ఉపాయమున్నవాడు ఊరిమీద బ్రతుకుతాడు
upayamunnavadu urimida bratukutadu
A person with resourcefulness lives off the village
This expression means that a clever or resourceful person can survive anywhere by using their intelligence. It highlights that wit and strategic thinking are more valuable than physical labor or inherited wealth for one's livelihood.
Related Phrases
నోరు కలిగితే బ్రతుకుతాడు
noru kaligite bratukutadu
If he has a mouth he will live. The son of the minister of a king of Ayodhya (Oudh) was caught stealing the king's flowers.—As he was being taken to the palace, his father called out "It is of no consequence, if he has a mouth he will live" The son took the hint, ate up the flowers, denied the offence, and was believed by the king, who punished his accusers. (See Telugu Selections, 36th story.)
This expression is used to describe someone who is articulate, persuasive, or assertive in their speech. It implies that a person who knows how to speak up for themselves, communicate effectively, or negotiate will always find a way to succeed or survive in any situation, regardless of other challenges.
బతికితే వైద్యుడు బతుకుతాడు, చస్తే బ్రాహ్మణుడు బతుకుతాడు
batikite vaidyudu batukutadu, chaste brahmanudu batukutadu
If the patient lives, the doctor survives; if the patient dies, the priest survives.
This proverb is a satirical take on professions that profit regardless of the outcome. It suggests that if a sick person recovers, the doctor earns money and fame, but if the person dies, the priest earns fees for performing the funeral rites. It is used to describe situations where certain parties benefit from both success and failure.
దయ్యముల ముందర బిడ్డ బ్రతుకునా?
dayyamula mundara bidda bratukuna?
Could a child live in front of devils ?
This expression is used to describe a situation where something fragile, innocent, or valuable is placed in the hands of cruel and heartless people. Just as a child cannot survive amongst demons, a good person or a delicate task cannot thrive or succeed in an environment filled with wicked people or destructive forces.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అరిటాకు బ్రతుకు వంటిది.
adadani bratuku aritaku bratuku vantidi.
A woman's life is like a banana leaf.
This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.
ఊరిమీద ఊరుపడ్డా, కరణంమీద కాసుపడదు.
urimida urupadda, karanammida kasupadadu.
Even if a village falls upon another village, not a penny will fall on the Karanam.
This proverb highlights the extreme selfishness or stinginess of a person in power. A 'Karanam' was a village accountant/official; the saying implies that no matter how much disaster or collective burden falls upon society, certain greedy or clever individuals will ensure they don't lose a single cent of their own wealth or take any responsibility.
ఉట్టిమీద కూడు, ఊరిమీద నిద్ర
uttimida kudu, urimida nidra
Food on the high-slung basket, sleep on the village.
This expression describes a person who lives a carefree, irresponsible, or nomadic lifestyle without any domestic stability or worries. It refers to someone who eats whenever they find food (stored in an 'Utti' or rope-net basket) and sleeps wherever they happen to be in the village, essentially living without any definite home or plan.
భార్య మాట బ్రతుకు బాట
bharya mata bratuku bata
Wife's word is the path to life.
This expression suggests that listening to a wife's advice leads to a stable, prosperous, and successful life. It highlights the importance of a spouse's wisdom in maintaining a happy household.
మిద్దె ఉన్నవాడు బ్రతికి, గుడిసె ఉన్నవాడు చావడు
midde unnavadu bratiki, gudise unnavadu chavadu
Neither the one with a mansion survives forever, nor the one in a hut dies instantly.
This proverb emphasizes the equality of life and death, suggesting that wealth (a mansion) doesn't guarantee immortality, and poverty (a hut) doesn't mean immediate demise. It is used to remind people that fate and time are the ultimate deciders, regardless of one's social or economic status.
ఉపాయవంతుడు ఊరికి ఉరవడి.
upayavantudu uriki uravadi.
A resourceful person is an inspiration to the village.
This proverb highlights the importance of an intelligent or resourceful person (Upayavantudu) in a community. It suggests that a person who can find solutions and provide guidance becomes a trendsetter or a driving force (Uravadi) for the entire village. It is used to describe how a single wise person's actions can lead and benefit a whole group.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అల్ప బ్రతుకు
adadani bratuku alpa bratuku
A woman's life is a fragile/humble life
This is a traditional Telugu proverb often used to express the perceived vulnerability, hardships, or subordinate status women faced in social structures. It suggests that a woman's life is delicate or subject to many challenges. In modern contexts, it is sometimes used to reflect on the historical plight or difficulties specific to women's experiences.