ఎరువు సతముకాదు, వాగు జోడూకాదు.
eruvu satamukadu, vagu jodukadu.
Manure is not permanent, and a stream is not a companion.
This proverb highlights the temporary nature of certain aids. Just as manure only enriches the soil for a short time and a seasonal stream cannot be relied upon as a permanent water source or a steady path, one should not depend on external or temporary help for long-term stability.
Related Phrases
వాపు బలుపు కాదు, వాత అందము కాదు
vapu balupu kadu, vata andamu kadu
Swelling is not strength, and a branding scar is not beauty.
This proverb warns against mistaking unhealthy or artificial growth for true progress or strength. Just as swelling (edema) might make a limb look larger but actually indicates illness rather than muscle, superficial or temporary gains should not be confused with genuine success or health. It is used to caution people who are proud of hollow achievements.
ఎరువు స్థిరం కాదు, బరువు తేలిక కాదు
eruvu sthiram kadu, baruvu telika kadu
Borrowing is not permanent, and a burden does not become light.
This proverb highlights the temporary nature of borrowed items or money (eruvu) and the reality that debt or responsibility (baruvu) remains heavy regardless of how one tries to ignore it. It is used to advise against relying on borrowed resources and to encourage self-sufficiency.
ఎరువు సతము కాదు, వాక్కు తోడు కాదు.
eruvu satamu kadu, vakku todu kadu.
Lent property is not lasting, speech is not help. You cannot always depend upon getting a livelihood by your plani- bility.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the transient nature of external aid. Just as manure only provides a temporary boost to the soil's fertility and eventually depletes, words or promises from others are not a reliable substitute for one's own actions or tangible support. It suggests that one should build their own strengths rather than depending on borrowed resources or empty talk.
నొచ్చి నొసట పలుకదు, వచ్చినవాని విడువదు
nochchi nosata palukadu, vachchinavani viduvadu
It won't say it on the forehead painfully, but it won't let go of the person who arrived.
This proverb describes someone who lacks the courage to speak their mind directly or reject someone to their face, yet holds onto a grudge or continues to trouble the person in an indirect, lingering way. It is often used to describe passive-aggressive behavior or people who act politely while harboring ill intentions.
ఇరుగు కాదు, పొరుగు కాదు, పెరుగు పోసిన గురిగె కాదు
irugu kadu, porugu kadu, perugu posina gurige kadu
It is not a neighbor, it is not a surrounding person, and it is not a pot filled with curd.
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or a rhythmic expression used to describe something that seems familiar or close but is actually distinct. It is often used to refer to a mirror or a reflection, where the image looks like someone you know (a neighbor) or is contained in a vessel, but isn't actually that person or object.
కులము కాదు, స్థలము కాదు, కుమ్మరి వారి పిల్ల కోరి దయ్యమై పట్టింది
kulamu kadu, sthalamu kadu, kummari vari pilla kori dayyamai pattindi
It's not about caste, it's not about place; the potter's girl became a ghost by choice and possessed [him/her].
This expression is used when someone gets into a self-inflicted trouble or develops an obsession regardless of logic, background, or suitability. It highlights situations where problems arise not because of external circumstances, but because of a person's own stubborn desires or poor choices.
ఎద్దు ఎక్కిన తీరుకాదు, సద్ది తిన్న నోరుకాదు.
eddu ekkina tirukadu, saddi tinna norukadu.
Neither like a person who has mounted an ox, nor like a mouth that has eaten curd rice.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks discipline, grace, or consistency in their actions. It refers to a person whose behavior is neither dignified (like a proper rider) nor satisfied/content (like someone who has had a good meal), indicating a state of being unrefined or chaotic.
ఒక కొడుకు కొడుకు కాదు, ఒక చెట్టు తోపు కాదు
oka koduku koduku kadu, oka chettu topu kadu
One son is not a son, and one tree is not a grove.
This proverb emphasizes that relying on a single resource or individual is risky. Just as a single tree cannot provide the shade or abundance of an entire forest/grove, having only one child (in a traditional context) or one plan was seen as precarious because if that one fails, there is no backup or support system.
అరువు సత్రం కాదు, పందిరి ఇల్లు కాదు.
aruvu satram kadu, pandiri illu kadu.
A loan is not an almshouse, a canopy is not a house.
This proverb emphasizes that borrowed items or temporary arrangements are not permanent solutions. Just as a guest house (satram) offers free shelter while a loan must be repaid, and a temporary shed (pandiri) cannot provide the security of a permanent home, one should not rely on borrowed things as if they are their own property.
ఉంచుకున్నవాడు మగడు కాడు, పెంచుకున్నవాడు కొడుకు కాడు
unchukunnavadu magadu kadu, penchukunnavadu koduku kadu
The man one keeps is not a husband, the child one raises is not a son.
This proverb reflects traditional social views on legitimacy and formal bonds. It suggests that informal relationships or foster care do not equate to the legal and social status of a marriage or biological lineage. It is often used to emphasize that titles or roles earned through convenience or temporary arrangements lack the permanence and sanctity of formal, recognized institutions.