ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండబడుతుంది, తిండబడితే పండబడుతుంది.
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindabadutundi, tindabadite pandabadutundi.
If the sun gets hot, he will have to stay; if he stays, dinner will have to be cooked for him; if it is cooked, it will have to be eaten; and if he eats it, he will have to lie down.
This is a rhythmic folk saying that describes the essential cycle of agrarian life and food security. It highlights that proper preservation (drying crops) leads to a stable supply (storage), which ensures sustenance (cooking and eating) and ultimately leads to contentment and rest (sleep/prosperity). It is often used to emphasize the importance of the first step in a process to ensure the final result.
The muttered grumblings of a stingy host.
Related Phrases
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi
If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.
మందబలం చూసి కుక్క మొరుగుతుంది.
mandabalam chusi kukka morugutundi.
Seeing the strength of the pack, the dog barks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person acts brave or aggressive only because they have the support of a group or a crowd behind them. It highlights that their courage is not innate, but rather derived from numerical superiority.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండి పడుతుంది, తిండిబడితే పండపడుతుంది
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindi padutundi, tindibadite pandapadutundi
If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.
This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.
కాలితే మచ్చపడుతుంది, కాచితే మెత్తపడుతుంది
kalite machchapadutundi, kachite mettapadutundi
If burnt, it leaves a scar; if heated/tempered, it becomes soft.
This proverb highlights the difference between harshness and patience. It suggests that reacting with extreme anger (burning) causes permanent damage or scars in relationships, whereas treating a situation with controlled, gentle persistence (tempering/heating) makes things pliable and manageable.
అబద్ధమాడితే గోడ కట్టినట్లుండవలె
abaddhamadite goda kattinatlundavale
If one tells a lie, it should be like building a wall.
This expression suggests that if someone chooses to lie, the lie must be so consistent, firm, and well-constructed that it leaves no gaps for doubt, much like a solid wall. It is often used to comment on someone's deceptive skills or to point out that a lie must be convincing to be successful.
అడిగితే సిగ్గు, అడగకపోతే సిద్దె కట్టుపడుతుంది
adigite siggu, adagakapote sidde kattupadutundi
Asking feels shameful, but not asking results in a heavy burden (or an empty stomach).
This proverb describes a dilemma where one feels embarrassed to ask for help or their due, but staying silent leads to hardship or suffering. It is used to encourage someone to overcome their hesitation and speak up for what they need.
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది.
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi.
If you leave it alone, it will bear fruit; if you pull it up, it will wither away.
This proverb highlights the importance of patience and allowing things to take their natural course. It is often used to advise someone not to rush a process or interfere prematurely, as doing so might spoil the end result, just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen but will dry up if picked too early.
వన్నెలమ్మను వండబెట్టిన ఇంటిరాజులను పండబెట్టిందట.
vannelammanu vandabettina intirajulanu pandabettindata.
The woman who was asked to cook ended up laying the household men to rest.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was brought in to help or perform a simple task ends up causing complete destruction or ruin. It highlights the irony of a person’s incompetence or malicious nature resulting in a disaster far worse than the original problem they were meant to solve.
పండాకు రాలుతుంటే, పసరాకు నవ్వుతుందట
pandaku ralutunte, pasaraku navvutundata
When the yellow leaf is falling, the green leaf laughs.
This proverb is used to describe the irony or foolishness of young people mocking the elderly. Just as a green leaf (the youth) will eventually turn yellow and fall like the old leaf, everyone is subject to the passage of time and aging. It serves as a reminder that the fate of the old today will be the fate of the young tomorrow.
మల నల్లబడితే వాన, చన్ను నల్లబడితే బిడ్డ
mala nallabadite vana, channu nallabadite bidda
If the mountain turns black, it rains; if the nipple turns black, a child is coming.
This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) used to describe natural signs of inevitable events. It compares the darkening of clouds over mountains (signaling rain) to the physiological changes in a woman's breast during pregnancy (signaling a baby). It highlights the predictability of nature and life through observation.