జెముడుకు కాయలు ఉన్నవా నీడ ఉన్నదా?
jemuduku kayalu unnava nida unnada?
Has the Jemuḍu fruit or shade?
This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely useless or miserly. Just as a cactus neither provides edible fruit nor sufficient shade for a traveler, some individuals possess neither a helpful nature nor resources that benefit others. It is typically applied to people from whom no help or kindness can be expected.
Jemuḍu is the Euphorbia Tirucalli.
Related Phrases
ఎక్కడ ఉన్నావే గొంగళీ అంటే, వేసిన చోటనే ఉన్నాను వెంగళీ అందట.
ekkada unnave gongali ante, vesina chotane unnanu vengali andata.
" O blanket where are you?" said he " Where you left me, you madman," it replied. A smart repartee.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no progress or change despite effort or passage of time. It highlights stagnation, laziness, or a repetitive cycle where things remain exactly as they were initially. It is often used to mock someone who asks for status updates when no action has been taken to move things forward.
జెముడుకు కాయలూ లేవు, నిలువ నీడా లేదు.
jemuduku kayalu levu, niluva nida ledu.
The cactus has no fruit and provides no shade to stand under.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely useless or of no benefit to others. Just as the cactus plant neither offers food (fruit) nor relief from the sun (shade), some people possess neither resources to share nor a helpful nature.
తన నీడ తనతోనే ఉంటుంది
tana nida tanatone untundi
A man's shadow remains with himself.
This expression signifies that an individual's character, past actions, or inherent nature will always accompany them, regardless of where they go or how they try to hide. It is often used to describe consequences or traits that are inseparable from a person.
The fruits of a man's actions go with him whether good or evil.
మనుష్యులు ఉండరు గాని, మాటలు ఉంటాయి.
manushyulu undaru gani, matalu untayi.
Men remain not, but words last.
This expression highlights the permanence of one's reputation and legacy. While human life is transient and people eventually pass away, the words they spoke, the promises they made, or the impact of their speech endure long after they are gone. It is often used to remind someone to speak wisely or to honor the memory/words of the deceased.
నిన్న ఉన్నవారు నేడు లేరు
ninna unnavaru nedu leru
They who yesterday were to-day are not. The uncertainty of life. To-day stately and brave, to-morrow in the grave. ( Danish. )
This expression refers to the transient and unpredictable nature of human life. It is commonly used to comment on the mortality of man or to express shock and sorrow when someone passes away suddenly. It emphasizes that life is fleeting and nothing is permanent.
కోడలు కొడుకును కంటానంటే, వద్దనే అత్తగారు ఉన్నదా?
kodalu kodukunu kantanante, vaddane attagaru unnada?
When a daughter-in-law says that she is about to bring forth a son, is there any mother-in-law who says "Don't"? i. e. wish the child to be a daughter. Will any one refuse to receive a benefit?
This proverb describes a situation where someone offers to do something that is universally desired or beneficial to everyone involved. It implies that no one would refuse a proposal that results in a positive outcome for the whole group or family. It is often used when someone makes a suggestion that is too good to turn down.
ఎదురుగా ఉన్నవాడే పెళ్ళికొడుకు
eduruga unnavade pellikoduku
The man in front is the bridegroom.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone chooses the most immediate or obvious option available because they lack the time, patience, or resources to look for a better alternative. It implies settling for what is right in front of one's eyes.
వ్యాధికి మందు వున్నదిగాని, విధికి మందు వున్నదా?
vyadhiki mandu vunnadigani, vidhiki mandu vunnada?
There is a remedy for disease, but is there a remedy for fate?
This proverb is used to express that while physical ailments or problems can be cured with medicine or effort, the outcomes of destiny or fate are inevitable and beyond human control. It is often said when someone faces an unavoidable misfortune despite taking all precautions.
వైద్యుడా నీ సంచిలో వేణ్నీళ్లు ఉన్నవా అన్నదట
vaidyuda ni sanchilo vennillu unnava annadata
O Physician! have you hot water in your bag? A lazy woman consulted a doctor : he gave her a prescription—she said that she had no one to send for the medicines; he then gave her a powder which he told her to mix with honey—she could get no honey; at last he gave her some medicine which only required to be mixed in hot water—thereupon she asked whether he had any hot water in his bag! Said of a helpless, feckless creature.
This proverb is used to mock people who have unrealistic or absurd expectations from others. It describes a situation where someone expects a professional to provide even the most basic or trivial things that should be handled by themselves, or asking for something impossible given the context.
ఊరు ఉన్నది, చిప్ప ఉన్నది
uru unnadi, chippa unnadi
There is the village and here is my cup. Said by a beggar.
This expression is used to describe a state of complete carelessness, detachment, or having nothing to lose. It implies that as long as there is a society to live in and a basic means to survive (even by begging), one need not worry about responsibilities or property. It is often said by or about people who are wandering or living a carefree, nomadic life without any attachments.