బడికి బెత్తం మడికి గెత్తం
badiki bettam madiki gettam
A cane for the school and manure for the field.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline and nourishment for growth. Just as a field needs fertilizer (manure) to yield a good crop, a student needs discipline (symbolized by the cane) to acquire knowledge and character. It is used to explain that different environments require specific tools or methods to produce the best results.
Related Phrases
చిలుం పట్టలేనివాడికి చిత్తం కుదరదు
chilum pattalenivadiki chittam kudaradu
For one who cannot hold the pipe, the mind does not settle.
This expression refers to those who are addicted to smoking or specific habits, suggesting that until they satisfy their craving, they cannot focus or find peace of mind. In a broader sense, it describes how a person's concentration is often dependent on fulfilling their basic comforts or addictions.
అల్లుడికి పెట్టు, ఇల్లాలికి గుట్టు.
alludiki pettu, illaliki guttu.
Serve the son-in-law, keep the secret for the wife.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintaining family dignity and harmony. It suggests that one should treat guests (like the son-in-law) with great hospitality while keeping internal family matters or hardships private to protect the wife's (or the household's) reputation.
మడికి గట్టు, మాటకు గుట్టు.
madiki gattu, mataku guttu.
An embankment for the field, a secret for the word.
Just as an embankment (bund) is necessary to hold water and protect a field, a sense of secrecy or discretion is essential for maintaining the value and integrity of a conversation or a promise. It emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and thinking before speaking.
ఇంటికి చుట్టం వస్తే, పొట్టగంజి వాడికి దుఃఖం
intiki chuttam vaste, pottaganji vadiki duhkham
When a guest arrives at the house, it is a cause of sorrow for the one living on gruel.
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty where a person barely has enough to feed themselves (potta ganji). When a guest arrives, the host feels distressed or sorrowful because they lack the resources to offer hospitality or even share their meager meal. It is used to illustrate situations where one's own survival is so precarious that any additional social obligation becomes an unbearable burden.
జీతగాడికి నేతగాడికి చావులేదు.
jitagadiki netagadiki chavuledu.
A wage earner and a weaver have no death.
This proverb highlights the endless nature of labor for certain professions. Just as a weaver's work is never done because people always need clothes, a manual laborer or servant is always in demand and must keep working to survive. It implies that their toil is perpetual and they are constantly kept busy by the needs of society.
పాడికి పంట తమ్ముడు
padiki panta tammudu
Crop is the younger brother of dairy farming
This proverb highlights the interdependence of agriculture and animal husbandry. It suggests that where there is dairy (cattle), a good harvest naturally follows, as they complement each other's success and provide a holistic livelihood for a farmer.
చేనికి ఎరువు, మడికి మంద.
cheniki eruvu, madiki manda.
Manure for the field, a flock for the plot.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of fertilization in agriculture. It suggests that just as manure enriches the crop field, allowing a flock of sheep or cattle to stay in a small plot (penning) naturally fertilizes the soil with their waste, ensuring a healthy yield. It is used to highlight that timely and appropriate inputs lead to better results.
ఇంటింటికీ గుట్టు, మడికీ గట్టు
intintiki guttu, madiki gattu
Every house has its secrets, every field has its bunds.
This proverb emphasizes that every family or household has private matters or internal problems that should remain confidential. Just as a 'gattu' (bund/embankment) defines and protects the boundaries of a field, 'guttu' (secrecy/privacy) protects the dignity and reputation of a family.
తినబెట్టమంటే వినబెట్టమన్నట్లు
tinabettamante vinabettamannatlu
When asked to feed, they asked to listen.
This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids doing a specific requested task by offering an irrelevant or useless alternative. It highlights an uncooperative attitude where one pretends to help but avoids the actual effort or responsibility required, similar to someone offering words instead of food to a hungry person.
స్వర్గానికి బెత్తెడు ఎడం
svarganiki bettedu edam
A hand-span distance from heaven
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme joy, pride, or elation where someone feels like they are on top of the world. It is often used to describe someone who is acting overly arrogant or is so happy that they feel they have almost reached heaven.