నడిచే కొద్దీ డొంక, పెట్టే కొద్దీ కుదురు.
nadiche koddi donka, pette koddi kuduru.
As you walk you widen the path, as you put [earth] you raise the ledge.
This proverb suggests that tasks or complications can expand as you engage with them, but stability and progress come from consistent effort and arrangement. It is used to describe how journeys or projects feel longer as you go, yet gain structure as you manage them.
Donka is a path between two fields. Kuduru is a ledge made with earth round a mortar in which grain is pounded.
Related Phrases
పుణ్యం కొద్దీ పురుషుడు, దానం కొద్దీ బిడ్డ
punyam koddi purushudu, danam koddi bidda
A husband is obtained based on one's merit (punyam), and a child is obtained based on one's charity (danam).
This proverb suggests that the quality of one's life partners and children is a result of their past good deeds and character. It is often used to imply that one's fortune in family life is reflections of their own virtues or to counsel patience and acceptance of one's destiny.
పుణ్యం కొద్దీ పురుషుడు, దానం కొద్దీ బిడ్డలు
punyam koddi purushudu, danam koddi biddalu
Husband according to past virtuous deeds and children according to one’s charity.
The advice is that one should lead a virtuous life, so that in the next life, a lady will be blessed with a noble (good) husband. And if she performs acts of charity, she will be blessed additionally with well-behaved (good) children. It calls upon women to lead a life of virtue. By extension, what applies to women applies equally to men.
నడిచే కొద్దీ డొంక, పెట్టే కొద్దీ కుదురు
nadiche koddi donka, pette koddi kuduru
The more you walk, the longer the path; the more you arrange, the more the space.
This expression refers to things that grow or refine with effort and time. It suggests that just as a path reveals itself as you walk, a household or a task becomes more stable and organized the more care and resources you put into it. It is often used to describe how experience builds over time or how investments lead to better stability.
కొద్ది కొద్దిగా తీస్తే కొండయినా కరిగిపోతుంది
koddi koddiga tiste kondayina karigipotundi
If you take away little by little, even a mountain will disappear.
This proverb emphasizes the impact of gradual depletion or persistent effort. It is used in two contexts: as a warning that constant small spending can exhaust even large wealth, or as an encouragement that consistent small steps can complete even the most daunting tasks.
జాతి కొద్దీ బుద్ధి, కులం కొద్దీ ఆచారం
jati koddi buddhi, kulam koddi acharam
Wisdom according to the lineage, tradition according to the community.
This expression suggests that a person's behavior, intellect, and habits are often shaped by their upbringing, heritage, and the social environment or community they belong to. It is used to describe how inherent traits and cultural practices are passed down through generations.
దశకొద్దీ పురుషుడు, దానం కొద్దీ బిడ్డలు.
dashakoddi purushudu, danam koddi biddalu.
A man's success depends on his phase of life, children depend on his charity.
This proverb reflects traditional beliefs that a man's prosperity and success are determined by his current planetary period (Dasha/Fate), while the blessing of having good children is a result of the merits earned through charity and good deeds (Daana). It implies that different aspects of life are governed by different karmic outcomes.
దాణా కొద్దీ లద్ది
dana koddi laddi
Dung proportional to the fodder.
The output or result is always proportional to the input or effort invested. Just as an animal produces waste based on how much it eats, success or results depend on the resources or hard work put in.
పూజ కొద్దీ పురుషుడు, పుణ్యము కొద్దీ పుత్రుడు
puja koddi purushudu, punyamu koddi putrudu
A husband according to the worship [ of the wife ], a son according to the good works [ of the father ].
This proverb suggests that the quality of one's life partners and children is a result of one's past deeds, character, and spiritual merit. It is used to imply that the rewards or the caliber of people in one's life are proportionate to the effort and virtue one has cultivated.
కొద్ది కొద్దిగా తీస్తే, కొండ కూడా సమిసి పోతుంది
koddi koddiga tiste, konda kuda samisi potundi
If you take it away by degrees even a mountain will be removed.
This expression highlights the impact of gradual, continuous depletion. It is often used as a warning that even vast resources, wealth, or savings can be completely exhausted if one keeps spending or taking from them without replenishing, no matter how small the individual withdrawals are.
పిండి కొద్డి రొట్టి
pindi koddi rotti
Cake (roti) according to the dough.
The result that can be achieved depends on the resources available.