ఏడు కరువులు వస్తున్నాయిరా అంటే, తొలికరవులోనే పోతే, మిగత ఆరు ఏం చేస్తాయి అన్నాడట.
edu karuvulu vastunnayira ante, tolikaravulone pote, migata aru em chestayi annadata.
When told that seven famines are coming, he asked, 'If I die in the very first one, what will the other six do?'
This proverb is used to mock someone who displays extreme laziness, a lack of foresight, or a fatalistic attitude. Instead of preparing for a long-term challenge, the person dismisses the concern with a cynical or foolish remark, suggesting that if they don't survive the initial difficulty, the subsequent ones don't matter anyway. It highlights a lack of responsibility or an 'ignorance is bliss' mindset.
Related Phrases
అరువు అంటే, ఆరు ఏనుగులు కట్టివేయమన్నట్లు.
aruvu ante, aru enugulu kattiveyamannatlu.
If it is on credit, it is like asking to tie up six elephants.
This proverb highlights how people tend to be reckless or extravagant when they don't have to pay immediately. It describes a situation where someone makes unreasonable demands or over-consumes simply because the goods or services are provided on credit (aruvu).
తిన్న ఇంటి వాసాలు లెక్కపెట్టడం
tinna inti vasalu lekkapettadam
When a man was asked why he was counting the rafters of the house in which he had been well treated, he replied, " Would they allow me to do it in the next house ?"
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or backstabbing. It refers to a person who, after receiving help or hospitality from someone, looks for ways to harm them or takes advantage of their host's kindness. In the full version of the proverb, when asked why he is being so ungrateful, the person foolishly justifies his malice by saying he would do the same elsewhere.
Gross ingratitude. I taught you to swim, and now you'd drown me.
కార్తెలు మోసం చేస్తే కరువులు వస్తాయి.
kartelu mosam cheste karuvulu vastayi.
If the seasons (Kartelu) deceive, famines will follow.
This traditional Telugu proverb emphasizes the dependency of agriculture on the 'Kartelu' (astrological seasonal periods that dictate rainfall). It means that if the rains do not arrive during their designated seasonal periods, it leads to crop failure and eventually famine. It is used to highlight the importance of timely natural cycles for survival.
గురువులు వస్తున్నారంటే, గోచులిప్పి తోరణాలు కట్టమన్నారట
guruvulu vastunnarante, gochulippi toranalu kattamannarata
When told the teachers were coming, they were asked to untie their loincloths to make decorative buntings.
This proverb describes a situation where someone acts with excessive or foolish enthusiasm to please someone in authority, even at the cost of their own dignity or basic needs. It is used to mock people who provide overboard, illogical, or self-destructive hospitality/service just to show off their devotion.
పనిలేని పాపరాజు ఏం చేస్తున్నాడంటే, కుందేటికొమ్ముకు రేకలు తీస్తున్నాడు అన్నట్లు.
panileni paparaju em chestunnadante, kundetikommuku rekalu tistunnadu annatlu.
When asked what idle Paparaju is doing, he is carving designs on a rabbit's horn.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, having no useful work to do, engages in completely futile, impossible, or nonsensical tasks. Since rabbits do not have horns, 'carving designs on a rabbit's horn' signifies wasting time on something that doesn't exist or doesn't matter.
ఆవు పొదుగులోనే అరవై ఆరు పిండివంటలున్నాయి.
avu podugulone aravai aru pindivantalunnayi.
There are sixty-six varieties of delicacies right inside the cow's udder.
This proverb highlights the immense value and versatility of milk provided by a cow. It implies that from a single source (milk), one can create a vast multitude of foods, sweets, and nutrients, emphasizing the cow's sacred and provider status in Indian culture.
ఉన్నమాట అంటే ఉలిక్కిపడి వస్తుంది
unnamata ante ulikkipadi vastundi
A man starts with anger when the truth is told of him. It is truth that makes a man angry. (Italian.)
This expression is used when someone reacts defensively, angrily, or becomes startled because a bitter truth about them has been revealed. It is similar to the English proverb 'The truth hurts' or 'If the shoe fits, wear it.'
పడినాయి అన్నదట.
padinayi annadata.
She said 'they have fallen'.
This phrase is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their failure or misfortune by acting as if it was their original intention or a deliberate choice. It originates from a story where a person falls down and, to avoid embarrassment, claims they intended to lie down.
ఉపాధ్యాయుల వారు ఏం చేస్తున్నారు అంటే రాసిన తప్పులు దిద్దుకుంటున్నారట
upadhyayula varu em chestunnaru ante rasina tappulu diddukuntunnarata
When asked what the teacher is doing, they said he is correcting the mistakes he wrote himself.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is supposed to be an expert or a guide makes basic mistakes and spends their time fixing their own errors instead of helping others. It satirizes incompetence in positions of authority or expertise.
కరువులో అరువు
karuvulo aruvu
Borrowing during a famine
This expression describes a situation where one is forced to seek a loan or credit during a time of extreme scarcity or crisis. It signifies an act of desperation or a burden upon an already struggling person, as borrowing during a famine is difficult to repay and even harder to obtain.