బడెతె కలవానిదే బర్రె

badete kalavanide barre

Translation

The buffalo belongs to the one who holds the stick.

Meaning

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Might is Right.' It implies that power, influence, or physical force often determines ownership or control, regardless of who is legally or morally right. It is used to describe situations where a strong person dominates the weak.

Related Phrases

To a completely naked man, a man with only a waist-thread is a beggar.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has absolutely nothing looks down upon or considers someone else poor, even if that person has slightly more than them. It highlights the irony of people in desperate or inferior positions judging others who are marginally better off or in the same boat.

For the wedding of an uncouth man, a stick serves as the musical instrument.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a simple or crude person receives a treatment or celebration that is equally crude or low-quality. It suggests that the arrangements or surroundings match the character or status of the person involved.

The song belongs to the one who is drunk, and the game belongs to the one who is successful.

This proverb describes how authority or influence works in certain situations. It suggests that a person who is intoxicated will sing whatever they like regardless of skill, and similarly, the world follows and applauds the person who is currently successful or in power. It is used to highlight that rules often bend for those who are currently influential or dominating a situation.

If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.

This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.

Unless the head is burnt, the begging bowl will not be filled.

This proverb emphasizes that hard work, struggle, or intense effort (symbolized by the heat of the sun burning one's head) is necessary to earn a livelihood or achieve results. It implies that without facing difficulties or putting in significant labor, one cannot expect to fulfill their needs or find success.

Work happens only when ten people join together

This expression emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collective effort. It suggests that significant tasks or social responsibilities cannot be accomplished by an individual alone and require the cooperation of the community or a group.

The kingdom belongs to the one with the voice; the buffalo belongs to the one with the stick.

This proverb highlights that power and success often belong to those who can speak assertively or those who possess physical strength. In the first part, it implies that the person who can communicate effectively or shout the loudest often dominates social situations or politics. In the second part, it refers to 'might is right,' where the person with the most force or resources gets to claim ownership.

The hand does not burn without touching fire

This expression is used to imply that every effect has a cause, or that someone wouldn't be in trouble or facing consequences unless they had done something to provoke it. It is similar to the English proverb 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'

If the mountain turns black, it rains; if the nipple turns black, a child is coming.

This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) used to describe natural signs of inevitable events. It compares the darkening of clouds over mountains (signaling rain) to the physiological changes in a woman's breast during pregnancy (signaling a baby). It highlights the predictability of nature and life through observation.

Without touching, fire wouldn’t scorch.

If one does not make a mistake, the question of punishment does not arise. It is therefore necessary to avoid wrong conduct, in the first place.