వెలుగు లేకున్నా చీకటి లేదు, చీకటి లేకున్నా వెలుగు లేదు.

velugu lekunna chikati ledu, chikati lekunna velugu ledu.

Translation

Without light there is no darkness, and without darkness there is no light.

Meaning

This expression highlights the concept of duality and interdependence. It signifies that opposites define each other; we cannot understand or appreciate success without failure, joy without sorrow, or good without evil. It is used to explain that contrasting elements are essential parts of a whole existence.

Related Phrases

A pig-headed fellow [feels] no shame, the trunk of a tree [feels] no wind.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely indifferent to criticism, insults, or social expectations. Just as a dead, leafless tree stump is unaffected by the blowing wind, a thick-skinned or shameless person remains unmoved and unbothered regardless of how much they are shamed or corrected by others.

If the night's darkness goes, the day's light comes.

This is an optimistic proverb used to encourage people during difficult times. It signifies that hardships (darkness) are temporary and will eventually be followed by better, successful days (light). It is similar to the English expression 'Every cloud has a silver lining' or 'This too shall pass.'

If there is no darkness, why is a lamp needed?

This proverb highlights the importance of context and necessity. It suggests that the value of something (like help, knowledge, or resources) is only realized when there is a problem or a deficiency to address. It is often used to explain that greatness or solutions are only recognized in the presence of challenges.

There is no morality without profanity.

This expression suggests that to truly understand or highlight what is moral and righteous, one must also acknowledge or encounter the base, crude, or immoral aspects of life. It implies that wisdom often comes from experiencing or witnessing the 'raw' realities of the world, or that strict moral lessons often stem from instances of bad behavior.

Daily allowance is like torchlight - a meal's ration is like a stick's flame.

This proverb describes the fleeting nature of income and sustenance. It suggests that a full day's earnings provide a strong, steady light (security), whereas living hand-to-mouth (a single meal's worth) offers only a weak, temporary flicker. It is used to contrast stable financial planning with precarious, short-term survival.

Neither a string nor a top

This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.

For as much light, there is that much darkness.

This expression is used to convey that every great success or positive situation often comes with an equivalent amount of hidden struggle, failure, or negative aspects. It emphasizes the balance between prosperity and adversity.

Even if there is no food to eat, the application of eye-liner (kajal) does not stop.

This proverb describes a person who prioritizes vanity, appearances, or superficial habits over basic necessities and survival. It is used to critique someone who is struggling financially but refuses to give up their expensive hobbies, makeup, or luxury lifestyle.

There is no darkness between the mouth and the hand.

This expression is used to describe someone who eats excessively or constantly, often without any sense of timing or restraint. It implies that the person is always moving their hand to their mouth to eat, regardless of whether it is day or night.

"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."

This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.