మడిదున్ని మహారాజయినవాడు, చేను దున్ని చెడ్డవాడూ లేడు.
madidunni maharajayinavadu, chenu dunni cheddavadu ledu.
There is no one who became a king by tilling a small plot, and no one who was ruined by tilling a field.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of hard work, specifically in agriculture. It suggests that while farming may not make one instant royalty, honest labor in the fields will never lead to one's downfall or absolute ruin. It encourages persistence and the belief that self-employment through land will always provide a livelihood.
Related Phrases
చేనుచేసి చెడినవాడు, మడిచేసి మనినవాడులేడు
chenuchesi chedinavadu, madichesi maninavaduledu
There is no one who was ruined by dry-land farming, and no one who thrived by wetland farming.
This traditional agricultural proverb highlights the risks and rewards associated with different types of farming. It suggests that dry-land cultivation (Chenu) is generally reliable and rarely leads to total ruin, whereas wet-land cultivation (Madi), despite its high yield potential, involves high costs and risks that often make it difficult for a farmer to truly prosper or remain stable.
పాలేరు దున్నినవాడు అప్పలపాలు
paleru dunninavadu appalapalu
One who lets a farmhand do the plowing ends up in debt.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of personal supervision and hard work in one's business or agriculture. It suggests that if you rely entirely on others (like a farmhand or employee) to do your core work without oversight, the inefficiency or lack of care will eventually lead to financial loss or debt.
నేర్చి బ్రతికినవాడూ నేర్వక చెడ్డవాడూ లేడు
nerchi bratikinavadu nervaka cheddavadu ledu
There is no one who lived by learning and no one who was ruined by not learning.
This expression is often used sarcastically or in a cynical context to imply that practical survival or success doesn't always depend on formal education or 'learning'. It can also suggest that innate nature or luck plays a larger role than acquired knowledge.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
మెట్ట దున్నినవాడు, లొట్టె త్రాగినవాడు ఒకటే.
metta dunninavadu, lotte traginavadu okate.
The one who plows rain-fed land and the one who drinks toddy are the same.
This proverb highlights the uncertainty and futility of certain actions. Plowing 'Metta' (dry/rain-fed land) is risky because the harvest depends entirely on unpredictable rain, often leading to no result. Similarly, a person who drinks 'Lotte' (toddy/liquor) loses their senses and ends up with nothing. It is used to describe situations where hard work or actions are likely to go to waste due to unfavorable conditions or bad habits.
అన్నీ తెలిసినవాడూ లేడు, ఏమీ తెలియనివాడూ లేడు.
anni telisinavadu ledu, emi teliyanivadu ledu.
There is no one who knows everything, there is no one who knows nothing.
This expression emphasizes humility and the vastness of knowledge. It suggests that no single person is an absolute expert in every field, nor is anyone completely devoid of any knowledge or skills. It is used to remind people that everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to offer.
బావి కింద దున్ని బ్రతికినవాడు, చెరువు కింద దున్ని చెడిపోయినవాడు లేడు
bavi kinda dunni bratikinavadu, cheruvu kinda dunni chedipoyinavadu ledu
No one has failed after farming under a lake, and no one has flourished solely by farming under a well.
This proverb highlights the reliability of water sources in agriculture. It suggests that farming near a large lake (abundant water) ensures success and prosperity, whereas relying on a small well (limited water) is much riskier and rarely leads to significant wealth.
తిన్నవాడే మన్నవాడు, మన్నవాడే మహారాజు.
tinnavade mannavadu, mannavade maharaju.
He that ate prospered, and he that prospered became a Ma- hârâja.
This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.
మడి దున్ని మన్నినవాడు, చేను చేసి చెడినవాడు లేడు.
madi dunni manninavadu, chenu chesi chedinavadu ledu.
There is no one who lived by plowing the wet land or was ruined by working the farm field.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of agriculture. It suggests that hard work in farming consistently provides a livelihood and never leads to a person's downfall. It is used to encourage people to trust in honest labor and the fertility of the land.
పల్లము దున్నినవాడు, పల్లకి ఎక్కుతాడు
pallamu dunninavadu, pallaki ekkutadu
The one who plows the lowlands will ride the palanquin.
This proverb emphasizes that hard work and perseverance lead to prosperity and high status. Lowlands are often the most fertile but difficult areas to cultivate; therefore, the person who puts in the effort to farm them will eventually earn enough wealth and respect to afford a luxury like a palanquin (an ancient symbol of status and comfort).