కోల ఆడితే, కోతి ఆడును.
kola adite, koti adunu.
If you shake the stick the monkey will dance.
This proverb highlights that discipline, fear, or external motivation is often necessary to get work done. It is used to describe situations where someone only performs their duties or behaves well because of strict supervision or the threat of consequences, much like a monkey performing only when its trainer moves the stick.
It is the raised stick that makes the dog obey. ( Danish. )* * Holder man el Kleppen til, agter Hunden intet Bud.
Related Phrases
ఊరికి ఒక భోగం అది, ఎవరి వద్ద ఆడును?
uriki oka bhogam adi, evari vadda adunu?
There is but one dancing girl in the village; before whom is she to dance ?
This proverb describes a situation where there is a single resource or individual available to serve many people, leading to a conflict of interest or impossibility of satisfying everyone simultaneously. It is used when one person is pulled in many different directions or when limited resources are expected to meet excessive demands.
మోచెయ్యి ఆడితే, ముంజెయ్యి ఆడుతుంది.
mocheyyi adite, munjeyyi adutundi.
If the elbow moves, the wrist moves with it.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the necessity of hard work. It means that only when one works hard physically (moving the elbow/arm), can they afford to eat (moving the hand to the mouth). It is used to convey that effort is a prerequisite for sustenance.
ఆసుకోలా ఆనుకోలా అంటే పరుగుతీ నావెంటరా అందిట
asukola anukola ante paruguti naventara andita
When asked whether to support or to lean on, it said 'Run and follow me'
This proverb describes a situation where someone asks for a small favor or simple assistance, but the other person responds by demanding a much larger effort or posing an even bigger problem. It is used when a solution offered is far more exhausting or complicated than the original issue.
కోటి విద్యలు నేర్చినా, కూటి కొరకే
koti vidyalu nerchina, kuti korake
Even if you learn ten million arts, it is all for food.
This expression emphasizes that no matter how highly educated or skilled a person is, the primary motivation and end goal of most human endeavors is to earn a livelihood and satisfy basic needs like food. It is used to highlight the practicality of survival over mere intellectual or artistic pursuits.
ఊరికంతా ఒక బోగముదైతే, ఆ బోగముది ఎవరి వద్ద ఆడును?
urikanta oka bogamudaite, a bogamudi evari vadda adunu?
If there is only one dancer for the whole village, before whom will she perform?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a single resource, person, or service is shared by too many people, leading to conflict or impracticality. It highlights the impossibility of satisfying everyone's demands simultaneously when supply is extremely limited.
పులిని కోల వేసినట్లు
pulini kola vesinatlu
Like poking a tiger with a stick
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily provokes or irritates a powerful, dangerous, or short-tempered person, thereby inviting trouble or a violent reaction. It highlights the foolishness of instigating someone who is already capable of causing significant harm.
కోటి విద్యలు కూటి కొరకే
koti vidyalu kuti korake
Ten million types of knowledge/skills are only for the sake of food.
This proverb highlights that no matter how many skills one acquires or how educated one becomes, the ultimate goal of all work is to earn a livelihood and satisfy basic needs like food. It is used to emphasize that every profession, no matter how prestigious, is fundamentally a means to survive.
కులమింటి కోతి అయినా మేలు.
kulaminti koti ayina melu.
A monkey [ -like wife ] of good family is better [than a pretty wife of low origin ].
This proverb suggests that it is better to deal with someone familiar, even if they have flaws or are troublesome, rather than trusting a stranger. It emphasizes the comfort and safety found within one's own community, family, or social circle during times of need.
ముంజేయి ఆడితే, మోచేయి ఆడుతుంది
munjeyi adite, mocheyi adutundi
If the forearm moves, the elbow moves.
This expression emphasizes the importance of hard work and action. It means that only when you put in the physical effort (moving your hands/forearm) will you get the momentum and results (the rest of the arm moving) needed to sustain yourself, typically referring to the act of working to earn a meal.
కంకణాల చెయ్యి ఆడితే, కడియాల చెయ్యి ఆడును.
kankanala cheyyi adite, kadiyala cheyyi adunu.
If the hand with Kankaṇamulu moves, the hand with Kaḍiyamulu moves also. Kankaṇamulu are bracelets worn by women. Kaḍiyamulu are those worn by men. Where woman leads man follows.
This proverb highlights the interdependency within a household or society. 'Hand with bangles' refers to the woman (traditionally managing the kitchen/home), and 'hand with bracelets' refers to the man (traditionally the earner). It means that when the woman works to cook and manage the house, the man can eat and have the strength to work, or more broadly, that domestic stability is the foundation for external success.