ఎంతవానికైనా వేపుడు మంగలమైనా ఎరువు కావాలి.

entavanikaina vepudu mangalamaina eruvu kavali.

Translation

No matter how great one is, one needs even a parching pan to be on loan.

Meaning

This proverb highlights human interdependence. It means that no matter how wealthy, powerful, or influential a person is, they will eventually encounter a situation where they need help or a small resource from others. It is used to caution against arrogance and to remind people that everyone needs a community.

Related Phrases

To the mother-in-law's house, one should go either as a son-in-law or as a bull.

This proverb is used sarcastically to describe someone who expects to be pampered and fed without doing any work. In traditional Telugu culture, a son-in-law is treated with extreme hospitality and never asked to work, while a 'Basavanna' (sacred bull) is fed and revered without labor. It is used to mock lazy individuals who overstay their welcome and expect royal treatment.

Whether for a fight, a marriage alliance, or a friendship, there must be equality.

This proverb emphasizes that relationships of any kind—be it conflict, kinship, or friendship—work best between equals. It suggests that individuals or families involved should be of similar status, strength, or character to ensure balance and mutual respect. It is commonly used when discussing suitability in marriages or the fairness of a rivalry.

One should either be a courageous person or a humble person.

This expression suggests that in life, to survive or succeed, one must possess either the strength and courage (Dheerudu) to face challenges head-on or the humility and submissiveness (Deenudu) to seek help and stay protected. It implies that being stuck in the middle with an ego but no strength is a recipe for failure. It is often used to advise someone on the attitude they should adopt depending on their circumstances.

Either a medicine is needed, or a push is needed

This expression refers to a situation where a result can only be achieved through two specific means: either by treating the root cause (medicine) or by applying external pressure/motivation (a push). It is often used when someone is being stubborn or a task is stalled, suggesting that either a logical solution or a forceful nudge is required to get things moving.

Even for a woman who has a thousand, a frying pan is borrowed.

This proverb highlights that no matter how wealthy or self-sufficient a person might be, there will always be situations where they need to depend on others for small things. It emphasizes the necessity of community and social interdependence.

Whether for a marriage alliance or for a fight, one should have an equal.

This proverb emphasizes that relationships, whether friendly (like marriage) or hostile (like a feud), are best conducted between people of equal status, strength, or standing. It suggests that a mismatch in such situations leads to imbalance or unnecessary trouble.

Either a widow's son or a king's son is needed.

This proverb highlights the importance of having influence or survival skills to navigate the world. A king's son has power and resources through his status, while a widow's son is often perceived as someone who has grown up tough, resourceful, and street-smart out of necessity. It implies that to succeed or get things done, one needs either authority or grit.

Whether for friendship or for a fight, there must be equality.

This proverb emphasizes that relationships, whether friendly or adversarial, are best suited between people of equal status, strength, or standing. It suggests that for a bond to be meaningful or a conflict to be fair, the parties involved should be evenly matched.

As much manure at the bottom, so much gold on top.

This proverb highlights that the quality and quantity of a harvest depend on the effort and nutrients provided at the roots. It is used to emphasize that strong foundations and hard work lead to rich rewards.

One must either be the son of a king or the brother of a courtesan.

This proverb refers to the privilege of living a life of leisure and luxury without manual labor. It suggests that such a comfortable lifestyle is typically reserved for those born into royalty (power/wealth) or those who live off the earnings and influence of someone highly sought after (historically referring to the status of a 'Sani' or courtesan's family members who were often pampered). It is used to describe someone who enjoys benefits without working for them.