పుట్టెడాముదము పట్టించుకొని పొర్లాడినా అంటేదే అంటును గాని అంటనిది అంటదు
puttedamudamu pattinchukoni porladina antede antunu gani antanidi antadu
Although a man besmear himself with a Puṭṭi of castor oil and roll [ among the grain ] only what sticks, will stick to him, what does not, won't.
This proverb emphasizes fatalism or destiny. It suggests that despite extreme efforts or preparations (represented by rubbing oil and rolling), a person can only gain what is fated for them. It is used to describe situations where results are dictated by luck or destiny rather than just hard work.
A Puṭṭi is 500 lbs. A man can only obtain that which his destiny has prepared for him. Every man hath his lot. No butter will stick to his bread.
Related Phrases
ఆత్మా రావే నూతపడుదాము అంటే, ఆదివారము రోజున అందరమూ పడుదాము అన్నదట
atma rave nutapadudamu ante, adivaramu rojuna andaramu padudamu annadata
When he thought of putting an end to himself, his soul said within him "Let us wait until Sunday and all drown together." The word "All" refers to the elements of which man is composed.
This proverb highlights procrastination or the tendency to delay an unpleasant or difficult task by suggesting a later time or involving more people to avoid immediate action. It is used to mock someone who makes excuses or tries to turn a personal responsibility into a group event to stall for time.
Sunday is a propitious day. Judge well before you act. Consideration is the parent of wisdom.
గంత కట్టేదా బసవన్నా అంటే ఉహూ అని, గుగ్గిళ్ళు తింటావా అంటే ఆహా అన్నదట
ganta katteda basavanna ante uhu ani, guggillu tintava ante aha annadata
When asked 'Shall I tie a blindfold, Basavanna?', he said 'No', but when asked 'Will you eat boiled grains?', he said 'Yes'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids hard work or responsibility but is the first one to show up for benefits or food. It highlights opportunism and laziness.
అవ్వను పట్టుకొని వసంతాలాడినట్టు
avvanu pattukoni vasantaladinattu
Like playing games with your grand-mother. Lit. "Throwing scarlet water over her," a sport among young people as marriages, &c.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone behaves in a frivolous or playful manner with a person who deserves respect and dignity due to their age or stature. It highlights actions that are out of place or cross the boundaries of social etiquette.
Disrespectful and unseemly conduct towards elderly people.
మూలము అంటే, నిర్మూలము అంటాడు.
mulamu ante, nirmulamu antadu.
When one said "root" the other said "rot." One attempted to explain, the other pooh poohed him.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely argumentative, contrary, or perverse. When one person suggests a basic starting point or a cause (root), the other person immediately suggests destroying it or going to the opposite extreme just to be difficult.
ఏతి అంటే ప్రీతి అంటాడు
eti ante priti antadu
When one says he's going, the other says he's dying.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely agreeable, a sycophant, or someone who blindly agrees with whatever another person says just to please them, often without thinking or having an original opinion. It suggests a 'yes-man' attitude where the person simply rhymes along with the speaker's words.
Spirit of contradiction.
దూడ అంత దుఃఖము, పాడి అంత సుఖము లేదు.
duda anta duhkhamu, padi anta sukhamu ledu.
There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.
ఇంటివాడు గొడ్డుగేదె అంటే, పొరుగువాడు పాడిగేదె అన్నట్టు.
intivadu goddugede ante, poruguvadu padigede annattu.
When the owner said his she-buffalo was barren, the neigh- bour said it was milch. Applied to a spirit of contradiction.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an outsider or neighbor contradicts the owner's first-hand knowledge with baseless or overly optimistic claims. It highlights the tendency of people to comment or give unsolicited advice on matters they don't fully understand, often being more stubborn about the facts than the person directly involved in the situation.
అంటనప్పుడు ఆముదం రాసుకున్నా అంటదు
antanappudu amudam rasukunna antadu
If it is not meant to stick, it won't stick even if you apply castor oil.
This proverb is used to describe a state of detachment or bad luck where things simply don't fall into place despite effort. It implies that when circumstances are not favorable or when one's destiny is not aligned, no amount of 'lubrication' or extra effort can force a result. It is often used to describe someone who remains unaffected by situations or someone whose efforts are yielding no results due to bad timing.
చీడ అంటుతుందేగాని సిరి అంటదు
chida antutundegani siri antadu
Pests (bad luck) are contagious, but wealth (good luck) is not.
This proverb is used to explain that misfortune, bad habits, or diseases spread easily from person to person, whereas prosperity, wealth, or good fortune do not transfer as easily. It highlights the difficulty of attaining success compared to the ease of falling into trouble.
తరి అంటే వరి అంటారు.
tari ante vari antaru.
If you say 'wet land', they say 'paddy'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a very obvious or redundant statement. Since paddy is the primary crop grown on wet lands (tari), saying 'paddy' when 'wet land' is mentioned is an unnecessary clarification of the obvious.