కలిగితే కాళ్లు మొయ్యి, లేకపోతే మోకాళ్లు మొయ్యి
kaligite kallu moyyi, lekapote mokallu moyyi
If you can afford it, [ your dress ] should cover your feet; if not, it should cover your knees. Living according to one's means. Cut your coat according to your cloth.
This proverb highlights the struggle and burden of poverty. It means that if a person is well-off, they can walk with strength and dignity. However, if they are poor or lacking resources, they must still find a way to carry their burdens, even if it means struggling on their knees. It is used to describe how people must adapt to their circumstances and continue their efforts regardless of their financial or physical state.
* Anus simia sero quidem,
Related Phrases
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
అన్నము లేకపోతే వరి అన్నము, బట్ట లేకపోతే పట్టుబట్ట.
annamu lekapote vari annamu, batta lekapote pattubatta.
If you have no common food, [give me] the best; if you have no common cloth, [give me] a silk one.
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe someone who, when they lack basic necessities, demands or expects high-end luxuries instead of seeking practical alternatives. It highlights the irony of having extravagant tastes or unrealistic expectations while being in a state of poverty or deprivation.
Said by an impertinent beggar when refused assistance by a stingy person.
మునిగిపోయినవాడా నువ్వులు చల్లుమన్నట్టు.
munigipoyinavada nuvvulu challumannattu.
O unfortunate man! sow Sesamum. Advice given to a farmer very unfortunate in his crops. The Sesamum crop is generally profitable.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already in a state of total loss or ruin is asked to perform a ritual or act that no longer matters. It signifies a point beyond recovery where additional small efforts or ceremonial gestures are futile, or when someone takes advantage of another's complete downfall to get a task done.
పంజకు ధైర్యము, కల్లుముంతకు ఎంగిలిలేవు
panjaku dhairyamu, kallumuntaku engililevu
There is no such thing as courage for a coward, and no such thing as ritual impurity for a toddy pot.
This proverb is used to describe things or people who lack certain inherent qualities or standards. Just as a coward (panja) can never truly possess courage, a toddy pot (used in drinking dens) is considered beyond the rules of formal cleanliness or 'engili' because of its nature and environment. It implies that some things are fundamentally inconsistent with certain virtues or social norms.
పాటు కలిగితే కూటికి కొదవా?
patu kaligite kutiki kodava?
If you get work, will food be wanting ?
This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and self-reliance. It means that as long as a person is willing to put in physical effort and work hard, they will never have to worry about basic necessities like food. It is used to encourage someone to be industrious rather than lazy or dependent on others.
ఉంటే లిక్కి, లేకపోతే కొడవలి
unte likki, lekapote kodavali
If it exists, it is a small weeding tool; if not, it is a sickle.
This expression describes the behavior of people who are inconsistent or opportunistic in their relationships. It refers to someone who treats you as a useful friend (small tool) when they need something, but acts sharp or hostile (sickle) when they don't, or someone whose stance changes drastically based on availability and convenience.
అందీతే సిగ అందక పోతే కాళ్ళు.
andite siga andaka pote kallu.
To go for the head or fall at the feet of a person to get one’s purpose served.
This is said of the opportunist who changes tactics, with the sole purpose of realising his wishes.
కడుపు నిండితే కడవలు మోయలేక పగులగొట్టినట్లు
kadupu nindite kadavalu moyaleka pagulagottinatlu
Like breaking the pots because one is too full to carry them.
This expression is used to describe a person who becomes arrogant, lazy, or reckless once their basic needs are met or when they achieve prosperity. It refers to someone who forgets their struggles and destroys the very tools or resources that helped them, simply because they no longer feel the immediate pressure of necessity.
నోరు ముయ్యగలరు గాని, లోకమును ముయ్యగలరా?
noru muyyagalaru gani, lokamunu muyyagalara?
You may cover the mouth of a pot but can you cover up the world? You may shut one man's mouth, but you cannot shut the mouth of the world.
This expression means that while you can silence an individual or hide a secret from one person, you cannot stop the entire world from talking or gossip from spreading. It is used to suggest that public opinion is beyond anyone's control.
* Homme chiche janala riche.
పాటు కలిగితే కూటికి కొదువా
patu kaligite kutiki koduva
If there is hard work, will there be a shortage of food?
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reward of labor. It means that as long as a person is willing to work hard and put in the effort, they will never have to worry about basic necessities like food. It is used to encourage industriousness and self-reliance.