రూకలేని వాడు పోక చేయలేడు.

rukaleni vadu poka cheyaledu.

Translation

A person without a coin cannot even buy a betel nut.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the importance of money for even the smallest tasks or necessities. It suggests that without financial resources, one's ability to act or progress in the world is severely limited, emphasizing that money is a fundamental requirement for basic transactions.

Related Phrases

Even a King cannot do anything once a matter goes to the public square.

This expression suggests that once a secret or a private dispute becomes public knowledge (reaches the 'raccha' or village square), the damage to one's reputation is irreversible and even the most powerful person cannot suppress it or protect the person involved from social judgment.

One without a bag gets no alms, one without a pure mind gets no salvation.

This proverb emphasizes that preparation and intention are necessary for results. Just as a beggar cannot receive charity without a container to hold it, a person cannot achieve spiritual liberation or success without the right mindset and sincerity. It is often used to highlight that internal readiness is as important as external effort.

For the woman who doesn't want to work, her hands are always full of work.

This proverb is used to describe people who are lazy or unwilling to work, but constantly complain about having too much to do as an excuse to avoid their responsibilities. It highlights how someone can make themselves appear busy just to escape actual productivity.

O person with no hurry, go ahead and start a school

This proverb is used to sarcastically remark on how much patience is required to run a school or teach children. It implies that if someone has an abundance of time or patience, they should try managing a school to truly test it. It is often used when someone is being overly slow or indifferent to time.

A bird without wings, a star without a tail.

This is a popular Telugu riddle (podiupu katha) used to describe a kite. The expression highlights something that flies in the sky like a bird but lacks wings, and moves like a shooting star or comet but lacks a fixed tail, relying instead on a string. In a metaphorical sense, it can describe someone who is trying to achieve something great while lacking the fundamental tools or autonomy required for it.

The odor without children, the flood without rain.

This proverb is used to describe things that are unnatural, inexplicable, or lacking their primary cause. It refers to a situation where a result is seen without its source, often used to highlight something that feels incomplete, artificial, or suspicious.

Jewelry without lac, meat without bone.

This proverb is used to describe things that are of the highest quality, pure, and without any flaws or unnecessary fillers. Just as pure gold jewelry without lac (wax filler) is more valuable and pure meat without bone is more desirable, this expression refers to something that is perfect and substantial in its own right.

The village can do nothing to a person who remains silent.

This expression emphasizes the power of silence and patience. It suggests that if a person remains calm, avoids unnecessary arguments, and stays silent during a conflict, even an entire community or a large group cannot harm them or provoke them into trouble. It is often used to advise someone to stay quiet to avoid escalating a situation.

Troops without a leader.

This expression refers to a group of people or an organization that lacks a leader, authority, or disciplined guidance. It describes a situation where there is no one in control, often leading to chaos, lack of direction, or ineffective action. It is commonly used to critique groups that are unorganized or acting without coordination.

* Tyv teenker Hvermand stiacler.

A man without money is not worth an areca nut. A man without money is a bow without an arrow. Who has not, is not. (Italian.)

This proverb highlights the importance of financial resources even for the smallest tasks. 'Rooka' refers to a small coin or money, and 'Poka' refers to a betel nut. It means that without basic capital or money, one cannot initiate any business or fulfill even minor needs.