భటుడు వెంట లేక ప్రభుడు శోభింపడు
bhatudu venta leka prabhudu shobhimpadu
Without a soldier following him, a lord does not shine.
This expression emphasizes that a leader's greatness or status is validated and enhanced by their followers or subordinates. It is used to suggest that even a powerful person needs the support and presence of others to maintain their image and effectiveness.
Related Phrases
అప్పులున్నవాడి వెంట చెప్పులున్న వాడి వెంట పోరాదు.
appulunnavadi venta cheppulunna vadi venta poradu.
Do not walk behind a debtor or someone wearing sandals.
This proverb warns against following people who are in a hurry or in trouble. A debtor is always running away from creditors, and someone with footwear can walk fast or tread on rough ground where you might not be able to keep up. It is used as a metaphor to advise staying away from people who are either fleeing their responsibilities or have an advantage that might lead you into difficult situations.
శోభనం నాడు సంతోషం, పురిటి నొప్పుల్లో ఏడుపు తప్పవా
shobhanam nadu santosham, puriti noppullo edupu tappava
Joy on the wedding night and crying during labor pains - aren't both inevitable?
This proverb highlights that life is a package of both pleasure and pain. Just as one enjoys the intimacy of marriage, one must also endure the inevitable pain of childbirth that follows. It is used to suggest that if you choose a certain path for its benefits, you must be prepared to face the associated hardships as well.
ప్రజల మాటే ప్రభువు కోట
prajala mate prabhuvu kota
The word of the people is the ruler's fortress.
This proverb highlights the power of democracy and public opinion. It means that a leader's true strength and security lie in the support and will of the people they govern, rather than in physical walls or weapons. It is used to emphasize that a ruler must listen to their subjects to remain successful.
వెంట పోయినా వెనుక పోరాదు
venta poyina venuka poradu
Even if you go along with someone, do not walk behind them.
This proverb suggests that it is better to walk beside someone as an equal or companion rather than following them like a servant or subordinate. It emphasizes self-respect and warns against putting oneself in a position where one might be ignored or treated with less importance while traveling or working together.
లేనివాడు లేక ఏడిస్తే, ఉన్నవాడు తినలేక పడ్డాడట
lenivadu leka ediste, unnavadu tinaleka paddadata
While the one who has nothing cries because he lacks, the one who has everything suffers because he cannot eat it.
This proverb highlights that both poverty and wealth come with their own sets of problems. While a poor person suffers from deprivation, a rich person may suffer from health issues, greed, or the inability to enjoy their abundance. It is often used to describe situations where everyone has a grievance, regardless of their status.
రజకుని గానము, రండా ప్రభుత్వము
rajakuni ganamu, randa prabhutvamu
The washerman's song and a widow's rule.
This proverb is used to describe a situation of total chaos, lack of coordination, or mismanagement. Just as a washerman's loud, rhythmic shouting while washing clothes lacks melody, and (historically/metaphorically) a household or state without a proper leader was thought to lack order, this phrase signifies a messy or dysfunctional environment.
వాదులేక ప్రాణం, దాదిలేక రాణి పోరు.
vaduleka pranam, dadileka rani poru.
A life without an opponent, and a queen without a maid, go to waste.
This proverb highlights that life lacks vitality or challenge without a competitor or an adversary (vadu). Similarly, a queen's status or influence feels diminished if she doesn't have a maid (dadi) to serve or interact with. It is used to express that certain roles or situations require a counterpart to be meaningful or lively.
అచ్చమ్మ పెళ్లిలో బుచ్చమ్మ శోభనం
achchamma pellilo buchchamma shobhanam
Buchamma's nuptials at Achamma's wedding.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to fulfill their own personal needs or complete their own tasks while attending or helping out at someone else's major event. It refers to an inappropriate or opportunistic timing where one's private affairs are mixed into another person's public celebration.
దాతలు లేక గాదు, మాకు వ్రాత లేక
datalu leka gadu, maku vrata leka
It's not that there are no donors, it's that we don't have the fate written for it.
This proverb is used to express that even when help or resources are available, one may not receive them due to their own poor luck or destiny. It highlights the belief that one's fate (vratha) is the ultimate decider of what they receive, regardless of the generosity of others.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.