ఊరివాడికి కాటిభయం, పొరుగూరివాడికి నీటిభయం
urivadiki katibhayam, porugurivadiki nitibhayam
The inhabitant of the village is afraid of the cemetery; the stranger is afraid of the water. The inhabitant of the village has a superstitious dread of the burial or burning ground, and avoids it; but the stranger does not know its situation and walks through it. On the other hand, the villager knows the depth of the tank, and does not fear going into it, but the stranger is afraid to venture. No safe wading in an unknown water.
This proverb highlights how fear is often rooted in personal experience or specific knowledge. A local resident is afraid of the village cemetery because they know the legends or have seen deaths there, while a traveler or outsider is afraid of the local water sources (lakes or rivers) because they are unfamiliar with their depth or hidden dangers.
Related Phrases
దలారికి దండుగ భయం, మసీదుకు చొంగ భయం లేదు
dalariki danduga bhayam, masiduku chonga bhayam ledu
A broker fears loss, but a mosque has no fear of drool.
This proverb highlights the difference between those who have much to lose and those who have nothing at stake. A businessman or broker (Dalari) is always worried about financial loss (Danduga), whereas an inanimate object like a mosque (Masid) or someone with no reputation/possessions is indifferent to minor insults or filth (Chonga). It is used to describe how people's anxieties depend on their status or what they stand to lose.
పాపం అంటే భయం
papam ante bhayam
Sin means fear
This expression is used to describe someone who is God-fearing, ethical, or has a strong conscience. It implies that a person's fear of committing a sin or doing wrong keeps them on the path of righteousness and integrity.
శివుడంటే యముడికి కూడా భయమే
shivudante yamudiki kuda bhayame
Even Yama (the God of Death) is afraid of Shiva.
This expression is used to describe an extremely powerful or influential person whom even the most formidable authorities fear. It highlights supreme authority and indicates that someone is so strong that even those who are usually feared by others are intimidated by them.
ముసలాడికి వగలాడి ఆలైనా, ఆత్రపు విటకానికి అతిభాషి లంజైనా వెతలే.
musaladiki vagaladi alaina, atrapu vitakaniki atibhashi lanjaina vetale.
If an old man gets a flirtatious wife, or if a desperate lover gets a talkative mistress, it only leads to sorrow.
This proverb highlights situations of incompatibility and the misery caused by mismatched partnerships. It suggests that a person who cannot keep up with or manage their partner's demanding or excessive nature will eventually suffer mental or physical exhaustion.
భయముంటే వణకు, భయముంటే జయము లేదు.
bhayamunte vanaku, bhayamunte jayamu ledu.
If there is fear, there is trembling; if there is fear, there is no victory.
This expression emphasizes that fear is a major obstacle to success. It suggests that being afraid leads to physical instability (trembling) and mental weakness, which ultimately prevents a person from achieving their goals or winning.
నయమంటే భయమేమి?
nayamante bhayamemi?
If it is the right path, why fear?
This expression is used to state that one who acts with integrity, honesty, and follows the righteous path has no reason to be afraid of anyone or any consequences. It is similar to the English proverb 'A clean hand wants no washing'.
జయమున్నంత వరకూ భయం లేదు
jayamunnanta varaku bhayam ledu
As long as there is victory, there is no fear
This expression is used to signify that success and confidence eliminate fear. It suggests that when one is continuously winning or in a state of triumph, they do not feel intimidated by challenges. It is often used to motivate someone to focus on achieving success to overcome their insecurities.
ఈ ఊరి రెడ్డి పొరుగూరికి పారి కాపు
i uri reddi poruguriki pari kapu
The village headman of this village is a common farmhand in the next village.
This expression highlights how status is relative and context-dependent. A person who is highly respected or powerful in their own domain might be considered insignificant or a subordinate in a different environment where they lack authority or recognition.
మనకు పులి భయం, పులికి మన భయం.
manaku puli bhayam, puliki mana bhayam.
We fear the tiger, and the tiger fears us.
This expression describes a state of mutual fear or a standoff between two parties. It is used in situations where both sides are equally intimidated by each other, preventing either from taking action. It highlights that the perceived threat is often reciprocal.
పొరుగూరి చాకిరి, పొరుగూరి వ్యవసాయం, తనను తినేవే కాని, తాను తినేవి కావు.
poruguri chakiri, poruguri vyavasayam, tananu tineve kani, tanu tinevi kavu.
Service in another village and farming in another village consume a person rather than feeding them.
This proverb highlights the inefficiency and loss involved in managing work or assets far from one's residence. It suggests that laboring for others in a distant place or trying to manage agriculture in a different village results in more exhaustion and expense than actual profit or benefit. It is used to advise people to focus on local opportunities where they can supervise and sustain themselves better.