ఆలస్యం అమ్రుతం విషం.
alasyam amrutam visham.
Delay turns nectar into poison.
Opportunity unavailed becomes harmful. One should not delay.
Related Phrases
కిమాలస్యం - అమృతం విషం
kimalasyam - amritam visham
When one said " Kimâlasyam ?" the other replied " Âlasya, Arasasya, Pungasya, Puliyasya, Vêpasya." A learned Paṇḍit once asked, in Sanscrit, an ignorant but witty Village priest who had named an unlucky day for an auspicious ceremony " Why this delay? [in explaining the matter]"; the other replied, punning upon the word Âlasya, " Banyan tree, holy fig tree, Punga tree, Tamarind tree, and Margosa tree." ( The words used are Tamil. ) The Village priest had previously to the disputation agreed with his fellow villagers that the man who spoke most words should be considered the more learned of the two; they therefore thrashed the Paṇḍit and turned him out of their village.
This expression is used to emphasize the importance of acting immediately on a good opportunity or a noble task. It suggests that procrastination or unnecessary waiting can ruin the value of a positive outcome, effectively turning something sweet (nectar) into something harmful (poison).
ఆలస్యం అమృతం విషం
alasyam amritam visham
Delay makes even nectar turn into poison
This expression highlights the importance of punctuality and taking timely action. It suggests that even the best opportunities or benefits can lose their value or become harmful if one hesitates or procrastinates for too long.
విషానికి విషమే విరుగుడు
vishaniki vishame virugudu
Poison is the antidote for poison.
This expression is used to suggest that a problem or an evil force can only be neutralized or countered by something of its own nature or intensity. It is similar to the English proverb 'Fight fire with fire' or 'Like cures like.'
తొందరకి ఆలస్యం మొగుడు
tondaraki alasyam mogudu
Delay is the husband (master) of haste.
This proverb is used to warn that being overly hasty often leads to mistakes or complications that ultimately result in even greater delays. It is similar to the English proverb 'Haste makes waste.'
మితము తప్పితే అమృతమయినా విషమే.
mitamu tappite amritamayina vishame.
If you exceed the bounds of moderation nectar too is poison.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of moderation in everything. Just as life-giving nectar can become harmful if consumed excessively, any good thing becomes detrimental when done or used beyond its limits. It is used to advise someone against overindulgence or overdoing a particular task.
గోరంత ఆలస్యం కొండంత నష్టం
goranta alasyam kondanta nashtam
A fingernail-sized delay causes a mountain-sized loss.
This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of punctuality and timely action. It suggests that even a tiny or negligible delay can lead to catastrophic or massive consequences. It is used to advise someone to be prompt and not to underestimate the risks of procrastination.
విషములో పుట్టిన పురుగుకు విషమే ఆహారం.
vishamulo puttina puruguku vishame aharam.
For a worm born in poison, poison itself is the food.
This expression suggests that individuals become accustomed to the environment they are raised in, no matter how toxic or harsh it may be. It is used to describe people who have grown up in negative circumstances and therefore find those conditions normal or even necessary for their survival.
ఆలస్యమైనా అంటుబొడ్డుదాన్నే కనాలి.
alasyamaina antuboddudanne kanali.
Even if it is delayed, one should give birth to a child with an attached umbilical cord.
This proverb emphasizes quality over speed. It suggests that it is better to wait and achieve a perfect or legitimate result rather than rushing and ending up with something flawed or incomplete. It is often used to advise patience in important matters to ensure a successful outcome.
పాముకు విషం పండ్లలో జ్ఞాతికి విషం కండ్లలో
pamuku visham pandlalo jnyatiki visham kandlalo
A snake's poison is in its teeth, while a relative's poison is in their eyes.
This proverb highlights the bitterness or jealousy that can exist between close relatives (gnathulu). It suggests that while a snake carries its venom in its fangs to strike, an envious relative's malice is visible in their gaze or perspective. It is used to caution people about the deep-seated rivalry or 'evil eye' often found within extended families.
నల్లనివాడికి నాభిలో విషం
nallanivadiki nabhilo visham
A dark-complexioned person has poison in their navel.
This is a traditional folk saying used to warn that people who appear dark or quiet might harbor deep-seated cunning or hidden malice. It is often used to suggest that one should be cautious of the hidden intentions of certain individuals, though it is considered a stereotypical or superstitious observation in modern contexts.