వాన ఎక్కువైతే రొంపి కరువు, వాన తక్కువైతే వరపు కరువు.
vana ekkuvaite rompi karuvu, vana takkuvaite varapu karuvu.
If the rain is excessive, there's a scarcity due to mud; if the rain is insufficient, there's a scarcity due to drought.
This proverb highlights the delicate balance required in nature for agriculture and life. It explains that extreme conditions in either direction—too much rain (leading to waterlogging and rot) or too little rain (leading to drying up)—result in the same outcome: a lack of food and resources. It is used to describe situations where both extremes are equally detrimental.
Related Phrases
అన్నం ఎక్కువైతే ఆచారం ఎక్కువ, ఆచారం ఎక్కువైతే గ్రహచారం తక్కువ.
annam ekkuvaite acharam ekkuva, acharam ekkuvaite grahacharam takkuva.
If food is in excess, rituals increase; if rituals increase, fortune decreases.
This proverb suggests that when people have too much luxury or idle time, they tend to focus excessively on rigid traditions and unnecessary rituals. However, becoming overly obsessed with such formalities can lead to one's downfall or misfortune. It is a cautionary saying about maintaining balance and avoiding extreme pedantry.
కుమ్మరికి కుండ కరువు, సాలెకు బట్ట కరువు
kummariki kunda karuvu, saleku batta karuvu
The potter lacks a pot, and the weaver lacks a cloth.
This proverb describes a paradoxical situation where a professional or skilled worker lacks the very thing they produce for others. It is used to highlight irony, such as a doctor who is always sick or a financial advisor who is broke.
కూడు ఎక్కువైతే కులమెక్కున
kudu ekkuvaite kulamekkuna
Does one's caste or status increase just because they have plenty of food?
This proverb is used to criticize those who become arrogant or forget their roots and humble beginnings once they achieve prosperity or wealth. It serves as a reminder that having excess resources (food/wealth) does not change one's fundamental identity or make them superior to others.
తమలపాకులో సున్నమంతటివాడు- తక్కువైనా ఎక్కువైనా బెడదే
tamalapakulo sunnamantativadu- takkuvaina ekkuvaina bedade
Like the lime paste on a betel leaf—too little or too much is a problem.
This expression describes a person or a situation that requires precise balance. Just as the right amount of lime (sunnam) enhances a betel leaf but too little makes it tasteless and too much burns the mouth, this refers to people who are difficult to manage or things that must be handled with extreme care to avoid negative consequences.
బతుకు తక్కువైనా బడాయి ఎక్కువ
batuku takkuvaina badayi ekkuva
Even if life is low, the boasting is high
This expression describes a person who lives in humble or poor conditions but pretends to be very wealthy or superior. It is used to criticize someone who shows off excessively despite having no real status or resources to back it up.
అంగట్లో ఎక్కువైతే ముంగిట్లోకి వస్తుంది
angatlo ekkuvaite mungitloki vastundi
If it becomes excessive in the market, it will come to your doorstep.
This expression means that when something becomes overly abundant or common in society, its effects (positive or negative) will eventually reach your own home. It is often used to warn that if a social evil or trend is allowed to grow unchecked, one cannot remain immune to it forever.
ధర తక్కువ బంగారానికి దాటి ఎక్కువ
dhara takkuva bangaraniki dati ekkuva
Low-priced gold has more impurities.
This proverb is used to indicate that when something is sold at an unusually low price, it is often of poor quality or has many defects. It is a cautionary saying used to remind people that 'you get what you pay for' and that cheap goods often come with hidden costs or flaws.
పని తక్కువ, ప్రాకులాట ఎక్కువ
pani takkuva, prakulata ekkuva
Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)
This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.
కూటికి తక్కువైనా కులానికి తక్కువా?
kutiki takkuvaina kulaniki takkuva?
Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?
This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.
కరువులో అరువు
karuvulo aruvu
Borrowing during a famine
This expression describes a situation where one is forced to seek a loan or credit during a time of extreme scarcity or crisis. It signifies an act of desperation or a burden upon an already struggling person, as borrowing during a famine is difficult to repay and even harder to obtain.