ఎద్దుగా ఏడాది బ్రతికేకంటే, ఆబోతుగా ఆరునెలలే చాలు

edduga edadi bratikekante, abotuga arunelale chalu

Translation

Better to live for six months as a breeding bull than to live for a year as a working ox.

Meaning

Quality of life is more important than quantity. It is better to live a short, meaningful, and independent life with dignity and freedom rather than a long, monotonous life of servitude and hard labor.

Related Phrases

Why pay rent for one's own ox?

This proverb is used to describe situations where one shouldn't have to pay or seek permission for using their own resources, or when someone expects payment for helping their own family or close ones. It emphasizes that it is unnecessary or absurd to charge for services within a household or for things one already owns.

Instead of living for ten years as a pig, it is enough to live for four years as a Nandi (sacred bull).

Quality of life is more important than quantity. It is better to live a short, dignified, and honorable life than to live a long life in disgrace or without any purpose.

Plantain is a six-month illness

This is a traditional folk saying in Telugu culture regarding health and diet. It suggests that consuming raw plantain (specifically when improperly prepared or eaten by those with weak digestion) can lead to lingering health issues or chronic indigestion that lasts for a long time. It is used as a cautionary advice to be mindful of one's diet and the long-term effects of eating certain foods.

Instead of living for ages as a crow, it is enough to live for six months as a swan.

This proverb emphasizes quality of life over quantity. It suggests that a short, meaningful, and noble life (symbolized by the swan) is far superior to a long, mundane, or insignificant life (symbolized by the crow). It is used to inspire people to live with dignity and purpose rather than just existing for a long time.

A single day's opportunity, a year's livelihood.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and seizing the right moment. It suggests that acting at the right time (especially in agriculture or business) can provide sustenance and stability for a long period. It is used to highlight that missing a crucial opportunity might lead to a year of hardship.

One day's pleasure, six months of illness.

This expression serves as a warning against temporary or momentary pleasures that lead to long-term suffering or consequences. It is often used to advise people to think about the future repercussions of their current actions, especially regarding health or reckless behavior.

When a person is about to die in six months, their true character changes.

This expression is used to describe a sudden, drastic, or uncharacteristic change in a person's behavior, especially when someone who was previously difficult or stubborn suddenly becomes kind or compliant. It implies that such a significant shift in personality is often an omen of an approaching end or a major life transition.

When he says, "here you are," it means six months.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely procrastinating or slow to act. It implies that even when someone claims a task is almost done or right there, it will actually take a very long time (six months) to complete.

One "Take it" is better than two "You shall have it." (French.)

A person who is going to die in six months cannot see the Arundhati star.

This proverb is used to describe a person whose judgment or perception is clouded when they are facing an impending downfall or crisis. In Indian tradition, the inability to see the Arundhati star was historically believed to be a bad omen regarding one's lifespan. Metaphorically, it refers to someone who is unable to see reason, truth, or obvious signs of danger because their time or luck has run out.

One day's pleasure is six months' hardship.

This proverb is used to warn someone against momentary indulgence or short-term gratification that leads to long-term suffering, debt, or negative consequences. It emphasizes the importance of foresight and self-control.