పెట్టిన పెళ్ళి గోరు, పెట్టకున్న చావు గోరు.
pettina pelli goru, pettakunna chavu goru.
If you give, it is like a wedding nail; if you don't, it is like a death nail.
This proverb highlights the extreme nature of certain relationships or situations where every action is scrutinized. It suggests that if someone provides help or a gift, it is celebrated with the importance of a wedding ritual (symbolized by the ceremonial parani/nail decoration), but if they fail to provide, it is treated as a grave offense or a bad omen, similar to a death ritual. It is used to describe demanding people who are never satisfied or situations with high stakes and no room for error.
Related Phrases
పలుచన పాతళ్ళు కోరు, ఒత్తు వాములు కోరు
paluchana patallu koru, ottu vamulu koru
Thinly spread pits are desired; thick haystacks are desired.
This is an agricultural proverb related to paddy cultivation. It suggests that when storing grain in underground pits (pathallu), it should be spread thinly to prevent spoilage or heat. Conversely, when stacking hay (vamulu), it should be packed tightly and thickly to ensure stability and space efficiency. It is used to describe the principle of doing the right thing in the right way according to the context.
కుజనుడౌ వైద్యుండు ప్రజకు రోగముగోరు, సామాన్య విప్రుండు చావు గోరు
kujanudau vaidyundu prajaku rogamugoru, samanya viprundu chavu goru
A wicked doctor wishes for people's illness; an ordinary priest wishes for their death.
This proverb highlights how some people profit from the misfortunes of others. A corrupt physician desires people to be sick so they can earn money from treatment, while a greedy priest might wish for a death to earn fees from conducting funeral rites. It is used to criticize those who prioritize their professional gain over human welfare.
ఆబోతు పేదల యశము గోరు.
abotu pedala yashamu goru.
A breeding bull seeks the fame of the poor.
This proverb describes a situation where an influential or powerful person tries to take credit for the achievements of the poor or lowly. It is also used when someone powerful unnecessarily exerts their dominance over those who have nothing, or when someone expects recognition from a source that cannot provide it.
అల్లుడికి పెట్టిన పెట్టు కొడుకు పెట్టి కోలుపోయిందట
alludiki pettina pettu koduku petti kolupoyindata
Investing in the son-in-law led to the loss of the investment intended for the son.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes an outsider or a distant relative over their own family, only to end up losing everything. It highlights the folly of misplaced priorities and the resulting regret when a primary responsibility is neglected for a secondary one.
జ్వరం రోగికి జున్ను పెట్టినట్లు, పగిలిన నెత్తిన వెన్న పెట్టినట్లు
jvaram rogiki junnu pettinatlu, pagilina nettina venna pettinatlu
Like giving cheese to a fever patient or putting butter on a split head.
This expression describes an act that is counterproductive, harmful, or poorly timed. Just as dairy is traditionally avoided during a fever in Ayurveda and butter won't heal a deep head wound, it refers to actions that worsen a situation despite appearing like a gesture of care or help.
కట్టిన ఇల్లు, పెట్టిన పొయ్యి
kattina illu, pettina poyyi
A house already built, a stove already lit.
This expression describes a situation where everything is perfectly prepared and ready for immediate use without any effort from the newcomer. It is often used to describe someone who marries into a well-established, wealthy household where all comforts are already available, or a situation where one steps into a role where all the hard work has already been completed by others.
కట్టిన ఇల్లు, పెట్టిన పొయ్యి
kattina illu, pettina poyyi
A house that is already built, and a hearth that is already set up.
This expression refers to entering a situation where everything is already perfectly prepared and ready for use without any effort from the person joining. It is most commonly used in the context of a bride entering a well-established household where she does not have to struggle to set up a new life or home from scratch.
కింద పెట్టిన పంటలుండవు, పైన కురిసే వానలుండవు
kinda pettina pantalundavu, paina kurise vanalundavu
The crops planted below do not remain, and the rains from above do not fall.
This proverb is used to describe a state of extreme distress, hopelessness, or a complete failure of systems. It originally refers to agricultural drought where neither the soil yields crops nor the sky yields rain, signifying a total lack of resources or support from any direction.
పెడితే పెళ్ళి, పెట్టకపోతే పెటాకులు
pedite pelli, pettakapote petakulu
If given, it's a marriage; if not, it's shattered pieces.
This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic person who is pleasant and supportive only as long as they receive favors or benefits. If their demands are met, everything is celebrated (like a wedding); if not, they turn hostile and create trouble (represented by the sound of crackers or destruction).
మూతి పెట్టినవాడు మేత పెట్టడా?
muti pettinavadu meta pettada?
Will the one who gave the mouth not provide the fodder?
This is a popular Telugu proverb used to express faith in divine providence or nature. It implies that the creator who gave life to a creature will also provide the necessary means for its sustenance. It is often said to reassure someone who is worried about their future or survival, suggesting that basic needs will inevitably be met.