తల్లి అయినా ఏడవనిదే పాలు ఇవ్వదు
talli ayina edavanide palu ivvadu
Unless the child cries, even the mother will not give it suck. Nothing is got without asking. Lose nothing for asking. Asking costs little. (Italian.)?
This proverb is used to convey that one must ask or voice their needs to get what they want. In this world, even those who love you most might not realize your requirements unless you express them or struggle for them.
Related Phrases
బ్రహ్మ రాసిన వ్రాతలకు ఏడవనా, రాగల సంకటికి ఏడవనా
brahma rasina vratalaku edavana, ragala sankatiki edavana
Am I to weep on account of the writing written by Brahmâ? Am I to weep on account of the coming Sankaṭi ?
This proverb describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by both long-term destiny/misfortunes and immediate, practical hardships. It is used when someone is burdened by multiple problems at once, questioning whether to lament their overall bad luck or the specific, difficult tasks immediately in front of them.
Sankaṭi is a coarse porridge generally made with Çoḷḷu ( Eleusine Coracana ) commonly called Râgi.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా, మట్టి పిల్లి అయినా, ఎలుకను పట్టినదే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina, matti pilli ayina, elukanu pattinade pilli
A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.
తల్లి అయినా ఏడవందే పాలివ్వదు
talli ayina edavande palivvadu
Even a mother will not give milk unless the baby cries.
This proverb is used to explain that nothing is achieved or gained without asking or putting in the necessary effort. Even those who care for you most may not fulfill your needs unless you express them. It is commonly used to motivate someone to speak up for their rights or requirements.
దొంగల తల్లికి ఏడవ భయం.
dongala talliki edava bhayam.
A robber's mother fears to weep. When her son is caught. A person will suffer rather than criminate or bring shame upon himself.
This proverb describes a situation where someone involved in a wrongdoing or associated with wrongdoers cannot express their grief or problems openly for fear of exposing the truth. It signifies the hidden suffering and constant fear of consequences that come with illegal or unethical actions.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He will neither allow me to die nor to live. Perpetual worrying.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or troublesome. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of perpetual misery or limbo, where they are neither allowed to move on nor allowed to live in peace.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
పాము చావకూడదు, బడితె విరగకూడదు
pamu chavakudadu, badite viragakudadu
He won't allow the snake to die, and he won't allow the stick to be broken.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one seeks a diplomatic or clever solution to a problem that resolves the issue without causing loss, damage, or hurting any parties involved. It refers to maintaining a delicate balance or handling a conflict so skillfully that the task is accomplished without any negative consequences.
Applied to a trimmer.
ఆకలి అయినవాడు ధర చెడగొడతాడు
akali ayinavadu dhara chedagodatadu
A hungry man will ruin the price
This expression suggests that someone in desperate need (hungry) will pay any price or settle for any deal regardless of its fairness or market value just to satisfy their immediate necessity. In a broader sense, it implies that desperation leads to poor negotiation and can disrupt market standards.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He neither lets one die nor lets one live.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or harassing. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of constant misery, preventing them from progressing or finding peace, yet not letting them completely abandon the situation.