మంటిలో మానెడు, ఇంటిలో పుట్టెడు.

mantilo manedu, intilo puttedu.

Translation

A measure in the mud, a heap in the house.

Meaning

This is a traditional agricultural saying referring to the high yield of crops. It means that even a small amount of seed sown in the soil (mud) can result in a massive harvest stored at home. It is used to describe investments or efforts that yield exponentially great results.

Related Phrases

Eerakka inside the house and Perakka in the backyard

This proverb refers to a person who plays different roles or behaves differently in different situations, or more commonly, it describes two people who are constantly competing or causing trouble in their respective domains. It is often used to describe sisters-in-law or women in a household who are equally difficult to deal with or who divide their 'territories' of influence.

A measure in Magha, a basketful in Pubba.

This is an agricultural proverb related to rainfall during specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that even a small amount of rain during the 'Magha' season is valuable, but heavy rain during the 'Pubba' season is extremely beneficial and results in a bountiful harvest.

Lime in one eye and butter in the other eye

This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or groups are treated differently—one with harshness (lime/sunnam, which burns) and the other with kindness (butter/venna, which soothes).

If it is a measure in the field, it is a heap at home.

This proverb highlights the importance of hard work and investment at the source. It implies that a small, diligent effort or investment during the cultivation/working phase leads to a manifold increase in results and prosperity at home. It is used to encourage people to be generous or hardworking in their primary endeavors to reap greater rewards later.

Became a porcupine quill in the house

This expression is used to describe a person who enters a group or a household and causes constant friction, disputes, or divisions among the members. Just as a porcupine quill is said to cause irritation or bad luck in a home according to folklore, this refers to someone whose presence is destructive to harmony.

An abandoned cot in a deserted house.

This expression describes something that is completely useless, neglected, or lacks any ownership or value. It is often used to refer to people who have no one to care for them or objects left behind that serve no purpose to anyone.

If you pour a mana in the soil, they will pour an idumu in the house.

This proverb highlights the abundance of nature and the rewards of hard work in farming. A 'mana' and 'idumu' are traditional measures of volume, with an idumu being significantly larger. It means that if a farmer sows even a small measure of seeds into the earth, nature returns a much larger harvest into their home. It is used to encourage investment and labor.

At first one Mânika, after the calf's death a potful [ of milk ].

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates the value or quantity of something only after it is lost or gone. It mocks people who claim a great loss but didn't value the object much when it was actually available.

Conflict at home, aggression in the street

This proverb describes a person who faces constant quarrels or domestic strife at home, and as a result, projects an aggressive, loud, or overly energetic persona in public. It is used to point out that someone's outward bravado often stems from a lack of peace in their private life.

A bushelful of good works, and a dishful of worms. A great show of piety, but the prospect of future punishment for evil deeds.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a supposedly good deed or religious act, but the unintended negative consequences, sins, or flaws associated with it far outweigh the benefits. It highlights hypocrisy or the futility of an action that brings more harm than good.