ఊరు పండితే ఊకైనా దొరుకుతుంది.

uru pandite ukaina dorukutundi.

Translation

If the village yields a harvest, at least the husk will be available.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the interdependence of community members. It suggests that when the overall community or the people around us prosper, even the less fortunate or those at the bottom of the ladder will receive some benefit or basic sustenance. It is used to highlight that collective prosperity benefits everyone.

Related Phrases

An old woman said, 'If it weren't for my rooster and my hearth, let's see how the sun will rise and how fire will be found.'

This proverb mocks the delusion of self-importance. It is used to describe people who falsely believe that a natural process or a group's progress depends entirely on them, and that things will come to a halt if they are not involved.

If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.

This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.

If you plow early in the morning, even a poor farmer will see a harvest.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of punctuality and hard work in agriculture. 'Egili' refers to the very early morning hours (pre-dawn). It suggests that starting work early is so effective that even someone with limited resources or skills can achieve a good yield.

The everlasting thief is one day caught. The old fox is caught at last. The old ape is taken at last. (Latin.)

This proverb means that no matter how clever or successful someone is at hiding their wrongdoings or crimes for a long time, justice will eventually prevail and they will be caught. It is used to warn people that luck eventually runs out for those who consistently do wrong.

When the Kalivi berries ripen, the season (or difficult time) ends.

This proverb is used to indicate that certain natural indicators signify the end of a specific period, often suggesting that hardship or a waiting period is coming to a close. In a rural context, it refers to the seasonal availability of wild berries marking the transition of time.

If you put a bandicoot in a storage pit, will it stay quiet?

This proverb is used to describe people whose inherent nature or bad habits cannot be changed even in favorable or restricted conditions. Just as a bandicoot will naturally dig through and destroy a grain storage pit (pathara) despite being surrounded by food, a person with a crooked nature will continue to do mischief or cause trouble regardless of where they are placed.

If early morning plowing is done, even an incapable person can harvest a crop.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timeliness and hard work in agriculture. 'Egili' refers to plowing early in the morning. It suggests that if one starts their work at the right time and follows a disciplined routine, success is guaranteed even for those who are not particularly skilled or powerful.

A tattered quilt suitable for the old saddle will certainly be found.

This expression is used to describe two people or things that are a perfect match for each other, especially in a sarcastic or negative sense. It implies that for every odd or flawed person, there is a similarly matched partner or counterpart. It is often used to describe couples who share the same eccentricities or negative traits, similar to the English idiom 'every pot has its lid.'

Just because you found soil, will you find a ruby?

This expression is used to convey that common things are easily found, but precious or rare things (like talent, true value, or high-quality items) require more effort or luck. It implies that one shouldn't expect extraordinary results or valuable outcomes just because they have access to something basic or common.

If Java plums ripen, the lands will flourish.

This is a traditional agricultural observation. It implies that a bountiful harvest of Jamun (Java plum) fruits indicates favorable weather conditions and a good monsoon, which in turn leads to a successful agricultural season and fertile yields across the lands.