ఉప్పు తిన్న కోడె ఊరిపోయింది, పప్పు తిన్న కోడె పాలిపోయింది
uppu tinna kode uripoyindi, pappu tinna kode palipoyindi
The bull that ate salt grew sturdy, while the bull that ate dal grew pale.
This proverb highlights the importance of hardship and a simple, rugged lifestyle in building strength versus the weakness caused by a pampered or luxurious lifestyle. In a practical sense, it suggests that basic, essential nutrients (salt/minerals) and hard work make one robust, whereas rich food (dal/protein) without corresponding physical strain leads to lethargy and lack of vigor. It is used to advise against over-indulgence and to value resilience.
Related Phrases
ఉప్పు తిన్న ప్రాణం ఊరుకోదు
uppu tinna pranam urukodu
A life that has consumed salt will not remain quiet.
This proverb is used to express the idea of gratitude and loyalty. It implies that if someone has helped you (literally provided you with salt/food), your conscience will not allow you to remain indifferent or ungrateful towards them, especially in their time of need.
ఘాటాలు తిన్న కోడె ఘాటికి రానట్లు
ghatalu tinna kode ghatiki ranatlu
Like a young bull that has tasted the lush grass of the valley and refuses to return to its manger.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced better opportunities, luxuries, or freedom elsewhere and is no longer willing to return to their previous, restricted, or mundane life. It highlights the difficulty of bringing someone back to a routine or humble state once they have tasted a superior or more enjoyable lifestyle.
ముప్పూట తిన్నమ్మ మూర్ఛపోయిందట
mupputa tinnamma murchhapoyindata
The woman who ate three meals a day supposedly fainted.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be weak, exhausted, or incapable despite being well-provided for or living a comfortable life. It highlights hypocrisy or 'acting' when someone who has no reason to suffer suddenly complains of hardship.
గోనెలే కొత్తవి, కోడెలెప్పటివే!
gonele kottavi, kodeleppative!
Only the sacks are new, the bulls are the same old ones!
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a system or organization undergoes superficial changes (like a rebranding or new name) but the underlying people or fundamental problems remain exactly the same. It is similar to the English expression 'Old wine in a new bottle.'
సిగ్గు వెళ్ళినాడే పోయింది, కాస్త ఉంటే కార్యంతో పోయింది
siggu vellinade poyindi, kasta unte karyanto poyindi
Shame was lost the day I left; whatever little remained was lost with the task.
This expression is used to describe a person who has completely lost their sense of shame or self-respect in pursuit of a goal. It implies that a person initially cast aside their dignity to get something done, and now they are entirely indifferent to criticism or social embarrassment.
పాతిక కోతి ముప్పాతిక బెల్లం తిన్నదట
patika koti muppatika bellam tinnadata
A quarter-sized monkey ate three-quarters of jaggery.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the maintenance, overhead, or secondary costs of an item far exceed the actual value of the item itself. It highlights disproportionate consumption or waste where a small entity consumes a large amount of resources.
ఉన్నదీ పోయింది, ఉంచుకున్నదీ పోయింది
unnadi poyindi, unchukunnadi poyindi
That which was owned is gone, and that which was kept is also gone
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses what they already possessed while greedily chasing something extra or trying to manage two things at once. It is used to highlight total loss resulting from poor judgment or over-ambition.
పొట్టి తోకగల కోడె పొడిచినా నడవదు
potti tokagala kode podichina nadavadu
A short-tailed young bull won't budge even if poked.
This proverb refers to a person who is extremely stubborn or thick-skinned. It suggests that someone with inherent defects or a naturally defiant attitude will not change their behavior or move forward, no matter how much you pressure, coax, or push them.
చచ్చిన బర్రె పాతెడు పాలిచ్చేది
chachchina barre patedu palichchedi
The dead buffalo used to give a potful of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the tendency of people to exaggerate the value or qualities of something or someone only after they are gone or lost. It highlights how people romanticize the past or overestimate the worth of a missed opportunity.
కూర్చున్న కూతురు కూలిపోయింది, చేసిన కోడలు చేవదేలింది
kurchunna kuturu kulipoyindi, chesina kodalu chevadelindi
The daughter who sat idle was ruined, the daughter-in-law who worked became strong.
This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and the negative consequences of idleness. It suggests that while a daughter who is overly pampered and stays idle becomes weak or 'breaks down' when faced with reality, a daughter-in-law who works hard gains strength, skill, and resilience. It is used to teach that active labor leads to prosperity and character building, whereas laziness leads to decline.