చవక దూబరదిండికి కారణము
chavaka dubaradindiki karanamu
Cheapness causes extravagance. A good bargain is a pick purse. What is not needed is dear at a farthing. (Latin.)
This expression suggests that buying something just because it is cheap often leads to waste. It is used to advise people that low-quality or inexpensive items may not last long or may be unnecessary, eventually leading to more spending or loss than buying a quality item.
Related Phrases
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
బాతాకానీ వానికి బారానా, నాకూ బారానానేనా?
batakani vaniki barana, naku barananena?
A 'barana' for the talkative one, and is it a 'barana' for me too?
This expression is used when someone who has worked hard feels insulted or undervalued when they receive the same reward or treatment as someone who did nothing but talk. It highlights the injustice of equal pay or credit for unequal effort.
కాలికి చుట్టుకున్న పాము కరవక మానదు
kaliki chuttukunna pamu karavaka manadu
A snake coiled around the leg will not stop without biting.
This expression is used to describe a persistent problem, a dangerous person, or a bad habit that is impossible to ignore or escape from without suffering some damage. It suggests that once you are entangled with something inherently harmful, the negative consequences are inevitable.
నిండు బండికి చేట కూడా బరువే
nindu bandiki cheta kuda baruve
To a fully loaded cart, even a winnowing tray is a burden.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is already overwhelmed or at their maximum capacity. In such a state, even a tiny additional task or responsibility feels like a significant burden. It highlights the 'tipping point' or the 'straw that breaks the camel's back.'
దూబరతిండికి తూమోడు, మానవతికి మానెడు
dubaratindiki tumodu, manavatiki manedu
A 'Thumu' measure for the glutton, a 'Manika' measure for the modest woman.
This proverb highlights the difference in consumption and needs based on temperament and lifestyle. A glutton (one who wastes or overeats) requires a large measure (Thumu), whereas a modest and disciplined person is satisfied with a small measure (Manika). It is used to describe how resources are consumed differently depending on one's self-control and character.
దూబరతిండికి దూడలు బతకవు, ఆణిమొద్దుకు ఆలు బతకవు
dubaratindiki dudalu batakavu, animodduku alu batakavu
Calves do not survive for a glutton, and a wife does not survive for a lazy blockhead.
This proverb highlights the consequences of poor habits and lack of responsibility. A person who consumes everything wastefully (a glutton) leaves nothing to sustain their livestock, and a person who is extremely lazy or stubborn (like a wooden block) cannot maintain a family or relationship because they fail to provide or cooperate. It is used to emphasize that sustainability and family life require discipline and effort.
మేతకరణమేగాని కూతకరణం గాదు.
metakaranamegani kutakaranam gadu.
It is for grazing (eating), not for lowing (shouting).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is very active when it comes to consuming or taking benefits but remains silent or inactive when it is time to work, speak up, or contribute. It highlights a selfish or lazy nature where one is present only for the 'eating' part and absent for the 'effort' part.
అరణంకంటే మరణమే మగవానికి శరణం
aranankante maraname magavaniki sharanam
Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.
This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.
కూత కరణము
kuta karanamu
A karaṇam to talk. A great talker but not good at his work.
This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.
వ్రాత కరణమా? మేత కరణమా?
vrata karanama? meta karanama?
A scribe for writing? Or a scribe for grazing?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).