పొరుగూరును నమ్ముకోగాక పొద్దుమునగా పండుకోబాక.
porugurunu nammukogaka poddumunaga pandukobaka.
Do not rely on a neighboring village and do not sleep exactly at sunset.
This proverb advises self-reliance and discipline. It warns against depending on others (the neighboring village) for your needs and discourages laziness or sleeping during the transitional period of dusk (sunset), which is traditionally considered an inauspicious or unproductive time.
Related Phrases
ఓటితెప్పను నమ్ముకొని ఏట్లో దిగినట్లు
otiteppanu nammukoni etlo diginatlu
Like trusting a leaky raft and entering a river.
This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a faulty, weak, or unreliable person or thing to complete a difficult task. It highlights the foolishness of placing one's trust in something that is certain to fail, leading to inevitable disaster.
పోరు చాలక పొయ్యి దగ్గర పడుకుంటే, బొంత కాలిపోయె నారాయణా!
poru chalaka poyyi daggara padukunte, bonta kalipoye narayana!
Unable to bear the cold, when one slept near the hearth, the quilt caught fire, Oh Narayana!
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape a minor problem or discomfort, ends up facing a much bigger disaster or loss. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
బూరుగు పండును నమ్ముకొనిన చిలుకకు దూదే దక్కినట్లు
burugu pandunu nammukonina chilukaku dude dakkinatlu
Like a parrot that relied on a silk-cotton fruit only to find cotton inside.
This proverb describes ultimate disappointment or the fruitlessness of high expectations. A parrot expects a silk-cotton (Burugu) fruit to be sweet and juicy, but when it ripens and bursts, only dry, inedible cotton remains. It is used when someone puts a lot of hope into something that appears promising but turns out to be useless or empty in the end.
పొరుగూరికి పోతే పోతుందా పాపం?
poruguriki pote potunda papam?
Will your sins vanish if you go to a neighboring village?
This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions or their internal guilt simply by changing their location. Physical movement doesn't provide moral absolution. It is used to point out that a person's problems or character flaws follow them wherever they go.
చెయ్యి దాచుకోగలం గానీ కులం దాచుకోగలమా?
cheyyi dachukogalam gani kulam dachukogalama?
We can hide our hand, but can we hide our caste?
This proverb suggests that while physical actions or temporary secrets can be concealed, one's fundamental identity, heritage, or true nature will eventually become apparent to society. It is often used to imply that some truths are too deeply rooted to remain hidden forever.
అప్పులవాడిని నమ్ముకొని అంగడికిపోరాదు, మిండణ్ణి నమ్ముకొని జాతరకుపోరాదు.
appulavadini nammukoni angadikiporadu, mindanni nammukoni jatarakuporadu.
Do not go to the market relying on a debtor, and do not go to a festival relying on a lover.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and the danger of depending on unreliable sources. Relying on someone who owes you money (a debtor) to fund your shopping at a market is risky as they may fail to pay. Similarly, relying on a secret lover for protection or company at a public fair is unwise as their commitment is often unstable or hidden. It serves as a warning against putting one's trust in people who lack accountability or official obligation.
తాను దొంగైతే, ఇరుగు పొరుగును నమ్మడు.
tanu dongaite, irugu porugunu nammadu.
If one is a thief themselves, they won't trust their neighbors.
This proverb describes a person who, due to their own dishonest nature or bad habits, projects those same qualities onto others. It is used to describe someone who is overly suspicious of others because they know their own faults. It is similar to the English expression 'a thief thinks everyone steals'.
నా మాట నమ్ముకోకు, నాలుగెడ్లమ్ముకోకు
na mata nammukoku, nalugedlammukoku
Don't trust my word, and don't sell your four oxen.
This proverb is a warning against taking impulsive or drastic actions based on someone else's unreliable promises or casual advice. In an agrarian context, selling one's oxen means losing one's livelihood; therefore, it advises one to be cautious and self-reliant rather than blindly following others' words and risking total ruin.
నమ్మిన ఇమ్ము నమ్ముకున్న అమ్ము.
nammina immu nammukunna ammu.
If you believe, give; if you have believed, sell.
This proverb highlights the importance of trust and caution in trade and relationships. It suggests that if you trust someone, you can extend credit or give goods, but once a transaction or commitment is made based on that trust, one must ensure it is fulfilled (or sold) to maintain the integrity of the deal.
నన్ను నమ్ము నారాయణ అంటే నక్కను నమ్ముతా అన్నాడట
nannu nammu narayana ante nakkanu nammuta annadata
When said 'Trust me, Narayana', he replied 'I would rather trust a fox'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has so little faith in a particular person that they would rather trust a notoriously cunning or deceitful entity (like a fox) instead. It highlights extreme distrust or the irony of someone untrustworthy asking for faith.