గొడ్డుకు ఎక్కువ డబ్బు, గుడ్డకు తక్కువ డబ్బు పెట్టాలి
godduku ekkuva dabbu, guddaku takkuva dabbu pettali
Spend more money on cattle and less money on clothes.
This traditional saying emphasizes productivity over vanity. It suggests that one should invest more in assets that provide a livelihood or income (like livestock in an agrarian society) and spend minimally on non-productive luxuries like expensive clothing. It is used to advise someone to prioritize essential investments over outward appearances.
Related Phrases
దబ్బులేనివాడు డబ్బుకు కొరగాడు
dabbulenivadu dabbuku koragadu
A person without courage is of no use even with money.
This proverb highlights that courage and self-confidence are more valuable than material wealth. It is used to describe a situation where a person, despite having financial resources, cannot achieve anything or defend themselves because they lack the necessary boldness or character.
తలగుడ్డకు తక్కువ గోచిపాతకు ఎక్కువ
talaguddaku takkuva gochipataku ekkuva
Too small for a head-cloth and too large for a loincloth.
This expression is used to describe something that is of an awkward size or quality—too little for a significant purpose but too much for a trivial one. It refers to a person or thing that is caught in the middle, being neither here nor there, and therefore practically useless or difficult to categorize.
తెలివితక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivitakkuva, akali ekkuva
Low intelligence, high hunger
This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.
శత కోటి దరిద్రాలకు అనంతకోటి ఉపాయాలు
shata koti daridralaku anantakoti upayalu
[One who can tell] a hundred lies, [one who can tell] a thousand lies. Ten times as bad.
This proverb is used to convey that no matter how many difficulties or challenges (poverty/troubles) one faces, there are always ways to overcome them. It emphasizes human ingenuity and the availability of endless solutions to any number of problems. It is often used to encourage creative problem-solving in desperate situations.
వట్టిగొడ్డుకు అరుపులెక్కువ, వానలేని మబ్బుకు ఉరుములెక్కువ.
vattigodduku arupulekkuva, vanaleni mabbuku urumulekkuva.
A barren cow bellows more, and a cloud without rain thunders more.
This proverb is used to describe people who talk excessively or boast loudly but have little to no actual substance, skill, or productivity. Just as a cow that doesn't give milk might make the most noise, or a cloud that doesn't produce rain thunders the loudest, people who do the least work often make the most fuss.
జరుగుబాటు తక్కువ, అదిరిపాటు ఎక్కువ.
jarugubatu takkuva, adiripatu ekkuva.
Low livelihood, high arrogance.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the financial means or capability to sustain themselves properly, yet behaves with excessive pride, arrogance, or puts on a grand show of attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having a poor lifestyle but a high level of pretension.
జరుగుబాటు తక్కువ, అదరిపాటు ఎక్కువ.
jarugubatu takkuva, adaripatu ekkuva.
Low income, high showiness (or irritability).
This proverb is used to describe a person who has very limited financial means or resources but behaves with excessive pride, a quick temper, or an arrogant attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having little to sustain themselves while maintaining a high-handed or easily offended demeanor.
ధర తక్కువ బంగారానికి దాటి ఎక్కువ
dhara takkuva bangaraniki dati ekkuva
Low-priced gold has more impurities.
This proverb is used to indicate that when something is sold at an unusually low price, it is often of poor quality or has many defects. It is a cautionary saying used to remind people that 'you get what you pay for' and that cheap goods often come with hidden costs or flaws.
పని తక్కువ, ప్రాకులాట ఎక్కువ
pani takkuva, prakulata ekkuva
Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)
This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.
కూటికి తక్కువైనా కులానికి తక్కువా?
kutiki takkuvaina kulaniki takkuva?
Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?
This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.