ఎద్దు ఉన్నవాడి వ్యవసాయం చూడు, మంది ఉన్నవాడి మారుబలం చూడు

eddu unnavadi vyavasayam chudu, mandi unnavadi marubalam chudu

Translation

Look at the farming of the one who has oxen, look at the strength of the one who has people.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that success depends on having the right resources. Just as a farmer needs oxen to cultivate effectively, a person's power or influence is determined by the number of people supporting them. It is used to highlight that individual capability is amplified by the strength of one's assets or community.

Related Phrases

He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)

This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.

Try building a house, try making a marriage. An expense greater than contemplated. Building and the marrying of children are great wasters.

This proverb highlights that building a home and organizing a marriage are the two most challenging and resource-intensive tasks in a person's life. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, financial strain, and unforeseen difficulties involved once they actually undertake these responsibilities.

The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].

This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.

The one who has an ox lacks intelligence, and the one who has intelligence lacks an ox.

This proverb describes a situational irony where one person possesses the physical resources or tools but lacks the wisdom to use them, while another person has the knowledge but lacks the necessary resources. It is used to highlight the mismatch between ability and opportunity.

The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.

This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.

If you can cry, there is as much farming as there is crying.

This proverb highlights that agriculture is an extremely demanding and difficult profession. It suggests that if one is willing to endure the hardship and toil (metaphorically represented by 'crying'), there is endless work to be done. It is used to describe the relentless nature of farming and the physical or emotional toll it takes on a person.

Agriculture belongs to the one who has paddy and cattle.

This proverb emphasizes that farming is only sustainable and profitable for those who possess the necessary resources, specifically grain (seed/wealth) and livestock (labor/manure). It is used to suggest that success in any venture requires having the essential fundamental assets.

He that ate prospered, and he that prospered became a Ma- hârâja.

This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.

For Kolleru farming, even the harvest labor wages are a waste.

This proverb refers to a situation where an investment or effort is doomed from the start because the yield will not even cover basic operational costs. It is used when a venture is so unprofitable that even performing the final steps (like harvesting) results in a net loss.

The one who has gives to the one who has; even the one who does not have gives to the one who has.

This proverb highlights a social irony where wealth continues to flow toward the wealthy. It describes a situation where both the rich and the poor tend to favor, gift, or serve those who are already influential and affluent, while those in actual need are often ignored.