పుచ్చిన మిరియాలయినా, జొన్నలకు సరి తూగక పోవు.
puchchina miriyalayina, jonnalaku sari tugaka povu.
Though the pepper be worm eaten, it will weigh as much as the millet. A brave spirit under adverse circumstances.
This proverb highlights the inherent value of quality or status. It means that something of high intrinsic value (like pepper), even when it is damaged or old, is still superior or more valuable than a common item (like millet) in its best form. It is used to describe people of great character or talent whose worth remains high despite setbacks.
Related Phrases
బొంకరా బొంకరా పోలిగా అంటే, టంగుటూరి మిరియాలు తాటికాయలంతేసి అన్నాడట
bonkara bonkara poliga ante, tanguturi miriyalu tatikayalantesi annadata
"Go on with your lies Pôliga," said one, "The Ṭanguṭûru pepper is as big as Palmyra fruit," he replied.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, when given the freedom to lie or exaggerate, does so in such an absurd and unbelievable manner that it loses all credibility. It is used to mock people who make outrageous claims or tell tall tales without any sense of proportion.
He may lie boldly who comes from afar. ( French. ) * A beau mantir qui vient de lois.
పుచ్చిన వంకాయలు బాపనయ్యలకు
puchchina vankayalu bapanayyalaku
The rotten brinjals to the Brahmans.
This proverb is used to describe a stingy or hypocritical attitude where people donate or give away only useless, damaged, or spoiled items to others (traditionally referring to priests in this context) while keeping the good ones for themselves. It highlights the tendency to offer charity only when the item is of no value to the giver.
టంగుటూరి మిరియాలు తాళం మిరియాలు
tanguturi miriyalu talam miriyalu
Tanguturu black peppers are long peppers.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes an obvious or redundant statement, or when a person boasts about something common as if it were special. It is often used to mock someone who tries to sound wise by stating the obvious or using wordplay that leads back to the same point.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
సరాలకు ముత్యాలు గీతాలకు సరాలు
saralaku mutyalu gitalaku saralu
Pearls for the strings and strings for the lines.
This poetic expression is used to describe exceptionally beautiful handwriting. It suggests that the letters are as perfect and precious as pearls on a string, and the lines themselves are as elegant as a necklace. It is typically used as a high compliment for neat and artistic penmanship.
పది చాలు పత్తికి, ఏడు చాలు జొన్నకు
padi chalu pattiki, edu chalu jonnaku
Ten furrows for cotton, seven furrows for sorghum.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb from Andhra Pradesh. It specifies the ideal number of times a field should be ploughed for specific crops to ensure a good harvest. It highlights the importance of soil preparation, suggesting that cotton requires more intensive tilling (ten times) compared to sorghum (seven times).
ఎంత తిరిగినా మిరియాలు జొన్నలకు సరిపోవు
enta tirigina miriyalu jonnalaku saripovu
No matter how much they are ground, black peppers will never equal the quantity of sorghum (jowar).
This proverb is used to explain that quality and quantity are different things. It signifies that expensive or high-quality items (like pepper) are usually available in small quantities, whereas common items (like sorghum) are found in bulk. It is also used to suggest that even a great amount of effort or concentration cannot change the inherent nature or scale of something.
దండుగకు రూపాయీలూ, తద్దినానకు కూరలూ పోగు కాకుండా పోవు.
dandugaku rupayilu, taddinanaku kuralu pogu kakunda povu.
Rupees to meet the exorbitant demands of Government, and vegetables for the annual ceremony of a deceased relative are never wanting. Foolishly giving aid in matters which bring no personal profit.
This proverb suggests that when a situation is unavoidable or mandatory—whether it's an unwelcome expense like a fine or a social obligation like a funeral—resources somehow manifest themselves out of necessity. It is used to point out that despite complaints of scarcity, people find a way to manage when they have no other choice.
చేసిన పాపాలకు పెట్టిన దీపాలకు సరి
chesina papalaku pettina dipalaku sari
The sins committed and the lamps lit are equal.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the bad deeds or mistakes someone has committed are roughly offset or balanced out by their attempts at atonement or good deeds. It is often used sarcastically to imply that someone's superficial rituals or minor good acts are just barely covering up their significant wrongdoings, or that the accounts of good and bad have been settled.
మొగుడి తలమీద మిరియాలు నూరినట్టు
mogudi talamida miriyalu nurinattu
Like grinding pepper on the husband's head. Said of a hen pecked husband. The wife wears the breeches. The grey mare is the better horse.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being dominated, harassed, or subjected to extreme pressure and suffering by someone close to them. It typically refers to a person (often a spouse) making life very difficult for the other by exerting control or creating constant trouble.