విరామం లేని పశువుకు ఊరట లావు

viramam leni pashuvuku urata lavu

Translation

To a tireless beast of burden, rest is strength.

Meaning

This expression highlights the importance of rest and rejuvenation. Just as a hardworking animal regains its strength through a small break, a person who works without pause finds immense value and renewed energy in a moment of relief. It is used to suggest that taking a break is essential for long-term productivity.

Related Phrases

There is no loss for a soldier without self-respect and a king without a mustache.

This proverb highlights the importance of honor and dignity. Just as a mustache was traditionally seen as a symbol of authority for a king, self-respect (rosham) is essential for a soldier. If they lack these qualities, they have nothing left to lose because they have already lost their status and dignity in the eyes of society.

A festival without bustle is like music without rhythm.

This expression is used to describe a situation that lacks its essential characteristic or spark. Just as a festival feels incomplete without joy and crowds, and music is chaotic without a beat, an event or person lacking their core quality is considered dull and meaningless.

A field without fertilizer, a river without speed.

This proverb highlights that certain things are useless or ineffective without their essential qualities. Just as a field cannot yield good crops without fertilizer (nutrients), a river loses its purpose or identity if it has no flow or momentum. It is used to describe situations where a core component is missing, making the whole entity pointless.

A cattle herder does not come for construction or manual labor.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is habituated to a specific, easy, or leisurely routine and is unwilling or unable to adapt to hard physical labor or different types of disciplined work. It highlights how professional habits and lifestyles make people unfit for tasks outside their comfort zone.

Farming is possible only if there are young cattle.

This proverb emphasizes that any task or enterprise requires energetic and youthful resources to be successful. Just as farming depends on the strength of young oxen, any organization or project needs the vigor of youth and health to sustain productivity and progress.

A 'boore' without stuffing, and a wedding without a 'veeranam' drum.

This proverb describes things that are incomplete or lack their essential elements. Just as a sweet 'boore' is tasteless without its sweet filling (poornam) and a traditional wedding feels lifeless without the loud beat of the drum (veeranam), a task or situation is considered hollow or dull if its core component is missing.

A feast for the tiger is death for the cattle.

This proverb highlights a situation where one person's gain or pleasure results in another's suffering or loss. It is used to describe zero-sum games or exploitative situations where the benefit of the powerful inherently involves the destruction of the weak.

Cattle's milk depends on the fodder.

The quality or quantity of the output depends entirely on the input or effort provided. Just as a cow gives more milk when fed better, success in any endeavor is proportional to the resources or hard work invested.

They worship the stone animal, but they beat the living animal in their hand.

This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and irony. It refers to people who offer great respect and rituals to idols (stone statues) while mistreating or neglecting the actual living beings or family members right in front of them. It is used to criticize those who value religious symbolism over practical compassion.

Even animals and infants can experience the essence of music.

This expression highlights the universal power of music. It suggests that music is a divine and primal force that transcends language and intellect, capable of soothing or attracting even animals and newborn babies who do not understand lyrics or complex concepts.