గాదె నిండా బియ్యము ఉంటే, కరువు కాలాన నా భార్యనూ పిల్లలనూ నేనే రక్షిస్తానన్నాడట.
gade ninda biyyamu unte, karuvu kalana na bharyanu pillalanu nene rakshistanannadata.
He said that he himself would support his wife and family in dearth and in plenty, so long as the bin was full of corn.
This proverb mockingly refers to people who display false bravery or self-reliance only when they are already in a secure position. It highlights that anyone can boast about taking care of responsibilities when resources are abundant, but true character or capability is only tested in times of real scarcity.
Related Phrases
బుద్ధి భూములేలాలంటే, కర్మ గాడిదలను కాస్తానంటుంది
buddhi bhumulelalante, karma gadidalanu kastanantundi
While the intellect wants to rule lands, destiny insists on herding donkeys.
This proverb describes the conflict between a person's ambitions and their actual circumstances or fate. It is used when someone has high aspirations or great intelligence, but due to bad luck or unfavorable situations, they end up doing menial or low-level jobs.
ఈ పొడుము పీల్చనీవే, నీ పాడె బిగిస్తానన్నాడట.
i podumu pilchanive, ni pade bigistanannadata.
Let me inhale this snuff first, then I will tie your funeral bier, he said.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely selfish, cold-hearted, or indifferent to others' suffering. It depicts a person who prioritizes a trivial personal habit or minor comfort even while performing a somber task like preparing for a funeral. It highlights a lack of empathy or a cynical attitude towards serious situations.
బలవంతాన పిల్లను ఇస్తానంటే, కులమేమి గోత్రమేమి అని అడిగినాడట
balavantana pillanu istanante, kulamemi gotramemi ani adiginadata
When one offered his daughter unasked to another, he was answered " What is your caste and what is your Gotra ?" When a man goes out of his way to make an unusual offer, his inten- tions are apt to be suspected.
This proverb is used to describe a person who shows unnecessary arrogance or makes fussy demands when someone is desperately trying to help them or do them a favor. It highlights the irony of a person who is in no position to negotiate but still tries to act superior or picky.
కుక్క తోక వంకర, ఎంతటికీ గుణము మానను అన్నదట.
kukka toka vankara, entatiki gunamu mananu annadata.
A dog's tail is crooked; it said it won't change its nature.
This expression is used to describe a person who refuses to change their inherent bad habits or character, regardless of how much advice they receive or how much effort is made to reform them. It is similar to the English proverb 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
మెట్టన మాత, పల్లాన భార్య
mettana mata, pallana bharya
The mother on the edge of the precipice and the wife on the brink of the pool. The two having quarrelled each threatens to destroy herself unless the man takes her part. A difficult dilemma.
This proverb reflects the traditional agricultural wisdom regarding land management. It suggests that upland (metta) should be treated with the care and reverence given to a mother (requiring less constant attention but deep respect), while lowland (palla) should be attended to with the intimacy and constant care given to a wife (requiring frequent monitoring and labor for a good yield).
నన్ను నేనే ఎరుగను, నిన్ను నేనేమి ఎరుగుదును?
nannu nene eruganu, ninnu nenemi erugudunu?
He said "I don't know myself, how can I know you?" Said of a supercilious fellow.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-awareness or basic competence, making them incapable of understanding or helping others. It is often used in a philosophical context regarding self-realization or sarcastically when someone who can't handle their own problems tries to offer advice to others.
జాబు వ్రాసి పెట్టమంటే, కాళ్ళు నొప్పలంటే, వాటితో పనేమంటే, నేను రాసింది నేనే చదవాలన్నాడట..
jabu vrasi pettamante, kallu noppalante, vatito panemante, nenu rasindi nene chadavalannadata..
When asked to write a letter, he said his legs were aching; when asked what legs have to do with it, he said he would have to be the one to go and read what he wrote.
This is a humorous proverb used to describe a person who makes absurd or circular excuses to avoid doing work. It highlights a lazy individual who complicates a simple task with illogical reasoning just to escape responsibility.
గాదె నిండా బియ్యముంటే, కరువు కాలాన నా భార్యను పిల్లలను నేనే రక్షిస్తాను అన్నాడట
gade ninda biyyamunte, karuvu kalana na bharyanu pillalanu nene rakshistanu annadata
When the granary is full of rice, he said he would protect his wife and children himself during the famine.
This proverb mocks people who make hollow boasts or display overconfidence only when they are in a comfortable and secure position. It highlights that it is easy to promise protection or bravery when resources are abundant, but true character and capability are only tested when those resources are gone.
పాపం ఉంటే భయం, పల్లం ఉంటే నీళ్లు
papam unte bhayam, pallam unte nillu
Where there is sin there will be fear, where there is low ground there will be water.
This proverb highlights natural consequences. Just as water naturally flows and settles in low-lying areas (slopes), guilt or fear naturally follows a person who has committed a wrong act. It is used to describe how a guilty conscience is always fearful of being caught or punished.
కరువున కడుపు కాల్చినమ్మను యెన్నటికీ మరవను.
karuvuna kadupu kalchinammanu yennatiki maravanu.
I shall never forget the lady who burnt my stomach [i. e. who fed me insufficiently ] in the famine time.
This proverb is used to express deep gratitude towards someone who helped you during your most difficult or desperate times. It emphasizes that acts of kindness received during a crisis are unforgettable.