చాకలి, మంగలి పొత్తు ఇంటికి రాదు విత్తు.
chakali, mangali pottu intiki radu vittu.
Partnership with a washerman or a barber results in no seed coming home.
This proverb highlights that partnering with people who are constantly wandering from house to house or who do not have a stake in agricultural production leads to a lack of savings or harvest. It is used to suggest that one should choose business partners whose interests and professional habits align with the goal of the venture, otherwise, the resources will be squandered or mismanaged.
Related Phrases
అప్ప అదనుకూ రాదు, ఆకలికీ రాదు
appa adanuku radu, akaliki radu
A sister who is neither there for the occasion nor for the hunger.
This proverb describes someone or something that is useless because they are never available when actually needed. It refers to a person who fails to show up both during important ceremonies (occasions) and during times of desperate need (hunger). It is used to point out the unreliability of a resource or person.
ఆలికి అదుపు ఇంటికి పొదుపు
aliki adupu intiki podupu
Discipline for the wife and frugality for the home.
This traditional proverb suggests that a well-managed household depends on two main pillars: a disciplined or well-behaved spouse who maintains order, and the practice of saving money or being thrifty. It is used to emphasize the importance of self-control and financial management in achieving domestic harmony and prosperity.
కొట్టిన ఇంటి కంబమగునా
kottina inti kambamaguna
Does hitting it make it a pillar of the house?
This proverb is used to describe an irreversible situation or a permanent loss of utility. Just as hitting or damaging a tree or wood doesn't turn it into a supportive house pillar, some actions or punishments cannot fix a fundamental flaw or undo a mistake that has already occurred.
చాకలి అత్త, మంగలి మామ
chakali atta, mangali mama
A washerwoman of a mother-in-law, a barber of a father- in-law. A man abusing his wife's parents.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an individual is surrounded by people who are constantly gossiping or leaking secrets. In traditional village settings, the washerman (Chakali) and the barber (Mangali) visited every household and were known to be the primary sources of local news and gossip. Having them as close relatives implies that one's private matters will never remain secret and will be broadcast to the entire community.
ఒంటరివాని పాటు ఇంటికి రాదు.
ontarivani patu intiki radu.
The hardship of a lonely person does not reach home.
This expression means that the labor or efforts of a person without a family or support system are often wasted or unacknowledged. In a broader sense, it highlights that when one works only for themselves without anyone to share the benefits or the burden, the true value of that work is lost.
చాకలివాని భార్యకు మంగలివాడు విడాకులు ఇచ్చినట్లు
chakalivani bharyaku mangalivadu vidakulu ichchinatlu
Like the barber's giving a written divorcement to the washerwoman's wife.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or illogical situation where a person interferes in a matter that they have absolutely no authority or legal standing over. It refers to someone trying to settle or decide an issue that does not involve them at all.
మంగలి పాత, చాకలి కొత్త
mangali pata, chakali kotta
An old barber and a new washerman. An old physician, a young lawyer. A barber learns to shave by shaving fools.
This proverb refers to traditional preferences in village life: a barber's razor or tools are considered better when they are 'old' (well-seasoned/tested), whereas a washerman is judged by how 'new' (clean/fresh) the clothes look. It is used to describe how different professions or situations require different standards—some value experience and age, while others value freshness and appearance.
విత్తుకు వేయి విత్తులు
vittuku veyi vittulu
A thousand seeds for a single seed
This expression highlights the principle of exponential growth and abundance. It is used to describe how a small initial effort, investment, or act of kindness can yield results many times greater than the original input.
విత్తనము వేసి, పొత్తు కలిపినట్లు.
vittanamu vesi, pottu kalipinatlu.
Like sowing a seed and immediately asking for a partnership in the harvest.
This expression is used to describe someone who is overly impatient or seeks immediate benefits from an action that takes time to bear fruit. It highlights the absurdity of wanting to share the results right after the initial effort is made, without allowing for the natural growth process.
చాకలి కొత్త, మంగలి పాత
chakali kotta, mangali pata
A new washerman, but an old barber.
This proverb advises on how to choose service providers based on the nature of their work. A new washerman (Chakali) is preferred because he will be more diligent and wash clothes cleaner to prove his worth. Conversely, an old barber (Mangali) is preferred because his experienced hands are less likely to cause cuts and he understands the client's preferences better.