అన్నం ఎక్కువైతే ఆచారం ఎక్కువ, ఆచారం ఎక్కువైతే గ్రహచారం తక్కువ.
annam ekkuvaite acharam ekkuva, acharam ekkuvaite grahacharam takkuva.
If food is in excess, rituals increase; if rituals increase, fortune decreases.
This proverb suggests that when people have too much luxury or idle time, they tend to focus excessively on rigid traditions and unnecessary rituals. However, becoming overly obsessed with such formalities can lead to one's downfall or misfortune. It is a cautionary saying about maintaining balance and avoiding extreme pedantry.
Related Phrases
తెలివితక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivitakkuva, akali ekkuva
Low intelligence, high hunger
This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.
ఈ ఇంట ఆచారమా, మా గ్రహచారమా?
i inta acharama, ma grahacharama?
Is it a tradition in this house, or is it our misfortune?
This expression is used when someone encounters strange, illogical, or unfair practices in a specific place or household. It highlights a dilemma where one cannot distinguish whether a bad experience is due to the established rules of the house (tradition) or simply their own bad luck (misfortune).
కూడు ఎక్కువైతే కులమెక్కున
kudu ekkuvaite kulamekkuna
Does one's caste or status increase just because they have plenty of food?
This proverb is used to criticize those who become arrogant or forget their roots and humble beginnings once they achieve prosperity or wealth. It serves as a reminder that having excess resources (food/wealth) does not change one's fundamental identity or make them superior to others.
తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలెక్కువ.
telivi takkuva, akalekkuva.
Low intelligence, high hunger.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or productivity but has excessive demands or needs. It highlights a mismatch between one's capabilities and their consumption or expectations, often used sarcastically to mock laziness or incompetence combined with greed.
జీవం తక్కువ, జీతం ఎక్కువ
jivam takkuva, jitam ekkuva
Life is less, salary is more
This expression refers to a situation where a job or a person involves very little physical effort or productivity, yet receives a high salary or compensation. It is often used to comment on laziness or overpaid positions where the output does not justify the pay.
బతుకు తక్కువైనా బడాయి ఎక్కువ
batuku takkuvaina badayi ekkuva
Even if life is low, the boasting is high
This expression describes a person who lives in humble or poor conditions but pretends to be very wealthy or superior. It is used to criticize someone who shows off excessively despite having no real status or resources to back it up.
వాన ఎక్కువైతే రొంపి కరువు, వాన తక్కువైతే వరపు కరువు.
vana ekkuvaite rompi karuvu, vana takkuvaite varapu karuvu.
If the rain is excessive, there's a scarcity due to mud; if the rain is insufficient, there's a scarcity due to drought.
This proverb highlights the delicate balance required in nature for agriculture and life. It explains that extreme conditions in either direction—too much rain (leading to waterlogging and rot) or too little rain (leading to drying up)—result in the same outcome: a lack of food and resources. It is used to describe situations where both extremes are equally detrimental.
ధర తక్కువ బంగారానికి దాటి ఎక్కువ
dhara takkuva bangaraniki dati ekkuva
Low-priced gold has more impurities.
This proverb is used to indicate that when something is sold at an unusually low price, it is often of poor quality or has many defects. It is a cautionary saying used to remind people that 'you get what you pay for' and that cheap goods often come with hidden costs or flaws.
కూటికి తక్కువైనా కులానికి తక్కువా?
kutiki takkuvaina kulaniki takkuva?
Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?
This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.
ఆచారం ముందర, అనాచారం వెనక
acharam mundara, anacharam venaka
Purity first and impurity after. Impurity always attends purity.
This proverb refers to hypocrisy or double standards. It describes a situation where someone publicly follows all religious or social customs strictly (outward display), but privately indulges in unethical or prohibited activities. It is used to criticize people who act righteous only when being watched.