నెత్తి కాలనిదే జోలె నిండదు
netti kalanide jole nindadu
Unless the head is burnt, the begging bowl will not be filled.
This proverb emphasizes that hard work, struggle, or intense effort (symbolized by the heat of the sun burning one's head) is necessary to earn a livelihood or achieve results. It implies that without facing difficulties or putting in significant labor, one cannot expect to fulfill their needs or find success.
Related Phrases
అడగని జోలే చెప్పే అవుసలి రామక్క
adagani jole cheppe avusali ramakka
Goldsmith Ramakka, who tells the tale without being asked.
This expression is used to describe someone who offers unsolicited advice or unasked-for information. It refers to a person who habitually interferes in others' business or talks too much about things that weren't even brought up, much like a talkative character who narrates their story without any prompt.
తాగిన వానిదే పాట, సాగిన వానిదే ఆట.
tagina vanide pata, sagina vanide ata.
The song belongs to the one who is drunk, and the game belongs to the one who is successful.
This proverb describes how authority or influence works in certain situations. It suggests that a person who is intoxicated will sing whatever they like regardless of skill, and similarly, the world follows and applauds the person who is currently successful or in power. It is used to highlight that rules often bend for those who are currently influential or dominating a situation.
పదిమంది కలిస్తేనే పాటు
padimandi kalistene patu
Work happens only when ten people join together
This expression emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collective effort. It suggests that significant tasks or social responsibilities cannot be accomplished by an individual alone and require the cooperation of the community or a group.
అడక్కుంటే జోలె అడుక్కుపోతుంది.
adakkunte jole adukkupotundi.
If you don't ask, even the begging bag will sink to the bottom.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of asking for what one needs or deserves. It suggests that if you are too shy or hesitant to speak up or make a request, you will miss out on opportunities or lose what you already have. It is used to encourage people to be proactive and vocal rather than passive.
బడెతె కలవానిదే బర్రె
badete kalavanide barre
The buffalo belongs to the one who holds the stick.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Might is Right.' It implies that power, influence, or physical force often determines ownership or control, regardless of who is legally or morally right. It is used to describe situations where a strong person dominates the weak.
ఇల్లు కాలింది జంగమయ్యా అంటే నా జోలె కప్పెర నా వద్దనే ఉన్నవిలే అన్నాడట
illu kalindi jangamayya ante na jole kappera na vaddane unnavile annadata
When told 'Jangamayya, your house is on fire', he replied 'My begging bag and bowl are with me anyway'.
This proverb describes a person with a detached or nomadic mindset who has very few worldly attachments. It is used to describe someone who remains unbothered by a major loss (like a house) because their most essential possessions or their source of livelihood are safe. It can also imply a sense of indifference or lack of responsibility towards larger properties or societal structures.
వట్టి నిందలు చెప్పితే, గట్టి నిందలు వచ్చును.
vatti nindalu cheppite, gatti nindalu vachchunu.
If you accuse others falsely, you will be accused truly in turn.
This proverb warns that if you spread baseless rumors or false accusations about others, you will eventually face serious and undeniable accusations or consequences yourself. It serves as a reminder that dishonesty and slander often backfire.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదే చెయ్యి కాలదు
nippu muttanide cheyyi kaladu
The hand does not burn without touching fire
This expression is used to imply that every effect has a cause, or that someone wouldn't be in trouble or facing consequences unless they had done something to provoke it. It is similar to the English proverb 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'
అపనింద అవతలపోతే, నిందవచ్చి నెత్తిన పడ్డది.
apaninda avatalapote, nindavachchi nettina paddadi.
When the false accusation went away, a real accusation came and fell on the head.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, while trying to escape or clear themselves of a false blame or minor problem, gets entangled in a much more serious or direct accusation. It is used when someone's troubles seem never-ending or when a situation shifts from bad to worse.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదే చేయి కాలదు
nippu muttanide cheyi kaladu
Without touching, fire wouldn’t scorch.
If one does not make a mistake, the question of punishment does not arise. It is therefore necessary to avoid wrong conduct, in the first place.