ఊళ్లు ఏలే కుమారుడికన్నా, ఉపాధానమెత్తే పెనిమిటి నయం
ullu ele kumarudikanna, upadhanamette penimiti nayam
A husband that begs is better than a son that rules over villages. The one clings to his wife, the other despises his mother. ఋ.
This proverb emphasizes that in a traditional social context, a woman's primary security and status come from her husband, regardless of his humble state, rather than from her son's wealth or power. It highlights the importance of the spousal bond and the dependency of a mother on her husband's presence.
Related Phrases
అసలు లేనిదానికన్నా పెసరపుడక నయం
asalu lenidanikanna pesarapudaka nayam
A small twig of a green gram plant is better than nothing at all.
This proverb is equivalent to the English saying 'Something is better than nothing.' It is used to express that even a very small or minimal gain or resource is preferable to having absolutely nothing.
వరహాకన్నా వడ్డీ ముద్దు, కుమారునికన్నా మనవడు ముద్దు.
varahakanna vaddi muddu, kumarunikanna manavadu muddu.
Interest is sweeter than the principal; a grandson is dearer than a son.
This proverb highlights the human tendency to cherish secondary outcomes or subsequent generations more than the original source. Just as a moneylender might value the accumulating interest over the original capital, grandparents often feel a deeper, more indulgent affection for their grandchildren than they did for their own children.
లేని దాతకంటె, ఉన్న లోభి నయము.
leni datakante, unna lobhi nayamu.
A rich miser is better than a poor donor.
This proverb highlights that a wealthy person who is stingy (a miser) is still more useful in a society or economy than someone who has a generous heart but no resources to actually give. It is used to emphasize that practical capability often outweighs good intentions when there is a lack of means.
ఏ దేవుడు వరమిచ్చినా, పెనిమిటి లేనిదే పిల్లలు పుట్టరు.
e devudu varamichchina, penimiti lenide pillalu puttaru.
No matter which god gives a boon, children won't be born without a husband.
This proverb emphasizes that even with divine help or luck, practical means and human effort are necessary to achieve a result. It is used to point out that one must follow the natural order or use the required tools/intermediaries to complete a task, rather than relying solely on miracles or high-level permissions.
పేరు పెనిమిటిది, అనుభవము మామగారిది.
peru penimitidi, anubhavamu mamagaridi.
The name is my husband's, the suffering is my father-in- law's. Said by Sitâ to the Rishis' wives when they condoled with her on her husband's sufferings. She knew that Râma's misfortune was not to be compared with that of her father-in-law Daśaratha who died of grief, cursed by the old hermit whose son he had accidentally killed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person gets the formal credit or title, but the actual power, benefit, or utility is enjoyed by someone else. It highlights the disparity between nominal ownership and practical usage.
The name with one, the reality with another.
పేరు పెనిమిటిది, అనుభవం మామగారిది
peru penimitidi, anubhavam mamagaridi
The name is the husband's, but the experience (enjoyment) is the father-in-law's
This proverb describes a situation where one person holds a formal title or position of authority on paper, but the actual power, control, or benefits are exercised by someone else. It is often used to critique proxy governance or situations where a figurehead is controlled by a senior member.
ఊళ్ళేలే కొమరుడి కన్నా ఉపాదాన మెత్తే పెనిమిటి మేలు
ullele komarudi kanna upadana mette penimiti melu
A husband who begs for alms is better than a son who rules villages.
This proverb emphasizes the traditional social security of a woman. In the context of the era it originated from, a husband is seen as a more reliable and direct source of support and status for a wife than a son, regardless of the son's power or wealth. It highlights the importance of the marital bond for a woman's immediate well-being.
నా పతివ్రతా ధర్మము నా మొదటి పెనిమిటికి తెలుసును.
na pativrata dharmamu na modati penimitiki telusunu.
My chastity is known to my first husband. Said by a widow who had passed herself off as a maid, and married again.
This is a sarcastic or ironic expression used to mock someone who is boasting about their integrity or loyalty when their past actions clearly prove otherwise. It highlights a contradiction where someone claims to be virtuous despite having a history of failure or betrayal. It is often used to expose hypocrisy.
వాన ఉంటే కరువు లేదు, పెనిమిటి ఉంటే పేదరికం లేదు
vana unte karuvu ledu, penimiti unte pedarikam ledu
If there is rain, there is no famine; if there is a husband, there is no poverty.
This traditional proverb highlights the foundational elements of security in a household. Just as rain is the primary source that prevents drought and starvation for a society, a supportive husband was traditionally viewed as the primary provider and protector who prevents a family from falling into destitution. It is used to emphasize the importance of essential support systems.
చదివినవాని కన్నా చాకలవాడు నయం
chadivinavani kanna chakalavadu nayam
A washerman is better than an educated person. The washerman, though illiterate, invariably distinguishes the clothes belonging to different people by putting certain marks on them, but many of the educated cannot discern between good and evil.
This proverb is used to criticize an educated person who lacks common sense or practical wisdom. It implies that practical knowledge and a sensible approach to life (often attributed to simple workers like a washerman) are more valuable than formal education without the ability to apply it properly or behave appropriately.