కుక్కను ఎక్కితే సుఖమూ లేదు, కూలబడితే దుఃఖమూ లేదు
kukkanu ekkite sukhamu ledu, kulabadite duhkhamu ledu
There is no pleasure in riding a dog, and no pain if it collapses.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a thing that is of very low value or trivial significance. It implies that being associated with such a person or thing brings no real benefit (honor), and losing it or failing in it causes no real loss or sorrow. It emphasizes the pointlessness of pursuing something inferior.
Related Phrases
ఆయం తప్పితే గాయమంత సుఖము లేదు.
ayam tappite gayamanta sukhamu ledu.
If the vital parts escape, there is no comfort like that which follows a wound. An invalid receives every attention from his friends.
This proverb highlights a sense of relief when a major danger or a fatal blow is narrowly avoided, resulting only in a minor injury. It is used to express that a small loss or superficial damage is a blessing when compared to a potential life-threatening or catastrophic failure.
చెబితే సిగ్గు, దాస్తే దుఃఖం
chebite siggu, daste duhkham
If you tell it—shame; if you hide it—sorrow. The allusion is to adultery.
This expression is used to describe a predicament or a secret that is so embarrassing it causes shame to disclose, yet so painful or burdensome that keeping it hidden causes deep inner suffering. It is used when someone is caught between a rock and a hard place regarding a sensitive personal matter.
జన్మ దుఃఖం, జరా దుఃఖం, వ్యాధి దుఃఖం, సర్వం దుఃఖం
janma duhkham, jara duhkham, vyadhi duhkham, sarvam duhkham
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, disease is suffering, everything is suffering.
Derived from Buddhist philosophy, this expression highlights the fundamental truth of human existence: that life is inherently filled with various forms of pain and hardship. It is used to describe the cycle of life and the inevitability of suffering across different stages—from birth to old age and illness.
చెవ్వాకు పోయినమ్మకు దుఃఖమూ లేదు, దొరికినమ్మకు సంతోషమూ లేదు.
chevvaku poyinammaku duhkhamu ledu, dorikinammaku santoshamu ledu.
Neither the woman who lost her earring is sad, nor the woman who found it is happy.
This expression refers to an object or a situation that is of such low value or triviality that its loss doesn't affect the owner, and its discovery doesn't benefit the finder. It is used to describe things that are practically useless or insignificant to everyone involved.
సుఖం స్వర్గం, దుఃఖం నరకం
sukham svargam, duhkham narakam
Happiness is heaven, suffering is hell.
This expression simplifies the philosophical concept that heaven and hell are not physical places one goes to after death, but are states of mind experienced in the present life based on one's circumstances and mental outlook. It is used to emphasize that living happily is equivalent to being in paradise.
దుఃఖము సుఖమును వెన్నుదన్నే వెన్నాడుచుండును.
duhkhamu sukhamunu vennudanne vennaduchundunu.
Sorrow follows behind happiness, supporting it.
This expression highlights the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that joy and sorrow are inseparable companions. Just as a shadow follows a person, grief inevitably follows happiness, and conversely, sorrow provides the backdrop that makes happiness meaningful. It is used to encourage equanimity during good times and hope during bad times.
దూడ అంత దుఃఖము, పాడి అంత సుఖము లేదు.
duda anta duhkhamu, padi anta sukhamu ledu.
There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.
అతిశయ దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపుదుఃఖం కలకాలం
atishaya duhkham arunelalu, kadupuduhkham kalakalam
Excessive grief lasts six months, but the grief of losing a child lasts forever.
This proverb contrasts different types of sorrows. While general intense grief or social mourning might fade over a period (metaphorically six months), the pain a parent feels over the loss of their own child (kadupu duhkham) is permanent and remains for a lifetime.
ముఖంలో సుఖం లేదు, మోకాళ్ళలో బిగువు లేదు
mukhamlo sukham ledu, mokallalo biguvu ledu
No happiness in the face, no strength in the knees
This expression describes a state of total exhaustion, aging, or complete lack of vitality. It is used when a person is both mentally dejected (no glow/happiness on the face) and physically weak (knees failing), indicating they are no longer fit for strenuous work or are feeling the heavy toll of hardship.
అర్తి దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపు దుఃఖం కలకాలం
arti duhkham arunelalu, kadupu duhkham kalakalam
The grief of the neck [lasts] six months; the grief of the womb, for ever. The " grief of the neck " signifies widowhood, when the marriage cord is broken. The " grief of the womb" signifies the loss of a child.
This proverb highlights the depth of emotional loss. It suggests that while the sorrow of losing a partner (arti) might fade or heal with time, the pain of losing one's own child (kadupu) is an eternal wound that never truly heals. It is used to describe the incomparable bond between a parent and child.
* Can ch'abbala non morde.