పల్లంవైపుకే నీళ్లు పారేది
pallamvaipuke nillu paredi
Water only flows towards the slope.
This proverb means that resources, benefits, or problems naturally gravitate towards a specific direction or towards those who are already in a certain position. It is often used to suggest that money flows to the rich, or that consequences naturally follow a specific path based on existing conditions.
Related Phrases
మాదిగ మంచానికి కాళ్లవైపూ తలవైపూ ఒకటే
madiga manchaniki kallavaipu talavaipu okate
The head and the foot of a cobbler's bed are alike. Said of an unprincipled sensualist.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no distinction between the beginning and the end, or when someone is so disorganized or indifferent that they do not differentiate between important and unimportant things. Historically, it refers to a simple rope cot (charpai) where both ends are woven identically, lacking the traditional headboard distinction, symbolizing a lack of hierarchy or order.
* Nañ me pago do amigo, que come o seu sô, e o meu oximo. † Le feste sono bella a casa d'altr.
కత్తికన్న కలం గొప్పది
kattikanna kalam goppadi
The pen is mightier than the sword
This expression emphasizes that the power of writing and intellectual influence is far more effective and enduring than physical force or violence. It is used to highlight the importance of diplomacy, literature, and legal action over military power.
ఏట్లో పారే నీళ్లు ఎవరు తాగితే ఏమి?
etlo pare nillu evaru tagite emi?
What matters it who drinks the water flowing in the river?
This proverb is used to describe resources that are abundant, public, or inexhaustible. It implies that when something is available in plenty for everyone, one shouldn't be stingy, jealous, or concerned about who else is utilizing it. It is often cited to suggest that communal or natural wealth belongs to all.
A right common to all.
పల్లము ఉన్న చోటనే నీళ్లు నిలుస్తాయి
pallamu unna chotane nillu nilustayi
Water lies in the low ground.
This proverb suggests that opportunities, wealth, or help naturally gravitate toward those who are humble or those who have a genuine need. It is often used to imply that benefits flow to the deserving and well-prepared, or that good things settle where there is a receptive and grounded environment.
Truth will out at last.
కత్తివాణా? కలంవాణా?
kattivana? kalamvana?
Is the sword sharp or the pen ?
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' It is used to provoke a debate or emphasize that intellectual power and writing can have a more significant and lasting impact on society than physical force or violence.
The pen in the hand of the strong is more powerful than the sword. A goose-quill is more dangerous than a lion's claw.
అల్లుడి కత్తికి రెండువైపులా పదునైతే, అతని అప్పకు ఆరువైపులా పదును.
alludi kattiki renduvaipula padunaite, atani appaku aruvaipula padunu.
If the son-in-law's sword is sharp on two sides, his sister's sword is sharp on six sides.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person is clever or troublesome, but their close associate or relative is even more cunning or difficult to deal with. It highlights a hierarchy of shrewdness or mischief within a group.
మాదిగ మంచానికి కాళ్ళవైపూ, తలవైపూ ఒకటే.
madiga manchaniki kallavaipu, talavaipu okate.
For a cobbler's cot, the foot side and the head side are the same.
This proverb describes a state of complete symmetry, equality, or sometimes, a lack of standards where distinctions are not made. It is used to refer to situations where there is no difference between the beginning and the end, or where things are handled with total indifference to traditional order or hierarchy.
ఏట్లో పారే నీళ్ళు ఎవరు తాగితేనేం
etlo pare nillu evaru tagitenem
What does it matter who drinks the water flowing in the river?
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an abundant or public resource available, and one shouldn't be stingy or possessive about it. It implies that when something is plenty and free-flowing (like river water), it doesn't cost the provider anything if someone else uses or benefits from it.
రోలుకు ఒకవైపు, మద్దెలకి ఇరువైపులా దెబ్బలు.
roluku okavaipu, maddelaki iruvaipula debbalu.
The mortar gets hit on one side, but the drum gets hit on both sides.
This proverb describes a situation where one person suffers more trouble or pressure than another. It is used to express that while everyone faces difficulties, some people are caught in the middle and endure hardship from all directions simultaneously.
పాపం ఉంటే భయం, పల్లం ఉంటే నీళ్లు
papam unte bhayam, pallam unte nillu
Where there is sin there will be fear, where there is low ground there will be water.
This proverb highlights natural consequences. Just as water naturally flows and settles in low-lying areas (slopes), guilt or fear naturally follows a person who has committed a wrong act. It is used to describe how a guilty conscience is always fearful of being caught or punished.