వరి పండని ఊరు - దొర ఉండని ఊరు ఒకటి.

vari pandani uru - dora undani uru okati.

Translation

A village where paddy does not grow and a village without a leader are one and the same.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the importance of basic resources (food) and governance (leadership) for a community's survival. Just as a village cannot thrive without agriculture, it cannot function in a civilized or orderly manner without a responsible authority or leader to provide direction and justice.

Related Phrases

A village without water and a village without a god are the same whether they exist or not.

This proverb emphasizes that water is as fundamental to life as faith or spiritual guidance is to a community. It suggests that a village lacking basic necessities (water) or moral/spiritual foundations (a temple/god) is effectively uninhabitable and serves no purpose, rendering its existence meaningless.

In a year where crops don't grow, the labor is even greater.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite putting in an immense amount of effort, there are no results or rewards. It highlights that failing or unproductive tasks often feel more exhausting and burdensome than successful ones because the hardship is not mitigated by a positive outcome.

There should be stability in the field and stability in the play.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation and focus in both work (represented by the field/farming) and leisure or external activities (represented by play). It suggests that to be successful, one must ensure their livelihood is secure and their actions are disciplined and steady.

A village inhabited by Velamas and a pond inhabited by cranes are the same.

This proverb is a social commentary or observational saying from olden times. It suggests that just as cranes stay at a pond only as long as there is fish (prey) and fly away once it is gone, certain influential groups or people might be opportunistic, staying in a place only as long as there is wealth or benefit to be gained. It is used to describe situational loyalty or resource-driven presence.

A blow from a pestle - a mendicant's song

This expression refers to a situation where someone experiences a severe blow or tragedy (pestle blow) but tries to cover it up or distracted from it with a casual or irrelevant song (Dasari's song). It is used to describe a mismatch between a serious problem and a trivial response, or when someone behaves as if nothing is wrong despite being in pain.

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.

Like wishing for fruit which cannot be reached.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone desires or pursues something that is completely beyond their reach, capability, or status. It highlights the futility of having unrealistic ambitions or craving for unattainable goals.

Like stretching one's neck for fruits on an unreachable tree

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is striving or longing for something that is clearly beyond their reach or impossible to attain. It highlights the futility of desiring things that are far beyond one's capacity or status.

Eggplant should be old, and Paddy should be young.

This is an agricultural proverb indicating the ideal stages for transplantation. Eggplant (brinjal) seedlings should be mature/sturdy before being replanted, whereas paddy (rice) seedlings should be young and tender for the best crop yield.

The half articulated words [ of children ] are pleasant [ to the ear ] and half pickled vegetables to the taste.

This proverb describes the charm of imperfection or the initial stages of a process. Just as the broken, innocent babbling of a toddler is more delightful to hear than perfect speech, a pickle that is still in the process of marinating (not yet fully fermented) has a unique, appetizing flavor.