దొరలు ఇచ్చిన పాలుకన్నా ధరణి ఇచ్చిన పాలు మేలు.
doralu ichchina palukanna dharani ichchina palu melu.
The share given by the earth is better than that given by the government. Free lands are better when fertile, than shares of grain allotted by government.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the bounty of nature over patronage from the powerful. It suggests that what one earns through honest labor on their own land is superior and more sustainable than gifts or favors received from those in power, which often come with conditions or strings attached.
Related Phrases
ఏనుగును ఇచ్చి అంకుశం దాచినట్లు
enugunu ichchi ankusham dachinatlu
Giving away an elephant but hiding its goad.
This proverb describes a situation where someone performs a major act of generosity or makes a massive investment but gets stingy or hesitant over a trivial, minor detail required to make it functional. It is used when someone completes a huge task but stops short of finishing the small final touch.
అరవై వరహాలు ఇచ్చినా అత్తవంటి బానిస దొరకదు
aravai varahalu ichchina attavanti banisa dorakadu
Although you pay sixty Pagodas, you cannot obtain as good a handmaid as your mother-in-law. Said jokingly of a mother-in-law not allowed to have the manage- ment of the house, but kept in subjection to her daughter-in-law.
This proverb is a sarcastic or satirical take on the traditional household dynamics. It suggests that a mother-in-law works tirelessly for the family's welfare, often doing more labor than a paid servant or slave ever would. It is used to highlight the selfless (or sometimes overbearing) dedication of a mother-in-law to her household.
వచ్చిన పేరు చచ్చినా పోదు
vachchina peru chachchina podu
The reputation gained will not leave even after death
This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.
వినను కనను రెండేసి యిచ్చి, అనను ఒకటే యిచ్చినాడు దేవుడు
vinanu kananu rendesi yichchi, ananu okate yichchinadu devudu
God gave two each to hear and to see, but gave only one to speak.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of listening and observing more than speaking. Since we are physically equipped with two ears and two eyes but only one mouth, it implies that a wise person should be twice as observant and attentive as they are talkative. It is used to advise someone to be thoughtful and cautious with their words.
పితికే బర్రెను ఇచ్చి పొడిచే దున్నను తెచ్చినట్టు.
pitike barrenu ichchi podiche dunnanu techchinattu.
He bartered a milch she buffalo for a goring he buffalo.
This proverb describes a foolish exchange or a bad bargain. It refers to a situation where someone gives away something useful and productive (the milking buffalo) only to replace it with something useless and harmful (the aggressive bull). It is used when a person makes a decision that results in a significant loss of utility and an increase in trouble.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
ఎవరు ఇచ్చినది ఈ మాన్యము అంటే, నేనే ఇచ్చుకున్నాను అన్నాడట.
evaru ichchinadi i manyamu ante, nene ichchukunnanu annadata.
When asked " Who gave you the freehold?" he said " I gave it to myself." Said of one who helps himself without regard to the law of meum and tuum.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks legitimate authority or external validation and instead relies on self-proclamations or self-awarded honors. It mocks those who boast about achievements or titles they have unilaterally claimed without any basis in truth or merit.
కండ్లు చెరిపిన దేవుడు మతి యిచ్చినట్టు
kandlu cheripina devudu mati yichchinattu
The God who destroyed the eyes, gave understanding. When God deprives a man of sight, He increases his intellectual powers.
This expression is used when someone suffers a physical or material loss but gains intelligence, maturity, or common sense in return. It refers to a situation where a disadvantage is compensated by a different, often mental or spiritual, advantage.
చేనూ కొడవలీ నీ చేత ఇచ్చాను.
chenu kodavali ni cheta ichchanu.
I have given the field and the sickle into your hands. To hand anything over entirely to another. To give another full powers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has been given complete authority, resources, and responsibility to complete a task. It implies that the person has everything they need (the field to work on and the tool to work with) and the outcome now depends entirely on their effort and initiative.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.