ఆలులేనివానికి ఆత్మకూరు
alulenivaniki atmakuru
For a man without a wife, Atmakuru is the place.
This proverb is a play on words using the name of the town 'Atmakuru' (which literally translates to 'Soul-settling' or 'Settling for oneself'). It implies that a bachelor or a widower has no domestic ties or responsibilities, allowing him to live wherever he pleases or focus solely on himself. It is often used to describe the freedom, or sometimes the loneliness and lack of direction, of a man with no family life.
Related Phrases
ఆలులేనివానికి హనుమంతరాయని గుడి, బిడియమిడిచినవాడికి వీరప్పగుడి శరణ్యం
alulenivaniki hanumantarayani gudi, bidiyamidichinavadiki virappagudi sharanyam
For a man without a wife, Hanuman temple is the refuge; for a man who has lost all shame, Veerappa temple is the refuge.
This proverb highlights social realities of the past. It suggests that a single man (bachelor or widower) often spends his time at the local Hanuman temple for companionship or food, while a person who has discarded social inhibitions or decorum ends up at shrines of fierce or peripheral deities (Veerappa), implying they have no place in polite society.
లేనివానికి తెంపు, ఉన్నవానికి మొండి.
lenivaniki tempu, unnavaniki mondi.
The one who has nothing is daring, the one who has everything is stubborn.
This proverb highlights how people's attitudes are shaped by their circumstances. A person with no possessions or status often acts with great courage or recklessness because they have nothing to lose (tempu), whereas a wealthy or powerful person may become stubborn or obstinate (mondi) because of their ego or desire to protect what they have.
గొడ్డులేనివాడు బిడ్డలేనివాడు ఒకటి.
goddulenivadu biddalenivadu okati.
A person without cattle and a person without children are the same.
In traditional agrarian societies, cattle were considered as vital as family members for one's livelihood and legacy. This expression highlights the essential role of livestock in prosperity, implying that lacking them is as significant a loss as not having heirs to carry on the family name or support the household.
అత్తలేని కోడలు ఉత్తమురాలు, కోడలులేని అత్త గుణవంతురాలు.
attaleni kodalu uttamuralu, kodaluleni atta gunavanturalu.
Where there is no mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law is per- fect; where there is no daughter-in-law, the mother-in-law is good tempered. As long I was a daughter-in-law I never had a good mother-in-law, and as long as I was a mother-in-law I never had a good daughter-in-law. (Spanish.)
This proverb is a satirical take on the stereotypical conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. It suggests that they only seem perfect or virtuous when they don't have to interact or deal with each other, implying that friction is inevitable in their relationship.
* Aquella es bien casada, que no tiene suegra ni cuñada. † En cuanto fue suera, nunca tuvo buena suegra, y en cuanto fue suegra, nunca tuvo buena suera.
కానివాడు లేనివానితో జత.
kanivadu lenivanito jata.
An unfit person pairs with a person who has nothing.
This proverb describes the alliance of two individuals who are both lacking in some way—either in character, resources, or capability. It is used to mock an association where neither party can help the other, or to point out that people with negative traits often find common ground with those who have nothing to lose.
లేనివాడు పుడమి లేనివాడు.
lenivadu pudami lenivadu.
One who has not is as one who is not in the world. i. e. A penniless man has nothing in the world.
This proverb highlights the harsh reality of social status and poverty. It suggests that a person without wealth or resources is often treated as if they have no place or belonging in the world, emphasizing how society values individuals based on their possessions.
గతిలేనివానికి కనబడిందే కూడు
gatilenivaniki kanabadinde kudu
For the one who has no way (helpless), whatever is seen is food.
This proverb describes a state of absolute necessity or helplessness. It implies that when a person is in a desperate situation or has no alternatives, they cannot afford to be choosy and must accept whatever is available to them, regardless of quality.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు.
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu.
Hunger knows no taste, and sleep knows no comfort.
This proverb describes how basic human needs transcend quality or luxury when the need is urgent. A starving person does not care if the food is delicious or plain; similarly, an exhausted person can fall asleep on any surface, regardless of comfort.
ఆశలేనివానికి దేశమెందుకు?
ashalenivaniki deshamenduku?
Why should a man without desire be in the world ?
This proverb suggests that for someone who lacks ambition, desire, or interest in life, their surroundings or environment become irrelevant. It implies that a sense of purpose is what drives a person to engage with the world; without it, even a whole country or great opportunities have no value to them. It is used to describe a state of total indifference or renunciation.
కుంటివాని తిప్పలు కుంటివానికి, గూనివాని తిప్పలు గూనివానికి
kuntivani tippalu kuntivaniki, gunivani tippalu gunivaniki
The lame man's struggles are his own, and the hunchback's struggles are his own.
This expression means that every person has their own unique set of problems and struggles which only they truly understand and endure. It is used to emphasize that one cannot compare or diminish someone's hardship, as everyone is preoccupied with their own specific challenges in life.