ఏట్లో పారే నీళ్లు ఎవరు తాగితే ఏమి?
etlo pare nillu evaru tagite emi?
What matters it who drinks the water flowing in the river?
This proverb is used to describe resources that are abundant, public, or inexhaustible. It implies that when something is available in plenty for everyone, one shouldn't be stingy, jealous, or concerned about who else is utilizing it. It is often cited to suggest that communal or natural wealth belongs to all.
A right common to all.
Related Phrases
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ ఎవరూ చూడడం లేదని అనుకున్నట్లు.
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu evaru chudadam ledani anukunnatlu.
Like a cat shutting her eyes, and fancying that no one could see her drinking the milk. A man fancying that he is unseen when committing some crime. The forest has ears, the field has eyes. (German.)
This proverb refers to people who commit wrongdoings or deceptive acts thinking they are being clever or secretive, while in reality, their actions are obvious to everyone else. It is used to mock self-deception and the foolish belief that one can hide the truth by simply ignoring it.
ఈ ఊళ్లో పెద్దలు ఎవరంటే తాళ్లు, దాతలు ఎవరంటే చాకళ్లు.
i ullo peddalu evarante tallu, datalu evarante chakallu.
When asked who were the great ( men ) in the village, he said "The Palmyraras;" when asked who were the givers ( of presents ), he replied "The washermen." A joke. The Palmyraras are the tallest trees, and the washermen give people back their clothes. ఉ.
This proverb is used to describe a place where there are no truly respectable or generous people. Palm trees are 'tall' but provide no shade or wisdom like an elder, and washermen give back clothes that already belong to others, mimicking 'donation' without actual sacrifice. It highlights a lack of genuine leadership or charity in a community.
ముంతెడు నీళ్లకే జడిస్తే, బానెడు నీళ్లు ఎవరు పోసుకొంటారు?
muntedu nillake jadiste, banedu nillu evaru posukontaru?
If you take fright at a cupful of water, who will bathe with a boilful?
This proverb is used to mock someone who is hesitant or fearful of a small, minor challenge. It suggests that if a person cannot handle a trivial difficulty, they will never be able to manage much larger responsibilities or hardships.
అందరూ అందలం ఎక్కితే, మోసేవారు ఎవరు?
andaru andalam ekkite, mosevaru evaru?
If all get into the palankin, who will be the bearers ? You a lady, I a lady, who is to drive out the sow? (Ollician.)
This proverb highlights the necessity of a social hierarchy and division of labor. It implies that if everyone wants to be the leader or hold a position of comfort and authority, no one will be left to do the actual work. It is used when everyone in a group expects to be served or wants a high-status role without contributing effort.
నమ్మి నడివీథిలో వేసినవారు ఎవరు?
nammi nadivithilo vesinavaru evaru?
Who throws [ his property ] into the middle of the street and trusts it there?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has been betrayed or abandoned by the very person they placed their full trust in. It highlights the vulnerability of trusting someone blindly and the devastating consequence of being left helpless (in the middle of the street) when that trust is broken.
ఏట్లో పారే నీళ్ళు ఎవరు తాగితేనేం
etlo pare nillu evaru tagitenem
What does it matter who drinks the water flowing in the river?
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an abundant or public resource available, and one shouldn't be stingy or possessive about it. It implies that when something is plenty and free-flowing (like river water), it doesn't cost the provider anything if someone else uses or benefits from it.
తేలుకు ఎవరు అపకారం చేశారు?
teluku evaru apakaram chesharu?
Who did evil to the scorpion ? Thoroughly bad by nature injuring others without provocation.
This rhetorical question is used to describe someone who is inherently malicious or harmful by nature, regardless of how they are treated. Just as a scorpion stings without provocation or reason, some people cause trouble or hurt others simply because it is in their character, not because they were wronged.
చెప్పినంత చేసేవారు శివునికన్నా వేరే ఎవరూ లేరు.
cheppinanta chesevaru shivunikanna vere evaru leru.
Besides Siva, there is no other who is as good as his word.
This proverb highlights the rarity of people who fulfill their promises completely. It implies that while many people make tall claims or give advice, only a divine or exceptionally principled person like Lord Shiva follows through on their word exactly as stated. It is used to describe absolute reliability and integrity.
నిత్యం చచ్చేవారికి ఏడ్చేవారెవరు?
nityam chachchevariki edchevarevaru?
Who are the mourners over people that die every day ? Those who always say their death is near. Said of a man continually requiring to be corrected in his work.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person constantly creates or faces the same trouble. When someone is perpetually in a state of self-inflicted misery or repetitive drama, others eventually lose sympathy and stop caring or helping. It highlights the exhaustion of empathy toward those who do not learn from their mistakes or who constantly complain about recurring issues.
తేలుకు ఎవరు అపకారము చేసినారు?
teluku evaru apakaramu chesinaru?
Who has done any harm to the scorpion?
This expression is used to highlight the innate nature of some people or creatures to cause harm even without provocation. Just as a scorpion stings naturally without being provoked, some individuals exhibit malicious behavior regardless of how others treat them. It serves as a rhetorical question to suggest that bad behavior is often a result of one's character rather than a reaction to external injury.