గొడ్డులేనివాడు బిడ్డలేనివాడు ఒకటి.
goddulenivadu biddalenivadu okati.
A person without cattle and a person without children are the same.
In traditional agrarian societies, cattle were considered as vital as family members for one's livelihood and legacy. This expression highlights the essential role of livestock in prosperity, implying that lacking them is as significant a loss as not having heirs to carry on the family name or support the household.
Related Phrases
కూడు లేనమ్మకు గుడ్డలేనివాడు జతపడ్డట్లు
kudu lenammaku guddalenivadu jatapaddatlu
Like a man without clothes joining a woman who has no food
This expression describes a situation where two people who are already in a miserable or needy state come together, resulting in a partnership that offers no solution to their problems but potentially doubles their misery. It is used when two incompetent or resource-deprived entities join forces thinking it will help, though it only compounds their existing issues.
దిక్కులేనివాడు బడిపంతులైనట్లు
dikkulenivadu badipantulainatlu
Like a helpless man becoming a school teacher.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes up a profession or a task not out of passion, but because they have no other options or means of livelihood. Historically, it reflects a time when teaching was considered a low-paying job of last resort for those with no other support. It is used to mock someone's lack of choice in their current occupation.
కానివాడు లేనివానితో జత.
kanivadu lenivanito jata.
An unfit person pairs with a person who has nothing.
This proverb describes the alliance of two individuals who are both lacking in some way—either in character, resources, or capability. It is used to mock an association where neither party can help the other, or to point out that people with negative traits often find common ground with those who have nothing to lose.
లేనివాడు పుడమి లేనివాడు.
lenivadu pudami lenivadu.
One who has not is as one who is not in the world. i. e. A penniless man has nothing in the world.
This proverb highlights the harsh reality of social status and poverty. It suggests that a person without wealth or resources is often treated as if they have no place or belonging in the world, emphasizing how society values individuals based on their possessions.
గతిలేనివాడికి గంగానమ్మే గతి
gatilenivadiki ganganamme gati
For the one with no recourse, Goddess Gangamma is the only refuge.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has absolutely no other options or alternatives left, forcing them to rely on a single, often final, source of hope or support. It is similar to the English proverb 'Beggars can't be choosers' or 'A drowning man catches at a straw'.
రాగము రానివాడూ, రోగము లేనివాడూ లేడు
ragamu ranivadu, rogamu lenivadu ledu
There is no one who cannot hum a tune, there is no one free from disease.
This expression suggests that everyone has some hidden talent or inclination toward music (or emotion), just as everyone has some physical or mental imperfection. It is used to highlight the commonality of human traits and the inevitability of minor flaws in every individual.
* Veritas non quaerit angulos.
కానివాడు లేనివాడితో జత
kanivadu lenivadito jata
An unfriendly person is equal to one that is not.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people who are equally useless, incapable, or lacking resources join forces. It implies that their partnership will be unproductive because neither has the means or character to succeed or help the other. It is often used to mock an alliance that is destined for failure.
పాడిలేని గొడ్డు, బిడ్డలేని ఆలు
padileni goddu, biddaleni alu
A cow that gives no milk, a wife without a child.
This proverb is used to describe something that does not fulfill its primary purpose or lacks the essential quality that makes it valuable or complete in a traditional context. It highlights the sense of incompleteness or futility in a situation.
గతిలేనివాడు గాడిదకాళ్ళు పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
gatilenivadu gadidakallu pattukonnatlu
Like a helpless man clutching the legs of a donkey.
This expression is used to describe a person who, in a state of absolute desperation or helplessness, seeks assistance from someone completely insignificant, unworthy, or incapable of helping. It highlights the irony and humiliation of being forced to rely on the lowest possible means when one has no other choice.
అడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలు కానీ గడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలా?
addalanadu biddalu kani gaddalanadu biddala?
Children when held in the arms (infancy) are children, but are they still (obedient) children when they grow beards?
This proverb highlights the changing nature of children as they grow up. It suggests that while children are easy to manage and dependent when they are infants (held in a cloth cradle or 'addalu'), they become independent, headstrong, or even ungrateful once they reach adulthood (represented by 'gaddalu' or beards). It is used to express a parent's frustration when adult children no longer listen or follow their guidance.