పైపాలు లేని పైరు, ఏగలి అంబలిలేని మనిషి
paipalu leni pairu, egali ambalileni manishi
A crop without water, and a person without morning porridge.
This proverb highlights the essential requirements for survival and productivity. Just as a crop cannot grow or yield without a supply of water, a manual laborer or farmer cannot function or stay healthy without their basic morning sustenance (ambali). It emphasizes that ignoring basic needs leads to inevitable failure.
Related Phrases
ఎరువులేని పైరు, పరువులేని రైతు.
eruvuleni pairu, paruvuleni raitu.
A crop without fertilizer, a farmer without dignity.
This proverb highlights the essential nature of self-respect and integrity for an individual. Just as a crop cannot grow healthy or yield results without proper manure/fertilizer, a person (metaphorically referred to as a farmer) cannot truly thrive or lead a meaningful life without honor and social standing.
అప్పులేని మనిషి, పిప్పిలేని పగడం ఉండునా?
appuleni manishi, pippileni pagadam unduna?
Can there be a man without debt or a coral without a hole?
This proverb suggests that just as it is natural for a piece of coral to have a small hole or imperfection, it is almost impossible for a common person to go through life without incurring some form of debt or liability. It is used to express that being in debt is a common human condition or that nothing is perfectly flawless.
పెద్దలు లేని ఇల్లు, సిద్ధులు లేని మఠము
peddalu leni illu, siddhulu leni mathamu
A house without elders is like a monastery without enlightened souls.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of elders in a family. Just as a monastery requires experienced spiritual masters (Siddhas) to maintain discipline and guidance, a household needs the wisdom and experience of elders to function properly and maintain traditions.
మతిలేని మాట, శృతిలేని పాట
matileni mata, shritileni pata
A mindless word, a tuneless song.
This expression is used to describe something that lacks sense, logic, or harmony. Just as a song without a proper scale (shruti) is unpleasant to hear, words spoken without thought or intelligence are useless and irritating. It is often used to dismiss nonsensical arguments or irrelevant chatter.
శ్రుతిలేని పాట - సమ్మతి లేని మాట
shrutileni pata - sammati leni mata
A song without melody - A word without consent
This expression highlights that just as a song is unpleasant to hear without the proper tune or pitch (shruti), a conversation or proposal is useless and ineffective without the agreement or willingness of the listener. It is used to emphasize that forcing an opinion or singing out of tune both result in a lack of harmony.
ఉల్లిలేని కూర, పప్పులేని పెళ్ళి.
ullileni kura, pappuleni pelli.
Curry without onion is like a wedding without dal.
This proverb is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks a fundamental ingredient. In Telugu cuisine and culture, onions are essential for taste in curries, and serving dal is a basic requirement for a wedding feast. It highlights that certain elements are indispensable for an experience or task to be satisfactory.
అవ్వులేని మనిషి పిప్పిలేని పగడం ఉండదు
avvuleni manishi pippileni pagadam undadu
There is no human without a flaw, just as there is no coral without a pore.
This proverb highlights the reality that no human being is perfect. Just as natural coral inevitably has tiny holes or imperfections (pippi), every person has some weaknesses or faults. It is used to advise against expecting perfection from others or to encourage self-acceptance of one's own limitations.
చింతలేని అంబలి చారెడే చాలు
chintaleni ambali charede chalu
A handful of porridge without worries is enough.
This proverb emphasizes that peace of mind is far more valuable than wealth or luxury. It suggests that a simple meal (ambali) eaten in tranquility is better than a feast consumed in stress or anxiety. It is used to express contentment with a modest but peaceful life.
ముడ్డి ముఖము లేని బిడ్డ, మొదలు లేని పాట.
muddi mukhamu leni bidda, modalu leni pata.
A child without face or posteriors, a song without beginning.
This expression is used to describe something that lacks structure, logic, or a clear purpose. It refers to a situation, story, or task that is disorganized, incoherent, and makes no sense from the start to the end.
నీరులేని పైరు, నూనెలేని ఒత్తి
niruleni pairu, nuneleni otti
A crop without water, a wick without oil.
This expression is used to describe a situation or person that is completely helpless, weak, or nearing their end because they lack the essential support or resources needed to survive. Just as a crop cannot grow without water and a lamp cannot burn without oil, a person or project cannot succeed without basic necessities.