జంగానికి బిడ్డలు పుట్టితే, ఊరికి ఉపాధి.
janganiki biddalu puttite, uriki upadhi.
If children are born to a Jangam they are only an annoyance to the village. Because they will add to the number of beggars. The Jangams are the Vira Saivas or followers of the Hindu reformer Basava. Beggars breed, and rich men feed.
This proverb is used in a sarcastic or cynical sense to describe a situation where someone's personal burden or expansion becomes a collective responsibility or a source of nuisance for others. Since Jangamas traditionally lived on alms, more children meant more people asking the villagers for food and support, ironically framed here as 'employment' or 'work' for the providers.
Related Phrases
ఆ వూరివారు ఈ వూరికి రారంటే ఈ వూరివారు ఆ వూరు పోరన్నారట
a vurivaru i vuriki rarante i vurivaru a vuru porannarata
When told that the people of that village won't come to this village, the people of this village said they won't go to that village either.
This expression is used to describe a situation of mutual stubbornness or reciprocal indifference. It highlights a tit-for-tat attitude where one party refuses to cooperate or show interest simply because the other party did the same first. It is often used to mock petty pride or a lack of initiative in resolving conflicts.
పాడు ఊరికి నక్క తలారి
padu uriki nakka talari
A jackal is the watchman of a ruined village.
In a place where there is no leadership or the situation is already beyond repair, incompetent or cunning people end up in charge. It is used to describe a situation where a worthless person assumes a position of authority in a worthless or dysfunctional environment.
Applied to a person who gets on well with his work when there is no one to question him.
పుట్టని బిడ్డకు పూసలు కట్టినట్టు
puttani biddaku pusalu kattinattu
Tying beads round an unborn child.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes elaborate plans or preparations for something that has not yet happened or may never happen. It is similar to the English expression 'Counting your chickens before they hatch.'
Don't reckon your eggs before they are laid. ( Latin. )*
ఈ ఊరికి ఆ ఊరెంతో, ఆ ఊరికి ఈ ఊరంతే.
i uriki a urento, a uriki i urante.
The distance between that village and this village is the same as that between this village and that village.
This expression is used to highlight symmetry, reciprocity, or equality in relationships or situations. It implies that if one party expects respect, effort, or a certain distance from another, the same applies in return. It is often used to remind someone that a relationship is a two-way street or to point out a redundant or obvious comparison.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
ఊరికే ఉండలేకపోతే, ఉరి పెట్టుకో.
urike undalekapote, uri pettuko.
If you can't be quiet, hang yourself.
This is a sarcastic and harsh rebuke used against someone who is constantly restless, meddling in others' affairs, or causing trouble because they cannot sit still. It implies that if they are so bored that they must act recklessly or annoyingly, they might as well do something extreme.
మాధుకరి వాని ఇంటికి ఉపాదానం వాడు పోయినట్టు
madhukari vani intiki upadanam vadu poyinattu
Like the raw rice beggar going to the house of the boiled rice beggar. Some beggars will only receive raw rice which they cook for themselves, others receive boiled rice.
This proverb describes a redundant or futile action where a person seeks help or resources from someone who is in the same poor condition as themselves. It is used to mock the irony of asking for a favor from someone who is equally needy or incapable of providing it.
ఒక ఊరికి వెయ్యి దొవలు
oka uriki veyyi dovalu
There are a thousand ways to a village. Every man in his way. There are more ways to the wood than one.
This expression is used to signify that there are many different ways or methods to achieve the same goal or reach the same destination. It encourages flexibility and emphasizes that one should not be discouraged if one particular path is blocked, as alternatives exist.
ఆలికి అన్నము పెట్టడం ఊరికి ఉపకారమా?
aliki annamu pettadam uriki upakarama?
Is feeding one's wife a benefit to the village ?
This proverb is used to criticize people who claim credit for fulfilling their basic, mandatory personal or family responsibilities as if they are doing a great service to society. It highlights that taking care of one's own household is a duty, not a public act of charity.
కోమటి పిరికి, కొట్టితే ఉరికి.
komati piriki, kottite uriki.
A Kômaṭi is a coward; if you hit him, he runs away.
This proverb is used to describe someone who avoids physical confrontation or is perceived as timid and risk-averse. Historically, it refers to the merchant community (Komati) who preferred negotiation or retreat over violence. In modern usage, it characterizes anyone who lacks courage or flees at the first sign of trouble.
వచ్చీ రాని మాటలు రుచి, వూరీ వూరని వూరుగాయ రుచి.
vachchi rani matalu ruchi, vuri vurani vurugaya ruchi.
The half articulated words [ of children ] are pleasant [ to the ear ] and half pickled vegetables to the taste.
This proverb describes the charm of imperfection or the initial stages of a process. Just as the broken, innocent babbling of a toddler is more delightful to hear than perfect speech, a pickle that is still in the process of marinating (not yet fully fermented) has a unique, appetizing flavor.