కరువు కాలంలో ఒల్లని మొగుడు, పంటకాలంలో పంపమని వచ్చాడట

karuvu kalamlo ollani mogudu, pantakalamlo pampamani vachchadata

Translation

The husband who rejected his wife during the drought, came to claim her during the harvest season.

Meaning

This proverb describes a fair-weather friend or an opportunistic person. It refers to someone who abandons their responsibilities or relationships when times are difficult and resources are scarce, only to return and claim their rights or benefits when prosperity returns.

Related Phrases

Floods in the rainy season, heatwaves in the summer season.

This expression is used to describe the predictable yet harsh realities or inevitable natural occurrences associated with specific times or situations. It implies that every season or phase of life comes with its own set of inherent challenges that one must expect and endure.

In Rama's kingdom there is a scarcity of gold, in Bharata's kingdom there is a scarcity of food.

This expression is used to highlight the irony of scarcity in places of abundance or to describe situations where basic needs or expected luxuries are surprisingly unavailable. It often points to poor distribution or specific hardships despite a generally good reputation.

Like spinning cotton in summer and pounding rice in the rainy season.

This expression refers to poor planning or performing tasks at the most inconvenient and difficult times. Spinning cotton (ekulu vadakadam) is better done when there is humidity (monsoon) to prevent the fiber from breaking, while pounding rice (vadlu danchadam) requires dry weather. Doing them in reverse leads to unnecessary hardship and inefficiency.

You can fool some people for some time, but you cannot fool everyone all the time.

This expression emphasizes that while temporary deception or dishonesty might work on a few people, the truth will eventually come out and it is impossible to sustain a lie against everyone forever. It is often used as a warning against dishonesty in leadership or public life.

The Fire God is an infant in winter and a grown man in summer.

This proverb describes the nature of heat and fire across seasons. In winter, fire feels small and gentle like an infant because we seek its warmth, but in summer, even a little heat feels overwhelming and powerful like a grown man, making it difficult to bear.

Seeds must be sown in the right season, even if it is only in a dream.

This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of timing and punctuality. It suggests that certain tasks must be performed during their designated time to be successful. Even if one is unable to do it physically, the intent and preparation should be there, highlighting that missing a seasonal opportunity leads to failure.

A coin that won't pass and a husband who is not liked.

This expression is used to describe things or people that are useless, burdensome, or of no value in a given situation. Just as a counterfeit or invalid coin cannot be spent, a person who doesn't fulfill their responsibilities or is unwelcome is considered a liability.

A small stick in the sweet syrup

This expression is used to describe a person or an obstacle that disrupts a smooth or pleasant situation. Similar to the English idiom 'a fly in the ointment', it refers to a minor but annoying interference that spoils the enjoyment of something good.

The past is better than the future. "The good old times."

This expression is used to reflect on the past with nostalgia or to express skepticism about the future. It suggests that people often perceive the present or the unknown future as more difficult or uncertain compared to the 'good old days' they have already experienced.

The past is better than the future to come.

This proverb expresses nostalgia and the human tendency to believe that 'the good old days' were superior to the present or the uncertain future. It is often used when people are dissatisfied with current circumstances or are apprehensive about upcoming changes, suggesting that what has passed was more comfortable, virtuous, or prosperous.