గూనిదున్నకంటె, గుడ్డిదున్నమేలు
gunidunnakante, guddidunnamelu
A blind buffalo is better than a hunchbacked buffalo.
This proverb highlights that certain flaws are worse than others in terms of utility. A hunchbacked buffalo is often physically unable to pull a plow effectively, whereas a blind buffalo, if guided, can still perform work. It is used to suggest that a defect that prevents performance entirely is worse than a defect that only complicates it.
Related Phrases
కన్ను గుడ్డిదైతే కడుపు గుడ్డిదా?
kannu guddidaite kadupu guddida?
If the eye is blind, is the stomach blind too?
This proverb is used to point out that even if one cannot see (either literally or metaphorically through lack of knowledge/resources), their basic needs and appetites remain the same. It is often used in contexts where someone suggests that a person who is disadvantaged should forgo basic necessities like food.
ప్రేమ గుడ్డిది
prema guddidi
Love is blind
This expression is used to describe how someone in love often overlooks or fails to see the faults, flaws, or negative traits of the person they love. It suggests that emotion can cloud one's rational judgment.
దున్నక చల్లితే, కొయ్యక పండినది.
dunnaka challite, koyyaka pandinadi.
When the field was sown without being ploughed it yielded without being reaped. i. e. it yielded nothing. If you neglect the use of the right means you must expect poor results.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone expects results without putting in the necessary hard work, or a situation that results in total failure/nothingness because the fundamental steps were skipped. It highlights that if you don't do the groundwork (plowing), you won't get a real harvest (cutting the crop).
మడిదున్ని మహారాజయినవాడు, చేను దున్ని చెడ్డవాడూ లేడు.
madidunni maharajayinavadu, chenu dunni cheddavadu ledu.
There is no one who became a king by tilling a small plot, and no one who was ruined by tilling a field.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of hard work, specifically in agriculture. It suggests that while farming may not make one instant royalty, honest labor in the fields will never lead to one's downfall or absolute ruin. It encourages persistence and the belief that self-employment through land will always provide a livelihood.
లేని బావకంటే గుడ్డి బావ అయినా మేలు.
leni bavakante guddi bava ayina melu.
A blind brother-in-law is better than none at all.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or flawed is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Something is better than nothing'.
Better a bare foot than no foot at all. Better a blind horse than an empty halter. (Dutch.)*
కోటి విద్యలకంటే కూటి కొరకు పొలం దున్నడం మేలు
koti vidyalakante kuti koraku polam dunnadam melu
Ploughing a field for food is better than knowing ten million other skills.
This proverb emphasizes the supreme importance of agriculture and food security over any other professional skill or academic knowledge. It suggests that while there are countless ways to earn a living or gain knowledge, the profession that provides basic sustenance (farming) is the most noble and essential for survival.
గుడ్డిదానితో పోతే, గుడిసె దాకా సాగనంపాలి
guddidanito pote, gudise daka saganampali
If you go with a blind woman, you must escort her all the way to her hut.
This proverb implies that when you take on a responsibility or commit to helping someone, you must see it through to the very end. Half-hearted efforts are useless; one should be prepared to complete the entire task once started.
బుధవారం పుట్టిన దున్నపోతు భూమిని దున్నినా, తొక్కినా పొంగి పొంగి పండుతుంది
budhavaram puttina dunnapotu bhumini dunnina, tokkina pongi pongi pandutundi
A buffalo born on a Wednesday, whether it plows the land or just tramples it, the land will overflow with harvest.
This is a traditional folk saying used to highlight the auspiciousness associated with Wednesday (Budhavaram). It suggests that anything started or involved with something 'born on Wednesday' is destined for great success and abundance, regardless of how much effort is put in.
గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు.
guddi kanna mella melu.
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or partial is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Half a loaf is better than no bread' or 'Something is better than nothing.'
Of two evils choose the least.
వండే అమ్మ కన్నా, వడ్డించే అమ్మ మేలు
vande amma kanna, vaddinche amma melu
The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.
This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.