తెల్లగుట్టిపు చదువు, నగిరికొలువు కష్టము.
tellaguttipu chaduvu, nagirikoluvu kashtamu.
Studying on white paper and serving in the royal court are difficult.
This proverb highlights that gaining formal education (white paper) and working in government or high-ranking administration (royal court) both require immense discipline, patience, and effort. It is used to remind someone that prestigious achievements do not come easily.
Related Phrases
బుడ్డది చిక్కినా కష్టమే, బలిసినా కష్టమే
buddadi chikkina kashtame, balisina kashtame
If the young girl gets thin it's a problem, if she grows too fat it's also a problem.
This proverb is used to describe a delicate or troublesome situation where there is no perfect outcome. No matter which way things turn out, there will be difficulties or complaints. It is often used to refer to people who are never satisfied or situations that are inherently problematic regardless of the change in state.
పొట్టి పోతరాజు కొలువు
potti potaraju koluvu
The service of Potti Pôta Râzu.
This expression is used to describe a place or situation where there is no discipline, order, or decorum. It typically refers to a chaotic environment where everyone talks at once or where the rules are constantly ignored, much like a disorganized royal court.
A worrying fellow, of whom it is said that when his followers were behind him, he abused them for treating him as their ( Pariah ) guide ; when they went before him, he accused them of acting as if they were his superiors ; and when they travelled at each side of his palankin, he repri- manded them for daring to place themselves on an equality with himself.
పిల్ల పుట్టకముందే కుల్లాయి కుట్టినట్లు
pilla puttakamunde kullayi kuttinatlu
Stitching a cap before the child is even born
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes premature preparations or plans for an event that hasn't happened yet and whose outcome is uncertain. It is similar to the English idiom 'counting your chickens before they hatch'.
గ్రాసము లేని కొలువు
grasamu leni koluvu
Work without pay. Work not paid for is ill done. Work done expects money. (Portuguese.)
This expression refers to a job or position that provides no salary, benefits, or basic means of survival. It is used to describe an unrewarding occupation where the effort put in does not yield even the most essential returns.
* Obra feita dinheiro espera.
సుఖము కష్టముకే.
sukhamu kashtamuke.
Happiness [is followed by ] trouble. Grief borders on the extremes of gladness. (Latin.) If you laugh to-day you may cry to-morrow.
This expression means that true happiness or comfort can only be achieved after enduring hard work or difficulty. It emphasizes that the reward of pleasure is the result of previous struggle.
సన్యాసం చివర కష్టం, సంసారం మధ్య కష్టం
sanyasam chivara kashtam, samsaram madhya kashtam
Asceticism is difficult at the end, family life is difficult in the middle
This proverb highlights the challenges of different stages of life. Being a monk or ascetic (Sanyasam) is difficult in old age due to loneliness and physical ailments, whereas family life (Samsaram) is hardest in the middle years when one is burdened with responsibilities, financial stress, and raising children.
పీనుగుకు చేసిన శృంగారం నగిరికి చేసిన కొలువు
pinuguku chesina shringaram nagiriki chesina koluvu
Decoration done to a corpse, service rendered to a royal palace.
This proverb highlights tasks that are futile and result in no appreciation or lasting benefit. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because the body is lifeless, working for a royal palace (or a fickle authority) often goes unrewarded and unrecognized, regardless of the effort put in. It is used to describe thankless jobs or wasted labor.
ఈ కష్టాలకన్నా మా అత్త పెట్టే కష్టాలే బాగున్నాయి అన్నదట
i kashtalakanna ma atta pette kashtale bagunnayi annadata
She said the troubles caused by her mother-in-law were better than these hardships
This expression is used to describe a situation where current new difficulties are so overwhelming that previous hardships, which were once considered unbearable, now seem preferable or mild by comparison. It highlights a 'from the frying pan into the fire' scenario.
బాపనవాని కొలువూ తెల్ల గుర్రపు కొలువూ కొలువ కూడదు.
bapanavani koluvu tella gurrapu koluvu koluva kudadu.
You should not serve a Brahman or a white horse. There is no end to your labor.
This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or service roles are inherently difficult or unrewarding. Serving a white horse is considered difficult because any speck of dirt is easily visible, requiring constant cleaning. Similarly, the proverb historically implies that serving a scholarly or meticulous master (metaphorically represented by a Brahmin) requires excessive attention to detail and purity, making the work never-ending and difficult to satisfy.
గ్రాసము లేని కొలువు
grasamu leni koluvu
Employment without sustenance
This expression refers to a job or position that does not provide enough salary or benefits to meet basic living needs. It is used to describe unrewarding work or a situation where the effort put in far exceeds the meager compensation received.