ఆపదలో ఆదుకోవాలి, ఆస్తిలో పంచుకోవాలి.
apadalo adukovali, astilo panchukovali.
Help in times of danger, share in times of wealth.
This proverb emphasizes the reciprocal nature of relationships and fairness. It means that if you want a share in someone's prosperity or inheritance (property), you must also be willing to stand by them and provide support when they are in trouble or facing a crisis.
Related Phrases
బలవంతుని చేయి పడితే, బావి అయినా చూసుకోవాలి, చంక అయినా చేరాలి
balavantuni cheyi padite, bavi ayina chusukovali, chanka ayina cherali
When a strong man's hand falls on you, you must either look for a well or seek refuge in his armpit.
This proverb highlights the helplessness of the weak when confronted by a powerful person. It implies that when a dominant force exerts pressure, one's only options are extreme: either face total destruction (jumping into a well) or complete surrender and subservience (seeking shelter under their arm). It is used to describe situations where there is no middle ground or fair negotiation possible against someone with overwhelming power.
పడ్డచోటనే వెతుక్కోవాలి
paddachotane vetukkovali
One must search exactly where they fell
This expression emphasizes that the solution to a problem is often found at its source. It is used to advise someone to look for a lost item or resolve a failure by retracing their steps to the exact point where the mistake occurred or the item was lost.
అని అనిపించుకోవలెనా అత్తగారా?
ani anipinchukovalena attagara?
O mother-in-law, should you accuse me and bring a reproach on yourself in return ?
This expression is used sarcastically or ironically when someone tries to cover up their obvious mistakes or bad behavior by pretending to be concerned about their reputation. It originates from a folk story where a daughter-in-law behaves poorly and then asks if she deserves the bad name she is getting, highlighting hypocrisy.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
గాలి కోసం చెప్పులు బళ్ళో పెట్టుకోవాలి
gali kosam cheppulu ballo pettukovali
To get wind, one must put their slippers in a cart.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task in a counter-productive or illogical way. It signifies that the effort being put in will not yield the desired result because the method is fundamentally flawed, much like thinking that putting slippers in a cart will somehow generate a breeze.
చెల్లెలి వరుస విడిచి చేసుకోవాలి, తల్లి వరుస తప్పి చేసుకోవాలి
chelleli varusa vidichi chesukovali, talli varusa tappi chesukovali
One should marry leaving the relation of a sister and avoiding the relation of a mother.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to explain marriage alliances and exogamy. It signifies that one can marry a girl who doesn't fall into the category of a 'sister' (like a paternal uncle's daughter or maternal aunt's daughter) or 'mother' (certain maternal clan relations) according to cultural lineage rules. It emphasizes following social and biological protocols in matrimonial matches.
తగిలించుకోవడం సులభం, వదిలించుకోవడం కష్టం.
tagilinchukovadam sulabham, vadilinchukovadam kashtam.
It is easy to get attached, but hard to get rid of.
This expression is used to describe habits, relationships, or problems that are easy to start or acquire, but extremely difficult to escape or resolve. It is often used as a warning against picking up bad habits or entering into complicated commitments.
ప్రాణం పోయినా మానం దక్కించుకోవలె
pranam poyina manam dakkinchukovale
Even if life is lost, honor must be saved.
This proverb emphasizes that one's dignity and honor are far more important than physical existence. It is used to inspire integrity and courage, suggesting that it is better to die with honor than to live in disgrace or shame.
ప్రాణం పోయినా మానం దక్కించుకోవాలి
pranam poyina manam dakkinchukovali
Even if life is lost, one must protect their honor.
This expression emphasizes that self-respect and dignity are more valuable than life itself. It is used to encourage someone to uphold their integrity and reputation even in the face of extreme adversity or life-threatening situations.
నూతిలో నీరు తోడుకోవాలిగాని, తనంతట తానే పైకి వస్తుందా?
nutilo niru todukovaligani, tanantata tane paiki vastunda?
One must draw water from the well; will it come up on its own?
This expression emphasizes that effort is mandatory to achieve results. Just as water stays at the bottom of a well unless someone puts in the work to pull it up, success or resources will not manifest without proactive human action.
పొగాకు అడుక్కోవాలి, అందలం బయట పెట్టరా అన్నట్లు
pogaku adukkovali, andalam bayata pettara annatlu
Asking for tobacco while ordering someone to bring out the palanquin.
This expression is used to describe a person who behaves with excessive pride or maintains a high status ego even when they are in a state of poverty or are begging for basic needs. It highlights the irony of someone who lacks even a bit of tobacco but still speaks in a commanding tone as if they are royalty.