తనకు అని తవ్వెడు తవుడు ఉంటే, ఆకటి వేళకు ఆరగించవచ్చును
tanaku ani tavvedu tavudu unte, akati velaku araginchavachchunu
If you have even a Tavva ( 1 lb. ) of bran of your own, you can eat it when you are hungry.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal savings. It means that even a small amount of resources, if owned by oneself, will be useful and provide relief during difficult times or emergencies. It suggests that having a little of your own is better than depending on others' wealth.
Store is no sore.
Related Phrases
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అంటాడు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu antadu
When they call out "Deaf man! Deaf man!" he answers "[ I've got ] Bran, Bran!"
This proverb is used to describe a complete lack of communication or a situation where two people are talking about entirely different things. It refers to a person who misunderstands what is being said due to a lack of attention or hearing, responding with something totally irrelevant. It is used in situations where there is no sync between a question and an answer.
The jingle of the Telugu words is similar to that of the English equivalents.
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అన్నట్లు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu annatlu
When one person says 'deafness, deafness', the other person says 'bran, bran'
This expression describes a situation where two people are talking at cross-purposes or failing to communicate effectively due to a misunderstanding or a lack of attention. It is used when one person's words are completely misinterpreted by another, leading to a nonsensical or irrelevant response, much like a deaf person mishearing a word and replying with something that sounds similar but has a different meaning.
తడిమి చల్లితే తవ్వెడే.
tadimi challite tavvede.
If you squeeze and scatter it, it's only a Tavva (a small measure).
This proverb is used to describe something that appears large or plentiful on the surface but is actually very small or insignificant when closely examined or compacted. It is often used to refer to people who boast or show off when they actually have very little substance, wealth, or knowledge.
అడ్డెడు తవ్వెడు బియ్యము ఇచ్చి, అమ్మా నీ ప్రసాదము అన్నట్టు
addedu tavvedu biyyamu ichchi, amma ni prasadamu annattu
Like giving [ a cook ] two and a half measures of rice and saying, " Madam, this is your gift." The cook gets four-fifths of the rice for herself, and yet she must be coaxed to cook the food. The allusion is to a traveller endeavouring to get some person to cook for him.
This proverb describes a situation where someone gives a very small or insignificant amount of their own resources to a deity or a person, but then acts as if the subsequent benefit or the entire resulting entity is a grand gift or blessing from that recipient. It is used to mock people who take credit for 'generosity' using things that were already minimal or belong to others, or those who try to claim a large spiritual or social reward for a tiny, trivial contribution.
బ్రతికి ఉంటే బలుసుకూర తిని బ్రతకవచ్చు
bratiki unte balusukura tini bratakavachchu
If I live, I can exist on Balusukûra. Balusukûra is the Canthium Parviflorum. Preferring hardship to oppression. "Submission to any necessity however grievous." (Elliot. ) What can't be cured must be endured.
This proverb emphasizes that life is the most precious thing of all. As long as a person is alive, they can find a way to survive even in the most difficult circumstances or with the simplest of food. It is often used to encourage hope during crises or to suggest that safety and survival are more important than luxury or status.
అడ్డెడు తవ్వెడు బియ్యమిచ్చి, అమ్మా నీప్రసాదమన్నట్లు
addedu tavvedu biyyamichchi, amma niprasadamannatlu
Giving a measure of rice and then asking for it back as a divine offering.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a very small or insignificant contribution but acts as if they are receiving a great favor or blessing in return. It refers to people who try to take credit for something they barely contributed to, or those who expect others to provide for them using the very resources they themselves provided.
అప్పు ఆకలికి వచ్చునా?
appu akaliki vachchuna?
Will a debt be repaid when you are hungry ? Can you ever get a debt repaid when you are in want ?
This proverb is used to emphasize that borrowed money or resources are not a permanent or reliable solution for immediate, basic needs. Just as one cannot rely on the uncertainty of getting a loan when they are starving, one should focus on self-reliance and earning their own living rather than depending on others for essential survival.
వెంట్రుకలు ఉంటే ఏ కొప్పు అయినా పెట్టవచ్చును
ventrukalu unte e koppu ayina pettavachchunu
If there is hair, it may be dressed in any fashion.
This proverb conveys that if you possess the fundamental resources or basic requirements, you can achieve any desired result or style. It is often used to suggest that as long as one has health or wealth (the foundation), they can manage their life in various ways.
If you have means, you can do any thing you like.
వినకు, అనకు, కనకు
vinaku, anaku, kanaku
Do not hear, do not say, do not see.
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as a moral guideline to avoid evil: do not listen to evil, do not speak evil, and do not see evil. It is used to encourage people to maintain purity of mind and avoid participating in gossip or negativity.
తాను తిన తవుడు లేదు, వారాంగనకు వడియాలు కావా అన్నాట్ట.
tanu tina tavudu ledu, varanganaku vadiyalu kava annatta.
He doesn't have bran to eat himself, yet he asks for sun-dried crackers for his courtesan.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities for themselves but attempts to indulge in extravagant luxuries or provide for others beyond their means. It mocks pretentious behavior or misplaced priorities where one tries to maintain a high status despite being in poverty.