ఇష్టమైతే ఈపరాలు, కష్టమైతే కంపరాలు
ishtamaite iparalu, kashtamaite kamparalu
If liked, they are flower garlands; if disliked, they are thorny bushes.
This proverb describes a fickle mindset where a person's perception of someone or something changes based on their current mood or interest. When they like a person, everything about them seems wonderful and soft like flowers (eeparalu), but once the interest fades or a conflict arises, the same person or thing seems irritating and painful like thorns (kamparalu). It is used to mock hypocritical or inconsistent behavior in relationships.
Related Phrases
బుడ్డది చిక్కినా కష్టమే, బలిసినా కష్టమే
buddadi chikkina kashtame, balisina kashtame
If the young girl gets thin it's a problem, if she grows too fat it's also a problem.
This proverb is used to describe a delicate or troublesome situation where there is no perfect outcome. No matter which way things turn out, there will be difficulties or complaints. It is often used to refer to people who are never satisfied or situations that are inherently problematic regardless of the change in state.
పోతురాజు ఇష్టమా? పొట్టేలు ఇష్టమా?
poturaju ishtama? pottelu ishtama?
Do you like Pothuraju or do you like the ram?
This expression is used when someone is presented with two options that lead to the same result, or when someone is trying to act like they are giving a choice when they actually are not. In village rituals, Pothuraju is the deity to whom a ram (pottelu) is sacrificed. Whether one chooses the deity or the sacrifice, the ram's fate remains the same. It is used to describe a 'no-win' situation or a choice between two equally difficult or identical outcomes.
సుఖము కష్టముకే.
sukhamu kashtamuke.
Happiness [is followed by ] trouble. Grief borders on the extremes of gladness. (Latin.) If you laugh to-day you may cry to-morrow.
This expression means that true happiness or comfort can only be achieved after enduring hard work or difficulty. It emphasizes that the reward of pleasure is the result of previous struggle.
సన్యాసం చివర కష్టం, సంసారం మధ్య కష్టం
sanyasam chivara kashtam, samsaram madhya kashtam
Asceticism is difficult at the end, family life is difficult in the middle
This proverb highlights the challenges of different stages of life. Being a monk or ascetic (Sanyasam) is difficult in old age due to loneliness and physical ailments, whereas family life (Samsaram) is hardest in the middle years when one is burdened with responsibilities, financial stress, and raising children.
అటయితే కందిపప్పు, ఇటయితే పెసరపప్పు
atayite kandipappu, itayite pesarapappu
In the one case Kandi, in the other Pesara.
This expression describes a situation where a person is guaranteed to benefit regardless of the outcome. It is used to refer to 'win-win' scenarios or when someone is playing both sides to ensure they don't lose anything either way.
Kandi is the Cajanus Indicus; Pesara is the Phaseolus Mungo. Said by a Brahman quack referring to the recovery or death of his patient. In either case he is feasted.
ఈ కష్టాలకన్నా మా అత్త పెట్టే కష్టాలే బాగున్నాయి అన్నదట
i kashtalakanna ma atta pette kashtale bagunnayi annadata
She said the troubles caused by her mother-in-law were better than these hardships
This expression is used to describe a situation where current new difficulties are so overwhelming that previous hardships, which were once considered unbearable, now seem preferable or mild by comparison. It highlights a 'from the frying pan into the fire' scenario.
అదే పథకమైతే మనము బ్రతకమా?
ade pathakamaite manamu bratakama?
If this were a brooch, might we not be made rich ? Patakam ( Sans. Padaka ) is a valuable ornament attached to the Kanthasara ( necklace ). The allusion is to one made of false gold, and set with false gems. Disappointment. The treasure turned out charcoal. (Latin.)?
This expression is used sarcastically or philosophically to point out that if things actually went according to a specific (often flawed or overly simple) plan, life would be much easier or different. It is often used to highlight the gap between ideal planning and reality, or to dismiss a suggestion that sounds good in theory but is impractical.
అందం చిందినట్టు, నాగరికం నష్టమయినట్టు.
andam chindinattu, nagarikam nashtamayinattu.
His beauty has overflowed and his politeness has gone.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to look beautiful or sophisticated results in a loss of dignity or culture. It highlights a scenario where external decoration or modern pretense leads to the destruction of one's innate grace or traditional values. It is often used to criticize superficiality.
Said ironically of an ugly ruffian.
నష్టకష్టము
nashtakashtamu
Loss and hardship
This expression is used to describe a situation involving significant trouble, loss, and suffering. It is often used when someone explains the various difficulties or 'trials and tribulations' they have endured to achieve something or during a bad phase in life.
అదే పతకమైతే అమ్ముకోలేనా?
ade patakamaite ammukolena?
If it were a gold medal, couldn't I sell it?
This expression is used sarcastically to retort when someone asks a redundant or silly question about an obvious situation, or when someone expects one to value something that is actually useless or a burden. It implies that if the object or situation in question actually had any value (like a gold medal), the speaker would have already benefited from it.