ముసలాడికి వగలాడి ఆలైనా, ఆత్రపు విటకానికి అతిభాషి లంజైనా వెతలే.
musaladiki vagaladi alaina, atrapu vitakaniki atibhashi lanjaina vetale.
If an old man gets a flirtatious wife, or if a desperate lover gets a talkative mistress, it only leads to sorrow.
This proverb highlights situations of incompatibility and the misery caused by mismatched partnerships. It suggests that a person who cannot keep up with or manage their partner's demanding or excessive nature will eventually suffer mental or physical exhaustion.
Related Phrases
ఊరివాడికి కాటిభయం, పొరుగూరివాడికి నీటిభయం
urivadiki katibhayam, porugurivadiki nitibhayam
The inhabitant of the village is afraid of the cemetery; the stranger is afraid of the water. The inhabitant of the village has a superstitious dread of the burial or burning ground, and avoids it; but the stranger does not know its situation and walks through it. On the other hand, the villager knows the depth of the tank, and does not fear going into it, but the stranger is afraid to venture. No safe wading in an unknown water.
This proverb highlights how fear is often rooted in personal experience or specific knowledge. A local resident is afraid of the village cemetery because they know the legends or have seen deaths there, while a traveler or outsider is afraid of the local water sources (lakes or rivers) because they are unfamiliar with their depth or hidden dangers.
నూరు అబద్ధాలాడి అయినా ఒక ఇల్లు నిలపాలి
nuru abaddhaladi ayina oka illu nilapali
You should save another even by telling a hundred lies.
This proverb is often used in the context of marriage or saving a family from breaking apart. It suggests that if white lies or minor deceptions can prevent a significant disaster like a divorce or a family feud, they are justified for the greater good of preserving the home.
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.
రాయడి తలది, చాకలి మొలది.
rayadi taladi, chakali moladi.
Round the lord's head, round the washerman's waist. i. e. the lord's head cloth is used by the washerman for a lower garment.
This proverb highlights the difference in status or priority between two people. It refers to how a royal person (Rayadu) wears a turban on their head, while a washerman (Chakali) wears a loincloth around their waist, though both may use similar cloth. It is used to describe situations where things are allocated according to one's status or where there is a clear hierarchy in importance.
పప్పుకూటికి పది ఆమడలైనా వెళ్ళమన్నారు
pappukutiki padi amadalaina vellamannaru
They say one should travel even ten amadas (distance) for a meal with dal.
This proverb highlights the high value placed on 'Pappu' (dal/lentils) in Telugu culture. It suggests that a simple, nutritious, and satisfying meal is worth any amount of effort or travel. It is used to describe something so desirable or beneficial that the distance or struggle to obtain it becomes irrelevant.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు.
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu.
Hunger knows no taste, and sleep knows no comfort.
This proverb describes how basic human needs transcend quality or luxury when the need is urgent. A starving person does not care if the food is delicious or plain; similarly, an exhausted person can fall asleep on any surface, regardless of comfort.
ఆపదలైనా, సంపదలైనా ఒంటరిగా రావు.
apadalaina, sampadalaina ontariga ravu.
Be it calamities or wealth, they do not come alone.
This expression suggests that both misfortunes and fortunes tend to arrive in series or clusters rather than as isolated incidents. It is used to describe situations where multiple problems occur at once (misfortunes never come singly) or when a stroke of luck leads to multiple benefits.
వగలాడికి ముసలాతడు మగడైతే దాని వంత యింతింతా
vagaladiki musalatadu magadaite dani vanta yintinta
If a coquettish woman is married to an old man, her grief is boundless.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a gross mismatch in a partnership, leading to inevitable dissatisfaction or misery. It highlights the frustration that arises when one's desires or energy levels are significantly higher than those of their partner or the circumstances they are tied to.
గాజులు చెయ్యి గలగలలాడితే ఇల్లు కళకళలాడుతుంది
gajulu cheyyi galagalaladite illu kalakalaladutundi
When bangled hands make a jingling sound, the house shines with prosperity.
This proverb highlights the traditional belief that the presence and active involvement of a woman in a household bring vibrancy, joy, and prosperity. The 'jingling of bangles' symbolizes her work and presence, which is seen as essential for a happy and lively home.
అలవాటైన వాని ఆలైతే మాత్రం అందరికీ చులకనౌతుందా?
alavataina vani alaite matram andariki chulakanautunda?
Just because someone becomes the wife of a familiar person, does she become cheap to everyone?
This proverb is used to say that familiarity or close association with someone shouldn't lead to a lack of respect or being taken for granted. It highlights that even if someone is well-known or 'one of our own,' they still deserve dignity and shouldn't be treated lightly or with contempt by the community.