ముఖము మాడుపు దీపము ఇంటికి కొరగాదు, రంకుబోతు పెండ్లాము మొగుడికి కొరగాదు, ఏడ్పుగొట్టు బిడ్డ చంకకు కొరగాదు.
mukhamu madupu dipamu intiki koragadu, rankubotu pendlamu mogudiki koragadu, edpugottu bidda chankaku koragadu.
A flickering lamp is unpropitious in a house; a faithless wife is a shame to her husband ; a crying child is not fit for the hip. Hindu women carry children astride on the hip. The word Ganka lite- rally signifies " armpit."
This proverb lists things that fail to fulfill their primary purpose. A lamp is meant to give light; if it is dim, it is useless. A spouse is meant for loyalty; if unfaithful, the relationship is broken. A child is meant to be held with joy; if they cry incessantly, it becomes a burden. It is used to describe people or things that are technically present but fail to provide the intended comfort or utility.
* Vultus est index animi. 39
Related Phrases
పాతది పనికిరాదు, కొత్తది కొరగాదు
patadi panikiradu, kottadi koragadu
The old is of no use, the new is not suitable.
This proverb describes a state of dilemma or dissatisfaction where one finds faults in both the old ways/things and the new alternatives. It is used when a person is stuck in a transition phase, unable to rely on past experiences or tools while finding the newer ones ineffective or difficult to adapt to.
దబ్బులేనివాడు డబ్బుకు కొరగాడు
dabbulenivadu dabbuku koragadu
A person without courage is of no use even with money.
This proverb highlights that courage and self-confidence are more valuable than material wealth. It is used to describe a situation where a person, despite having financial resources, cannot achieve anything or defend themselves because they lack the necessary boldness or character.
ముగ్గురు బిడ్డల్ని కంటే ముసలాడికైనా కొరగాదు.
mugguru biddalni kante musaladikaina koragadu.
If one gives birth to three daughters, even a rich old man will be reduced to nothing.
This traditional proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of the dowry system and wedding expenses in India. It suggests that the financial strain of marrying off three daughters can lead to total poverty, regardless of one's initial wealth or status.
కూడు చీర లేని చోటు కొరగానిది
kudu chira leni chotu koraganidi
A place without food and clothing is useless.
This proverb highlights that basic necessities like food (koodu) and clothing (cheera) are the primary requirements for living. It is used to suggest that one should not stay in a place or a job where even their fundamental needs are not met, as such a place is of no value to them.
ముఖము మాడుపు దీప మింటికి కొరగాదు, అంకుబోతు పెండ్లాం మొగుడికి కొరగాదు, పడ్పుగొట్టు బిడ్డ చంకకు కొరగాదు.
mukhamu madupu dipa mintiki koragadu, ankubotu pendlam mogudiki koragadu, padpugottu bidda chankaku koragadu.
A lamp that flickers out is useless for the house, a rebellious wife is useless for the husband, and a child that refuses to sit is useless on the hip.
This proverb lists three things that fail to serve their intended purpose. It emphasizes that utility and harmony are essential in relationships and tools. If a lamp doesn't provide light, a spouse doesn't provide companionship, or a child is constantly unruly, they cannot fulfill their roles effectively.
లేస్తే కొరగాను భాయీ
leste koraganu bhayi
If I get up, I'll give it you, my boy! The story is that a certain custom house official had no legs, but he used to threaten travellers who attempted to evade payment of duty, until the secret was found out. Applied to powerless threats. If you cannot bite, don't show your teeth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy, lethargic, or lacking initiative. It conveys a sense of total inertia, implying that the person finds it difficult to even start a task, and even if they do, they are useless or ineffective.
* Beter een blind paard, dan een leeg halter. 42 ( 329 )
ఆశ సిగ్గు ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు
asha siggu erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu
Avarice knows not shame; sleep knows not comfort.
This proverb highlights the nature of human basic instincts. It means that when a person is consumed by greed or deep desire, they lose their sense of shame or self-respect to achieve it. Similarly, when a person is truly exhausted and needs sleep, they do not care about the quality of the bed or the comfort of the surroundings; they can sleep anywhere.
When sleep overpowers, comfort is not thought of.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు, వలపు సిగ్గు ఎరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu, valapu siggu erugadu
Hunger knows not taste, sleep knows not comfort, lust knows not shame.
This proverb highlights how basic human instincts and intense emotions override physical circumstances or social norms. When one is starving, the quality of food doesn't matter; when one is exhausted, the comfort of the bed is irrelevant; and when one is in love, they disregard social embarrassment or shyness.
Hunger is the best sauce.
ముగ్గురు బిడ్డలని కంటే, ముసలివానికైనా కొరగాదు.
mugguru biddalani kante, musalivanikaina koragadu.
If one gives birth to three daughters, even an old man becomes useless.
This traditional Telugu proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of marrying off three daughters. It suggests that the expenses and responsibilities associated with the weddings and dowries of three girls would drain a family's wealth so entirely that even a wealthy or stable man (metaphorically the 'old man') would be rendered penniless or ruined.
డబ్బు లేని వాడు డుబ్బుకు కొరగాడు
dabbu leni vadu dubbuku koragadu
A man without money is not even worth a dubbu.
In this context, 'Dubbu' refers to a low-denomination copper coin used in the past. The proverb means that a person without financial means is often disregarded by society and treated as worthless or useless. It highlights the harsh reality of how social status is frequently tied to wealth.