బావమరిదికంటే మించిన బంధువు లేడు
bavamaridikante minchina bandhuvu ledu
There is no relative greater than a brother-in-law.
This proverb highlights the unique and close bond shared between a man and his brother-in-law (specifically his wife's brother or sister's husband) in Telugu culture. It suggests that this relationship is often characterized by friendship, mutual support, and a lack of the formal tensions sometimes found in other familial ties.
Related Phrases
గోచికి మించిన దరిద్రం లేదు, ఈతకు మించిన లోతులేదు.
gochiki minchina daridram ledu, itaku minchina lotuledu.
There is no poverty beyond a loincloth, and no depth beyond swimming.
This proverb highlights a state of extreme resilience or finality. It suggests that once a person has hit rock bottom (owning only a loincloth), they no longer fear poverty. Similarly, for someone who knows how to swim, no water is too deep. It is used to describe a person who has seen the worst or gained ultimate mastery, making them fearless in the face of challenges.
తలకు మించిన శిక్ష, గోచికి మించిన దరిద్రం లేదు
talaku minchina shiksha, gochiki minchina daridram ledu
There is no punishment greater than beheading, and no poverty worse than having only a loincloth.
This expression is used to describe a state of absolute extremity or the ultimate limit of a situation. It suggests that once someone has reached the absolute lowest point of poverty or the highest form of punishment, they have nothing left to fear or lose. It is often used to convey resilience or indifference in the face of further threats when one is already in a dire state.
ఈతకు మించిన లోతూ, గోచికి మించిన దారిద్ర్యమూ లేదు.
itaku minchina lotu, gochiki minchina daridryamu ledu.
There is no greater depth to the man who is obliged to swim, nor poverty to him who is reduced to a clout.
This proverb conveys two main points: first, that no problem is too deep if you have the skill (swimming) to handle it; second, it describes a state of ultimate poverty or simplification where one has nothing left to lose, often implying that once you reach rock bottom, you are free from further fear or loss.
Reduced to the last extremity.
ఈతకంటే మించిన లోతు లేదు.
itakante minchina lotu ledu.
When a man has to swim it matters not what the depth is. When a man determines to face his difficulties nothing daunts him.
This proverb suggests that once you know how to swim, no depth of water is too deep or intimidating. Metaphorically, it implies that when one possesses the necessary skill, confidence, or experience to handle a situation, the magnitude of the problem no longer matters.
Over shoes, over boots. It is all the same whether a man has both legs in the stocks or one. (German.)* * Mit belden Bienen im Stock, oder mit Einem, ist gleichviel.
పాగావంటి బంధువుడూ లేడు, అంగరకావంటి హరాంభోరూ లేడు.
pagavanti bandhuvudu ledu, angarakavanti harambhoru ledu.
There is no relation like your turband, there is no scamp equal to your jacket. A turband can be tied so as to hide all holes, which is not the case with the jacket; the turband is therefore likened to a trustworthy friend, and the jacket to an unfaithful fellow.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting on social status and the burden of maintenance. A turban (paga) represents one's honor and dignity, staying close like a loyal relative. In contrast, an 'Angaraka' (a traditional long coat) requires constant care and cleaning, much like a person who consumes resources without giving back (harambhoru/freeloader).
రాతకు మించిన లోతు లేదు.
rataku minchina lotu ledu.
There is no depth greater than what is written.
This expression suggests that destiny or fate (what is written on one's forehead) is the ultimate reality and depth of life. It implies that no matter how much one tries to analyze or change things, one cannot go beyond what is destined.
బుడ్డగోచి కన్న మించిన దారిద్ర్యం లేదు, చావుకన్న మించిన కష్టం లేదు
buddagochi kanna minchina daridryam ledu, chavukanna minchina kashtam ledu
There is no poverty greater than a small loincloth, and no hardship greater than death.
This proverb is used to define the extremes of the human condition. It suggests that absolute poverty is symbolized by having nothing but the barest essential clothing (buddagochi), and that death is the ultimate suffering or end of all struggles. It is often cited to put one's problems into perspective or to describe a state of total destitution.
ప్రొద్దున వచ్చిన బంధువూ వానా నిలవవు
prodduna vachchina bandhuvu vana nilavavu
A relation and rain coming in the morning don't stay.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of certain events. Just as morning rain usually clears up quickly to make way for the day, a guest who arrives early in the morning is often expected to complete their business and leave by evening. It is used to suggest that things starting early often finish early.
ఈతకు మించిన లోతు లేదు, గోచికి మించిన దారిద్ర్యము లేదు.
itaku minchina lotu ledu, gochiki minchina daridryamu ledu.
There is no depth beyond swimming, and there is no poverty beyond a loincloth.
This proverb highlights the limits of human experience and resilience. It means that once you know how to swim, no depth of water is insurmountable, and once you are reduced to wearing just a loincloth, there is no further state of poverty to fear. It is often used to suggest that once the worst has happened or the ultimate skill is acquired, one becomes fearless.
బంధువులంతా ఒక దిక్కు, బావమరిది ఇంకొక దిక్కు
bandhuvulanta oka dikku, bavamaridi inkoka dikku
All relatives on one side, while the brother-in-law is on the other side.
This expression is used to describe a person who is stubbornly contrarian or non-conformist. It refers to a situation where everyone agrees on a particular path or opinion, but one specific individual (metaphorically the brother-in-law) insists on taking a completely different or opposite stance, often causing a deadlock or isolation.