రాతికట్ట పంట చెరువుకు గాక గండి గుంటకేల?

ratikatta panta cheruvuku gaka gandi guntakela?

Translation

Why should a stone embankment serve a breach or a pit instead of a crop-yielding lake?

Meaning

This proverb is used to say that resources, hard work, or benefits should go to those who are productive or deserving, rather than being wasted on useless or destructive entities. It emphasizes that valuable assets should serve a greater, fruitful purpose.

Related Phrases

A hard field and donkey's milk

This proverb is used to describe a situation that is completely useless or yields no benefit despite hard work. Just as a hard, barren field produces no crop and a donkey's milk is generally not consumed, it refers to a wasted effort or a lost cause where the resources and results are both worthless.

One should live close to a lake and far from relatives.

This proverb highlights the importance of being near essential resources (like water) for survival while maintaining a healthy distance from relatives to avoid unnecessary conflicts, gossip, or dependence that can arise from over-familiarity.

Dryness is a secret, but the harvest is a public announcement.

This proverb suggests that while a farmer's struggles or the initial dry conditions of the soil might be kept private, the eventual success (or failure) of the harvest is visible to everyone in the village. It is used to imply that results eventually reveal the truth of one's efforts.

The village is full of relations, but there is no place to hang up the sling (i. e. no shelter). Give out that you have many friends, and believe that you have but few. (French.)

This expression describes a situation where one has many connections or resources in theory, but none of them are available or useful when needed. It is used to highlight the irony of having many relatives or friends who do not offer actual help or hospitality during a crisis.

If you have no work, go to the farmer's house; they will even find a task for the pillar of the porch.

This proverb highlights that for someone who is hardworking or in a busy environment, there is never a shortage of work. It is used to suggest that if one is truly looking for employment or something to do, there are always tasks available—even seemingly impossible or trivial ones—provided one is willing to look in the right places.

As big as the tree is, so much is the wind.

This proverb suggests that responsibilities, problems, or rewards are proportional to one's stature, status, or capacity. For example, a larger business faces bigger risks, or a person with a high income has higher expenses.

Why give a poet's bridle to a donkey instead of a noble horse?

This proverb is used to suggest that valuable things, refined arts, or positions of honor should be given to those who have the grace, talent, or merit to appreciate them. Giving something sophisticated or precious to someone ignorant or unworthy is a waste, much like putting a decorative bridle meant for a noble steed on a common donkey.

Like harrowing a field of stones. A foolish exploit.

This expression describes a situation where one is trying to perform a task in extremely unfavorable or difficult conditions. Just as a harrow (a farming tool) cannot move smoothly or effectively in a stony field, it signifies effort that is constantly interrupted, noisy, or yielding poor results due to the environment or circumstances.

For as much light, there is that much darkness.

This expression is used to convey that every great success or positive situation often comes with an equivalent amount of hidden struggle, failure, or negative aspects. It emphasizes the balance between prosperity and adversity.

Like people of the ash-pit going to the lotus-pond, and people of the lotus-pond going to the ash-pit.

This expression refers to a situation where two parties exchange places or switch roles, often resulting in both being out of their natural or comfortable element. It describes an unnecessary or mismatched swap where the change doesn't benefit either side, similar to 'the grass is always greener' mentality leading to poor decisions.