చేసినమ్మ చేప చేయనమ్మ చెదలు
chesinamma chepa cheyanamma chedalu
The woman who worked got fish, the woman who didn't got termites.
This proverb emphasizes that hard work leads to fruitful results, while laziness or procrastination leads to waste and decay. It is used to motivate someone to put in effort to reap rewards rather than letting opportunities rot away.
Related Phrases
ఇస్తినమ్మ వాయనం, పుచ్చుకుంటినమ్మ వాయనం
istinamma vayanam, puchchukuntinamma vayanam
I gave the offering, dear lady; I received the offering, dear lady.
This expression describes a situation where a task or ritual is performed purely for the sake of formality without any real impact, progress, or meaningful exchange. It is often used to mock someone who returns a favor or a debt immediately just to get it over with, or when something is given and taken back so quickly that the whole transaction becomes pointless.
బిడ్డలను కన్నమ్మా, భిక్షము పెట్టినమ్మా చెడరు
biddalanu kannamma, bhikshamu pettinamma chedaru
The mother who gave birth to children and the mother who gave alms will never perish.
This proverb emphasizes the virtues of motherhood and charity. It suggests that those who perform selfless acts—such as raising children or helping the needy—will always be blessed, protected, and will never face total ruin in life due to the good karma they have accumulated.
చెడి బతికినమ్మ చేతులు జూడు, బతికి చెడ్డమ్మ చెవులు జూడు
chedi batikinamma chetulu judu, batiki cheddamma chevulu judu
Look at the hands of the woman who prospered after poverty, and the ears of the woman who fell into poverty after being rich.
This proverb highlights how past status leaves marks on a person. A woman who was once poor but became rich will have rough hands from previous hard labor. Conversely, a woman who was once wealthy but became poor will have stretched earlobes from years of wearing heavy gold jewelry. It is used to describe how one's history and background can be identified through subtle signs, regardless of their current situation.
బుక్కెడు తిన్నమ్మ బూరుగు మ్రాను, చేరెడు తిన్నమ్మ చెక్కపేడు
bukkedu tinnamma burugu mranu, cheredu tinnamma chekkapedu
She who ate a mouthful is like a silk cotton tree trunk; she who ate a handful is like a thin sliver of wood.
This proverb is a sarcastic comment on how people's physical appearance often contradicts their claims about their food intake. It describes a situation where someone who claims to eat very little (a mouthful) is actually quite heavy or large, while someone who claims to eat more (a handful) remains very thin. It is used to mock hypocrisy or hidden habits regarding consumption.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
అమ్మ చెడ్డ చేటుకు ముసుగు ఒకటా?
amma chedda chetuku musugu okata?
Is this miserable wretched woman to wear a veil?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has already lost their reputation or is in a completely compromised position, and then tries to hide or be modest about minor things. It suggests that when the worst has already happened or been exposed, trivial attempts to maintain dignity or secrecy are hypocritical or pointless.
ఆవాలు ముద్ద చేసినట్లు
avalu mudda chesinatlu
Like trying to make a lump out of mustard seeds
This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task involving bringing together people or things that have a tendency to scatter or remain individualistic. Just as tiny, round mustard seeds roll away and cannot be easily formed into a solid ball, it refers to the difficulty of achieving unity or consensus among a group of disjointed entities.
చేపపిల్లకి ఈత నేర్పాలా?
chepapillaki ita nerpala?
Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.
చక్కనమ్మ చిక్కినా అందమే
chakkanamma chikkina andame
Even if a beautiful woman loses weight, she remains beautiful.
This expression is used to describe things or people of high quality that retain their value or essence even when they face hardship, poverty, or physical decline. Just as a naturally beautiful woman looks graceful even when she becomes thin, a truly valuable person or object doesn't lose its inherent worth due to temporary setbacks.
చేను చేసి చెడలేదు, చెడ్డ చేసి బ్రతకలేదు.
chenu chesi chedaledu, chedda chesi bratakaledu.
One does not perish by farming, and one does not prosper by doing evil.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the importance of ethics. It suggests that hard work in agriculture (or honest work) never leads to ruin, whereas earning through wicked means will never lead to a sustainable or happy life.