సంతోషం లేనిదే బలం లేదు, ధైర్యం లేదు.

santosham lenide balam ledu, dhairyam ledu.

Translation

Without happiness, there is neither strength nor courage.

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that true physical or mental strength and bravery stem from inner joy. It is used to suggest that a person's capability and resilience are diminished when they are unhappy or depressed.

Related Phrases

There is no light like the eye, and no support like the earth.

This proverb highlights fundamental truths of existence. It means that physical sight (the eye) is the ultimate source of enlightenment/perception for an individual, and the earth (soil) is the ultimate foundation that sustains all life. It is used to emphasize the importance of vision and the basic necessity of nature.

Without a bribe, one cannot even get onto the bed.

This expression is used to highlight extreme corruption. It suggests that nothing, even the most basic or essential action, can be accomplished without paying a bribe. It is typically used when criticizing a system where illegal gratification has become mandatory for every step of a process.

There is no loss for a soldier without self-respect and a king without a mustache.

This proverb highlights the importance of honor and dignity. Just as a mustache was traditionally seen as a symbol of authority for a king, self-respect (rosham) is essential for a soldier. If they lack these qualities, they have nothing left to lose because they have already lost their status and dignity in the eyes of society.

Greed has no end, sleep has no comfort.

This proverb highlights the restless nature of excessive desire. It means that there is no limit to human ambition or greed, and a person consumed by constant cravings can never find peace of mind or restful sleep. It is used to describe someone who is never satisfied with what they have.

There is no place without an end, and no beginning without an origin.

This philosophical expression emphasizes the cyclical and interconnected nature of existence. It suggests that everything that exists occupies space and must eventually conclude, and every start has a preceding cause or source. It is used to describe the continuity of life, the laws of nature, or the inevitability of consequences based on origins.

Happiness needs no excuse, and thoughts have no end.

This proverb suggests that one doesn't need a specific reason to be happy; it is a state of mind. Conversely, it highlights that the human mind is prone to endless worrying or overthinking, implying that while joy is spontaneous, anxiety can be a never-ending cycle if not controlled.

Without a profit, the merchant will not step into the flood.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely calculating and profit-oriented. It suggests that certain individuals will never take a risk or perform an action unless they are guaranteed a personal gain or benefit. It is used to mock someone's stinginess or their habit of never doing anything out of pure altruism.

A king without courage, a minister without planning.

This expression highlights the failure of leadership and administration. It describes a situation where those in power are ineffective because the leader lacks the bravery to take action and the advisor lacks the wisdom or foresight to provide proper guidance. It is used to describe a team or organization destined for failure due to incompetence at the top.

Being joyful is half one’s strength.

This is to suggest that one should be joyful, especially in unfavourable circumstances. That is the way to draw strength from even adverse circumstances.

If Sita was not born, there would be no Ramayana; if Krishna was not born, there would be no Mahabharata.

This expression highlights the significance of central characters or fundamental causes. It is used to explain that without a specific key person or event, a whole series of subsequent actions or a great story would never have unfolded. It emphasizes that certain individuals are the soul of the narratives they belong to.