చిన్న పుల్లయినా పల్లు గీచుకోవడానికి పనికివస్తుంది
chinna pullayina pallu gichukovadaniki panikivastundi
Even a small twig is useful for picking teeth.
This proverb conveys that nothing in the world is useless and every small thing has its own value or purpose. It is used to caution against dismissing someone or something as insignificant based on their size or status.
Related Phrases
పాసిన కూడు పక్వానికి వస్తుందా
pasina kudu pakvaniki vastunda
Will stale food ever become fresh/cooked again?
This proverb is used to convey that something which is spoiled, outdated, or past its prime cannot be restored to its original good state. It suggests that once an opportunity is lost or a person/situation has deteriorated beyond a certain point, no amount of effort can make it useful or 'ripe' again.
రాదన్న పని రాజుపని, వస్తుందన్నపని తొత్తు పని.
radanna pani rajupani, vastundannapani tottu pani.
Work that is said to be impossible is for a king; work that is said to be easy is for a servant.
This expression highlights the difference in attitude towards challenges. It suggests that a person with a noble or 'kingly' mindset takes on difficult, high-stakes tasks that others deem impossible, whereas a servant-like mindset only seeks out easy, routine tasks that require no great effort or risk. It is used to inspire someone to take on challenges or to criticize someone who only wants easy work.
కుమ్మెతక్క పూలుగుచ్చితే కురిమెళ్ళ కామాక్షమ్మ కులికివస్తుంది.
kummetakka puluguchchite kurimella kamakshamma kulikivastundi.
If Kummetakka strings the flowers, Kurimella Kamakshamma comes swaying with joy.
This is a traditional folk saying or riddle-like expression describing the relationship between people or events where one's action (often a small or humble one) brings about a grand or graceful reaction from another. It is often used to describe social dynamics or festive preparations in rural Telugu culture.
తవిటికి వచ్చిన చెయ్యే ధనముకు వస్తుంది
tavitiki vachchina cheyye dhanamuku vastundi
The hand which touches bran, will touch money.
This expression means that a person's habits or character remain the same regardless of the value of the stakes. If someone is habituated to stealing or mishandling small, worthless things (like bran), they will not hesitate to do the same when it comes to valuable items like money or gold. It is often used to warn that small dishonesties lead to larger ones.
He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing.
కాటికి పోయిన పీనుగు కట్టెల పాలు కాక ఇంటికి వస్తుందా?
katiki poyina pinugu kattela palu kaka intiki vastunda?
Will a corpse that has gone to the cremation ground return home instead of being consumed by the logs?
This expression is used to describe an irreversible situation or a total loss. Just as a body taken to the pyre will inevitably be burnt and cannot return, it signifies that once something is gone or a certain point of no return is reached, there is no hope of recovery or reversal.
తవిటికి వచ్చిన చెయ్యే ధనానికి వస్తుంది.
tavitiki vachchina cheyye dhananiki vastundi.
The hand that comes for bran will eventually come for wealth.
This proverb describes how habits formed while handling trivial or low-value items will persist when dealing with valuable things. It is often used to warn that someone who steals small things will eventually steal large amounts, or that discipline in small matters leads to discipline in large ones.
తన కొంగున వున్న రూకా తన కడుపున పుట్టిన బిడ్డా పనికి వస్తవి.
tana konguna vunna ruka tana kadupuna puttina bidda paniki vastavi.
The money tied up in your skirt and the child you have begotten will be of use to you.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of having one's own resources. It suggests that money in your own possession and your own children are the only reliable sources of support during times of need, rather than depending on the wealth or family of others.
వద్దన్న పని వాలాయించి చేస్తారు
vaddanna pani valayinchi chestaru
They deliberately do the work that was forbidden
This expression describes a contrary or rebellious nature where someone specifically chooses to do something exactly because they were told not to. It is often used to describe stubborn children or people who show defiance by performing prohibited actions with extra enthusiasm.
పాత తంగేడు పువ్వు పండుగ నాటికైనా పనికివస్తుంది.
pata tangedu puvvu panduga natikaina panikivastundi.
An old Tangedu flower will be useful at least on the day of the festival.
This proverb highlights that even something old or seemingly useless can find its value during a specific occasion or time of need. It is often used to suggest that one should not discard old items or ignore old resources, as their importance might be realized later.
అందితే జుట్టు, అందకపోతే కాళ్లు
andite juttu, andakapote kallu
If it's within reach, grab the hair; if not, grab the feet.
This proverb describes a person who is highly opportunistic and inconsistent. It refers to someone who acts arrogant or tries to dominate when they have the upper hand (grabbing the hair), but becomes extremely submissive or begs for mercy when they are in a weak position (falling at the feet).