బర్రె దూడ వద్దా, పాత అప్పుల వాడి వద్దా ఉండరాదు.
barre duda vadda, pata appula vadi vadda undaradu.
You should not stay near a young buffalo, or an old creditor.
This proverb warns about potential dangers or troubles. Standing near a buffalo's calf is dangerous because the mother buffalo may attack to protect it. Similarly, being near an old creditor is risky as they will inevitably demand their money back, causing social embarrassment or financial pressure. It advises staying away from situations that trigger trouble.
Related Phrases
అప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట, చెప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట పోకూడదు.
appulunna vadi venta, cheppulunna vadi venta pokudadu.
Do not follow a person in debt, nor a person wearing sandals.
This proverb warns against following people who might cause trouble or leave you behind. A debtor might flee suddenly to escape creditors, leading you into their mess, while someone with sandals can walk faster through rough terrain, potentially leaving you stranded or forcing you to keep an unsustainable pace.
కొత్త అప్పుకు పోతే, పాత అప్పు పైన పడ్డది.
kotta appuku pote, pata appu paina paddadi.
When he went to raise a new loan, the old debt fell upon him. i. e. His creditor reminded him of the old score.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to solve an existing problem or acquire a new resource results in being confronted by previous unresolved obligations. It is used when someone's efforts to move forward are hindered by their past mistakes or debts suddenly demanding attention.
కంసాలి వద్ద ఉండవలె, కుంపట్లో ఉండవలె.
kamsali vadda undavale, kumpatlo undavale.
It must be with the goldsmith, or in the chafing-dish. Said of gold made away with by a swindling goldsmith.
This proverb is used to describe things or situations that have no middle ground or compromise. It refers to gold, which must either be in the hands of the goldsmith to be shaped or in the furnace (brazier) to be purified. It implies that a person or a task should either be completely involved in the process or undergoing transformation, leaving no room for being idle or halfway done.
వేరు పడ్డ కాపురం, గట్టు పడ్డ పొలం
veru padda kapuram, gattu padda polam
A family that has split and a field that has been embanked.
This proverb is used to describe a state of stability and organized living. Just as embankments (bunds) protect a field by defining boundaries and preventing water loss, a family living separately (splitting from a large joint family into a nuclear one) is often seen as becoming more focused, settled, and manageable in its own space.
పేదవాడి పెళ్ళాం ఊరికంతా వదిన
pedavadi pellam urikanta vadina
A poor man's wife is a sister-in-law to the whole village.
This proverb highlights how people tend to take liberties with those who lack social or financial standing. Just as a 'Vadina' (sister-in-law) is someone one can joke with or command in a traditional family, a poor person's family is often treated with a lack of respect or boundaries by everyone in society because they lack the power to protest.
కుండలో కూడు కూడుగానే ఉండవలె, పిల్లలు మొద్దుల్లాగా ఉండవలె
kundalo kudu kudugane undavale, pillalu moddullaga undavale
The food must remain undiminished in the pot, and the children must be fat and strong.
This is a sarcastic or satirical expression used to describe someone who has unrealistic, contradictory, or impossible expectations. It depicts a person who wants to keep their resources (food) untouched while expecting those they are responsible for (children) to stay quiet and still without needing any sustenance. It is used to mock stinginess or illogical management.
To wish for two things opposed to each other. You can't eat your cake and have it too. 15 ( 113 )
కర్ర ఎవడిదో బర్రె వాడిది
karra evadido barre vadidi
The buffalo belongs to the one who holds the stick
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Might is Right.' It implies that the person who possesses power, authority, or the means of enforcement (the stick) ultimately controls the resources (the buffalo). It is used to describe situations where strength or influence dictates ownership and outcomes, often regardless of fairness or legality.
మతిమరుపు వానికి మల్లిరుపు వాడు
matimarupu vaniki mallirupu vadu
For the forgetful man, there is the thorny man.
This proverb describes the interaction between two people with different flaws: one who is extremely forgetful and another who is highly irritable or troublesome. It implies that for every person with a particular weakness, there is someone else who will provoke or challenge that weakness, often leading to a difficult situation.
దూడ బర్రె ఉండగా గుంజ అరిచినట్టు
duda barre undaga gunja arichinattu
Like blaming the post when the calf or the she buffalo bellowed.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the primary people involved in an issue remain silent or calm, but an unrelated or insignificant third party makes a lot of noise or fuss. It highlights unnecessary interference or someone overstepping their role when they have no stake in the matter.
మాట తప్పిన వాడు మాల వాడు
mata tappina vadu mala vadu
He that breaks his word is a Pariah.
This proverb emphasizes the supreme importance of honesty and integrity. It suggests that a person's character and social standing are defined by their ability to keep promises. Historically, it was used to imply that failing to honor one's word leads to a loss of honor and respect in society, comparing the act of lying to being cast out of the social order.