మొలమట్టు దుఃఖములో మోకాలుమట్టు సంతోషము
molamattu duhkhamulo mokalumattu santoshamu
Up the waist in grief, up to the knees in joy.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a small amount of relief or joy amidst an overwhelming amount of grief or trouble. It highlights that the positive aspect, though present, is significantly smaller than the hardship being faced.
Related Phrases
కాని కాలం కోటి దుఃఖం
kani kalam koti duhkham
One sixty-fourth part of folly will bring ten millions of sorrows. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
This expression is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is not on your side (bad timing/adversity), one problem leads to another, resulting in immense suffering.
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.
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.
చావు తప్పి కన్ను లొట్టబోయింది
chavu tappi kannu lottaboyindi
Death was avoided, but the eye was hollowed out.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one narrowly escapes a major disaster or death, but still suffers a significant, though non-fatal, loss or damage. It is similar to the English saying 'to have a close shave' or 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth' but with an emphasis on the minor damage incurred during the escape.
పుచ్చుకున్నప్పుడు పుత్రుడు పుట్టినంత సంతోషం, ఇచ్చేటప్పుడు ఇంటాయన పోయినంత దుఃఖం
puchchukunnappudu putrudu puttinanta santosham, ichchetappudu intayana poyinanta duhkham
Happiness like that of a son's birth when receiving, and sorrow like that of a husband's death when giving back.
This proverb is used to describe a person's hypocrisy or double standards regarding money or favors. It highlights how some people are extremely joyful when taking a loan or receiving help, but feel immense pain and bitterness when the time comes to repay it or return the favor.
చాలని బట్టకొంటే చినిగేవరకు దుఃఖము, చాలనిమగని చేసుకుంటే చచ్చేవరకు దుఃఖము
chalani battakonte chinigevaraku duhkhamu, chalanimagani chesukunte chachchevaraku duhkhamu
Buying insufficient cloth brings grief until it tears; marrying an incompatible husband brings grief until death.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of making wise, long-term decisions. Just as buying cloth that is too small or of poor quality causes constant annoyance until it is worn out, choosing an unsuitable life partner leads to a lifetime of regret and sorrow. It serves as a warning to be careful in choices that have lasting consequences.
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.
సంతోషం సగం బలం.
santosham sagam balam.
Being joyful is half one’s strength.
This is to suggest that one should be joyful, especially in unfavourable circumstances. That is the way to draw strength from even adverse circumstances.