అప్పు లేకపోతే ఉప్పుగంజే మేలు
appu lekapote uppuganje melu
Rice water and salt without debt are good.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble life with minimal resources is far superior to living in luxury or comfort if it means being burdened by financial debt.
Without debt, without care. (Italian.) * He is rich enough who owes nothing. (French.)†
Related Phrases
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
మోహము లేకపోతే, మోదము లేదు.
mohamu lekapote, modamu ledu.
Where there is no love, there is no delight.
This proverb explains that without passion, attachment, or desire (Mohamu) for something, one cannot experience true happiness or delight (Modamu) in achieving or having it. It highlights that interest is the prerequisite for enjoyment.
ఉసురు ఉంటే ఉప్పు అమ్ముకుని బ్రతకవచ్చు
usuru unte uppu ammukuni bratakavachchu
If you preserve your life, you can at least live by selling salt. Used as an argument not to risk life for the sake of gain.
This proverb emphasizes that life is the most precious asset. As long as one is alive and healthy, they can find some way to make a living, even through the humblest of jobs like selling salt. It is used to encourage resilience and hope during times of great loss or financial ruin.
ఎవ్వడూ లేకపోతే అక్క మొగుడే దిక్కు
evvadu lekapote akka mogude dikku
If no one is available, the elder sister's husband is the only resort.
This proverb describes a situation where one settles for a less-than-ideal or makeshift option because there are no other alternatives available. It is often used to comment on choosing someone or something as a last resort when the primary or better options are missing.
అన్నము లేకపోతే వరి అన్నము, బట్ట లేకపోతే పట్టుబట్ట.
annamu lekapote vari annamu, batta lekapote pattubatta.
If you have no common food, [give me] the best; if you have no common cloth, [give me] a silk one.
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe someone who, when they lack basic necessities, demands or expects high-end luxuries instead of seeking practical alternatives. It highlights the irony of having extravagant tastes or unrealistic expectations while being in a state of poverty or deprivation.
Said by an impertinent beggar when refused assistance by a stingy person.
అన్ని రుచులూ సరేగాని, అందులో ఉప్పు లేదు.
anni ruchulu saregani, andulo uppu ledu.
All the flavours are right, but there is no salt in it. Said of badly prepared food.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something has all the superficial qualities or fancy elements but lacks the most essential ingredient or core component needed for it to be useful or satisfying. Just as salt is vital for the taste of food, this highlights a fundamental missing piece in an otherwise grand effort.
అయితే ఆతుకూరు లేకపోతే పోలేపల్లి
ayite atukuru lekapote polepalli
Either Atukuru or Polepalli.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, rigid, or lives in extremes. It refers to someone who lacks flexibility and will only consider two specific, often distant or binary options, with no middle ground or compromise in between.
అప్పు చేసీ పప్పు కూడు.
appu chesi pappu kudu.
Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.
Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.
మున్నూటి కులానికి ముప్పు లేదు, మొండి కాలికి చెప్పు లేదు.
munnuti kulaniki muppu ledu, mondi kaliki cheppu ledu.
The pedigree of a family numbering three hundred branches cannot be traced nor can a shoe be made to fit a mained foot. A hopeless task.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social observations. The first part suggests that a large, united community (specifically the Munnuru Kapu) is resilient and protected from threats. The second part is a metaphorical observation that some things are impractical or impossible, such as fitting a sandal on a leg without a foot. It is used to describe inherent strengths or undeniable, sometimes harsh, realities.
గతిలేనమ్మకు గంజే పానకము.
gatilenammaku ganje panakamu.
Rice water is a rich drink to a poor lady. Pânakam is a rich beverage made of expensive materials.
This proverb describes a situation where someone in extreme poverty or with no alternatives considers even the most basic or low-quality thing as a great luxury. It is used to highlight how necessity and lack of choice change one's perspective on value.