రోలు వెళ్ళి మద్దెలతో మొరపెట్టుకున్నట్లు
rolu velli maddelato morapettukunnatlu
Like the mortar going to the drum to complain about its woes
This expression is used when a person who is already suffering seeks help or sympathy from someone who is suffering even more. While a mortar (rolu) is hit on one side, a drum (maddela) is beaten on both sides, implying that the person being approached has more troubles than the one complaining.
Related Phrases
సూదేటుగాణ్ణి, సుత్తేటుగాణ్ణి, కండేటుగాణ్ణి నమ్మకూడదు.
sudetuganni, suttetuganni, kandetuganni nammakudadu.
Do not trust the needle-worker, the hammer-worker, or the weaver.
This is a traditional proverb highlighting a belief that certain professions (tailors, blacksmiths/goldsmiths, and weavers) are prone to delaying work or withholding material. It suggests being cautious with their promises regarding deadlines and material honesty.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu
Hunger knows no taste, sleep knows no comfort.
When someone is truly hungry, they don't care about the taste or quality of the food; they just want to eat. Similarly, when someone is exhausted and needs sleep, they don't care about the comfort or luxury of the bed; they can sleep anywhere. This expression is used to highlight that basic survival needs override preferences or luxuries.
ఆశ సిగ్గు ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు
asha siggu erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu
Desire knows no shame, and sleep knows no comfort.
This proverb highlights two human tendencies: when a person is consumed by strong desire or greed, they lose their sense of dignity or shame to achieve what they want. Similarly, when a person is extremely tired or sleepy, they do not care about the quality of the bed or surroundings; they can fall asleep anywhere regardless of comfort.
త్రోవ దొరతనమెరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు.
trova doratanamerugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu.
The road does not know authority; sleep does not know luxury.
This proverb highlights that certain natural states or circumstances are indifferent to status or comfort. Traveling on a road requires effort regardless of one's social standing (authority), and when a person is truly exhausted, they will fall asleep regardless of how comfortable the bed is.
చిక్కినవాడు సిగ్గెరుగడు, బలసినవాడు వావి ఎరుగడు
chikkinavadu siggerugadu, balasinavadu vavi erugadu
The person who is thin (destitute) knows no shame, and the one who is fat (arrogant/powerful) knows no relationship.
This proverb describes how extreme circumstances change human behavior. A person who is starving or in desperate poverty loses their sense of shame because survival becomes their only priority. Conversely, a person who is blinded by wealth, power, or arrogance often ignores social boundaries, ethics, and family ties (kinship). It is used to comment on how desperation and vanity can both erode a person's character.
రోలు కరువు ఎరుగదు
rolu karuvu erugadu
The rice mortar feels not the famine.
This proverb is used to describe something that remains busy or functional regardless of the external situation. Just as a mortar is used to grind grain even during a famine (to process whatever little food is available), certain people or systems continue their routine or extraction despite the hardships around them.
Some grain or other is always pounded in it. Said of a person who is exempted by his position from the loss which falls upon others, or of one who escapes a general misfortune.
గుడ్డి గుణం ఎరుగదు, వడ్డి మొన ఎరుగదు
guddi gunam erugadu, vaddi mona erugadu
Blindness knows no quality; interest (usury) knows no tip (limit).
This proverb highlights two relentless or indifferent states. Just as a blind person cannot perceive the quality or beauty of something, a moneylender or the concept of interest (interest on debt) is indifferent to the struggles of the debtor and only cares about accumulation. It is used to describe situations where someone acts without empathy or when a burden keeps growing regardless of the circumstances.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు, వలపు సిగ్గెరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu, valapu siggerugadu
Hunger doesn't know taste, sleep doesn't know comfort, and love doesn't know shame.
This proverb highlights how basic instincts and strong emotions override physical conditions or social norms. When a person is extremely hungry, they don't care about the taste of the food; when extremely tired, they don't need a soft bed; and when in love, they lose their sense of inhibition or shame.
రోషానికి రోలు మెడను కట్టుకున్నట్లు.
roshaniki rolu medanu kattukunnatlu.
Like tying a stone mortar around one's neck out of pride or spite.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by ego, pride, or stubbornness, takes an action that only causes them self-harm or creates an unnecessary burden. It highlights the foolishness of letting one's emotions lead to a decision that is difficult to sustain or carries heavy consequences.
నీతి కాని మాట రాతి వేటు.
niti kani mata rati vetu.
An unjust word is the throwing of a stone.
This expression emphasizes the power and consequence of words. It suggests that saying something immoral, dishonest, or unjust can be as physically and emotionally damaging as being hit by a heavy stone. It is used to caution people to speak with integrity and think before they speak, as hurtful or unethical words leave lasting scars.