దున్నలా కష్టపడి, దొరలా తినాలి

dunnala kashtapadi, dorala tinali

Translation

Work hard like an ox and eat like a lord.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and self-sufficiency. It suggests that one should exert maximum effort in their labor (like a bullock/ox) so that they can eventually enjoy a luxurious and dignified life (like a lord or master) with the rewards of their toil.

Related Phrases

If the young girl gets thin it's a problem, if she grows too fat it's also a problem.

This proverb is used to describe a delicate or troublesome situation where there is no perfect outcome. No matter which way things turn out, there will be difficulties or complaints. It is often used to refer to people who are never satisfied or situations that are inherently problematic regardless of the change in state.

One must work like a buffalo, and eat like a gentleman.

This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and its rewards. It suggests that one should toil rigorously and tirelessly (like a buffalo in the fields) during their working years or phase so that they can eventually enjoy a life of luxury, comfort, and dignity (like a lord or nobleman).

Even if you suffer a loss, you should not lose your character.

This expression emphasizes that maintaining one's integrity and moral standards is more important than financial or material success. It suggests that while losing money or property is a temporary setback, losing one's reputation or character (becoming 'bhrashtu') is a permanent failure. It is used to encourage ethical behavior even in difficult times.

Thieves' wealth ends up in the hands of rulers.

This proverb implies that wealth acquired through illegal or unethical means will never be enjoyed by the person who took it; instead, it will eventually be confiscated by authorities, lost to others, or spent on fines and legal issues. It is used to suggest that ill-gotten gains do not stay with the wrongdoer.

Work hard and then enjoy the happiness.

This expression emphasizes the importance of hard work as a prerequisite for success or comfort. It is used to advise someone that genuine satisfaction and prosperity come only after putting in dedicated effort and struggle.

Even after working hard like an ox, the fate is only leftover gruel.

This expression describes a situation where despite immense hard work and physical labor, one's rewards or results remain meager and insufficient for a decent living. It is used to highlight poverty, lack of growth, or exploitation in a workplace.

One must work like a slut and eat like a gentleman.

This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the reward of hard work. It suggests that one should work with extreme humility and diligence (like a servant) in order to eventually enjoy a life of luxury and comfort (like a master/lord). It is used to encourage someone to put in hard effort now for a better future.

She said the troubles caused by her mother-in-law were better than these hardships

This expression is used to describe a situation where current new difficulties are so overwhelming that previous hardships, which were once considered unbearable, now seem preferable or mild by comparison. It highlights a 'from the frying pan into the fire' scenario.

They said to work hard and then enjoy the happiness

This expression emphasizes the value of hard work as a prerequisite for success and comfort. It is used to motivate someone to put in effort now so they can reap the rewards and live peacefully later in life. It reflects the philosophy that true happiness is earned through diligence.

Like the funeral pyre of Ravanasura

This expression is used to describe a problem, conflict, or situation that persists for a very long time without reaching a conclusion. According to legend, Ravana's funeral pyre never goes out; similarly, this phrase refers to issues that keep burning or simmering indefinitely.