కన్ను ఎరుగకున్నా కడుపు ఎరుగుతుంది
kannu erugakunna kadupu erugutundi
Although the eye does not see, the belly finds. A man's want leads him to seek and find a livelihood. A hungry man sees far. A hungry man discovers more than a hundred lawyers. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe the instinctual bond between a mother and her child. It implies that even if a mother cannot see her child's suffering or needs with her eyes, she can feel them intuitively in her gut or heart. It is often used to emphasize maternal intuition and the deep, invisible connection of parenthood.
Related Phrases
కన్ను ఎర్రనైనా మిన్ను ఎర్రనైనా కారక మానదు
kannu erranaina minnu erranaina karaka manadu
When the eye is red, or the sky is red, ( at sunset ) there will surely be a dropping.
This proverb highlights inevitable outcomes based on natural signs. When the eye is red (inflamed or angry), tears will flow; when the sky turns red (with clouds), rain will fall. It is used to describe situations where certain consequences are bound to happen once the symptoms or conditions are present.
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ ఎవరూ చూడడం లేదని అనుకున్నట్లు.
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu evaru chudadam ledani anukunnatlu.
Like a cat shutting her eyes, and fancying that no one could see her drinking the milk. A man fancying that he is unseen when committing some crime. The forest has ears, the field has eyes. (German.)
This proverb refers to people who commit wrongdoings or deceptive acts thinking they are being clever or secretive, while in reality, their actions are obvious to everyone else. It is used to mock self-deception and the foolish belief that one can hide the truth by simply ignoring it.
నక్కలు ఎరుగని బొక్కలు, నాగులు ఎరుగని పుట్టలు ఉంటాయా?
nakkalu erugani bokkalu, nagulu erugani puttalu untaya?
Are there holes unknown to jackals, or anthills to snakes ?
This proverb is used to describe experts or experienced people who are thoroughly familiar with their field. Just as a fox knows every burrow and a cobra knows every anthill, a seasoned professional knows every trick, secret, or detail of their domain. It is often said when someone tries to hide something from an expert or when questioning if an expert could have missed a detail.
ఆకలి రుచి యెరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖం యెరుగదు.
akali ruchi yerugadu, nidra sukham yerugadu.
Hunger does not know (need) taste and sleep knows (needs) no comfort.
When a person is very hungry anything tastes good; when very sleepy, one does not require the usual comfort one looks for.
రోలు కరువు ఎరుగదు
rolu karuvu erugadu
The rice mortar feels not the famine.
This proverb is used to describe something that remains busy or functional regardless of the external situation. Just as a mortar is used to grind grain even during a famine (to process whatever little food is available), certain people or systems continue their routine or extraction despite the hardships around them.
Some grain or other is always pounded in it. Said of a person who is exempted by his position from the loss which falls upon others, or of one who escapes a general misfortune.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు, వలపు సిగ్గు ఎరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu, valapu siggu erugadu
Hunger knows not taste, sleep knows not comfort, lust knows not shame.
This proverb highlights how basic human instincts and intense emotions override physical circumstances or social norms. When one is starving, the quality of food doesn't matter; when one is exhausted, the comfort of the bed is irrelevant; and when one is in love, they disregard social embarrassment or shyness.
Hunger is the best sauce.
వంకాయ రుచి తోటవాడు ఎరుగును, అరటికాయ రుచి రాజు ఎరుగును.
vankaya ruchi totavadu erugunu, aratikaya ruchi raju erugunu.
The gardener knows the taste of the brinjal; the king knows the taste of the plantain. Brinjals should be cooked and eaten fresh from the garden. Plantains when used in an unripe state as a vegetable, should be kept a few days. Before the brinjals are set before a king they have lost some of their flavour, and as the gardener cannot afford to keep the plantains he plucks, he cooks them before they are ready for the pot.
This proverb highlights how appreciation and value vary based on perspective and social standing. The gardener knows the true quality of the eggplant because he grows it and sees it daily (practical knowledge), while the King appreciates the banana as it is a staple of royal feasts and luxury (refined or final enjoyment). It is used to say that different people have different expertise or preferences based on their life experiences.
గురివింద గింజ తన ఎరుపు ఎరుగును గాని తన ముడ్డి కింద నలుపు ఎరుగదు
gurivinda ginja tana erupu erugunu gani tana muddi kinda nalupu erugadu
The Guruvinda seed knows its redness, but not the blackness of its lower part. A man values himself highly, but does not know his own defects. No one sees his own faults. (German.)
This proverb is used to describe a person who is quick to point out faults in others while being completely oblivious to their own flaws. The Gurivinda seed (Rosary Pea) is bright red and beautiful, but has a distinct black spot at its bottom which it cannot 'see'. It serves as a metaphor for hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness.
నన్ను నేనే ఎరుగను, నిన్ను నేనేమి ఎరుగుదును?
nannu nene eruganu, ninnu nenemi erugudunu?
He said "I don't know myself, how can I know you?" Said of a supercilious fellow.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-awareness or basic competence, making them incapable of understanding or helping others. It is often used in a philosophical context regarding self-realization or sarcastically when someone who can't handle their own problems tries to offer advice to others.
గొడ్డుపోతు ఏమి ఎరుగురా బిడ్డ చవి
goddupotu emi erugura bidda chavi
What does the barren woman know of the pleasure of hav- ing children? He who has no children knows not what is love. (Italian.)* : * Chi non ha figliuoli, non sa che cosa èa amore. 19
This proverb is used to point out that a person who has never experienced a particular situation or hardship cannot truly understand the feelings, joys, or pains associated with it. It is similar to the English expression 'only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.'