పగలు నిద్ర పనిచేటు, మాపు జాగరణ పై చేటు

pagalu nidra panichetu, mapu jagarana pai chetu

Translation

Sleeping during the day harms work; staying awake late at night harms health.

Meaning

This Telugu proverb highlights the importance of maintaining a proper routine. It suggests that sleeping during daylight hours leads to a loss of productivity and unfinished tasks, while staying awake late into the night (depriving oneself of sleep) negatively impacts physical and mental health.

Related Phrases

Borrowed ornaments cause inconvenience by their weight, pain by taking them off and putting them on, and debt if one of them is lost. He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.

This proverb warns against the risks and anxieties of borrowing expensive items from others. It explains that while borrowed ornaments might make one look wealthy, they bring physical discomfort (burden), constant worry about their safety (hassle of handling), and a massive financial liability if something happens to them.

The one with protruding gums is a curse to the house, and a forked stick is a curse to the pandal.

This is a traditional proverb used to describe individuals or objects that are inherently unsuitable or bring bad luck/ruin to their surroundings. It suggests that just as a weak forked stick cannot properly support a shed (pandal) and leads to its collapse, a person with specific negative traits (metaphorically described here as protruding gums) is seen as a harbinger of misfortune for the family.

A daughter is a harm to the house, a thatched eave is a harm to a terraced building.

This is a traditional proverb reflecting old societal anxieties. It suggests that just as a dry thatched roof poses a fire hazard to a solid building, a daughter's presence was historically viewed as a liability due to the heavy financial burdens (like dowry) and social responsibilities associated with her marriage and well-being. It is used to describe things that are perceived as inherent risks or burdens to an establishment.

Staying awake at night spoiled the day's work.

This expression is used to highlight how a lack of rest or improper timing can ruin productivity. Specifically, it points out that when someone stays up all night (often for unnecessary reasons), they end up being too exhausted or inefficient to perform their duties during the day.

Daytime talk is a loss to work, nighttime talk is a loss to sleep.

This proverb emphasizes time management and the importance of focusing on the task at hand. It suggests that gossiping or idle chatter during the day hinders productivity, while excessive talking at night deprives one of necessary rest. It is used to advise someone to stop talking and focus on their responsibilities or sleep.

Even if it is a poisonous Musini tree, a green tree should not be cut down.

This proverb emphasizes the value of life and environmental preservation. It suggests that one should not destroy something that is thriving and green, even if it is seemingly useless or harmful like the Musini (Strychnine) tree, as every living thing has its place in nature.

Borrowed ornaments are a burden; putting them on and taking them off is a hassle; if one is lost, it results in debt.

This proverb warns against the risks and hassles of borrowing items (especially jewelry or valuables) from others. It implies that borrowed luxury brings more anxiety than joy, as one must constantly guard them, and any loss leads to financial ruin or long-term debt to repay the lender.

Talking in the day time spoils one's business ; talking in the night time spoils one's sleep.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of time management and focus. It suggests that gossiping or talking excessively during the day hinders productivity, while doing the same at night disturbs necessary rest. It is used to advise someone to stop talking and get back to their responsibilities or to sleep.

As the river sleeps. Smooth waters run deep. There is no worse water than that which sleeps. ( French. )

This expression is used to describe a person who appears very calm, innocent, or silent on the surface but possesses great depth, hidden strength, or potential danger. Just as a river looks still while having a powerful current underneath, it refers to someone whose true intentions or capabilities are not immediately visible.

Tall is vulnerable to wind, short is vulnerable to water

This proverb highlights that every physical trait has its own disadvantage depending on the situation. Just as a tall tree or person is more likely to be affected by strong winds (or storms), a short person or object is more likely to be submerged or affected by rising waters (or floods). It is used to suggest that no one is perfectly safe or superior in all circumstances.