no time for their own family or household. It is used to critique parents who neglect their responsibilities at home while being overly active in community affairs.
జీతగాడు అతిగాడైనట్లు
jitagadu atigadainatlu
Like the servant who acts like the master
This expression is used to describe a situation where an employee or subordinate behaves with more authority or arrogance than the actual owner or employer. It highlights the irony of someone in a service position overstepping their boundaries and acting overly superior.
చూపులకు మగడే కానీ, సుఖానికి మగడు కాదు
chupulaku magade kani, sukhaniki magadu kadu
A husband for appearances only, not for providing happiness.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or person that looks competent or sufficient on the outside but fails to fulfill their primary responsibilities or provide the expected benefits. In a literal sense, it refers to a spouse who maintains the social status of marriage but fails to provide emotional, physical, or financial support. Metaphorically, it is used for any object or person that is decorative but useless in practice.