విరిగేదానికంటే వంగేదే మేలు

virigedanikante vangede melu

Translation

It is better to bend than to break

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability. It suggests that being humble or accommodating in difficult situations is better than being rigid and suffering total destruction or failure. It is often used to advise someone to compromise rather than losing everything due to ego or stubbornness.

Related Phrases

When the owner says the buffalo is barren, the neighbor says it is a milch buffalo.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has no firsthand knowledge or responsibility regarding a matter contradicts the person who knows the actual facts. It is used to mock people who offer unsolicited, overly optimistic, or ignorant opinions that contradict the reality faced by the person involved.

Even if he dies childless, it is better to have a son.

This proverb is rooted in traditional beliefs where having a son was considered essential for family legacy and performing last rites. It suggests that the status or merit of having had a son outweighs the sorrow of losing him, or more broadly, that even a failed or short-lived positive outcome is better than having nothing at all.

Rice from the market, firewood from the Tangedu tree.

This expression is used to describe a person who lives hand-to-mouth or leads a very simple, unorganized life without any savings or future planning. It refers to someone who buys rice daily from the shop and picks up wild twigs for fuel just before cooking, signifying a lack of domestic stability or foresight.

As the Tangêḍu blossoms.

This expression is used to describe something that is occurring in great abundance, or a situation that has become unexpectedly colorful and prosperous. Just as the Tangedu (Senna aurata) flowers bloom all at once, covering the bushes in vibrant yellow, this phrase signifies a sudden and beautiful transformation or a plentiful state.

Tangêḍu is the Cassia Auriculata.

Like the blooming of the Tangedu flower

This expression is used to describe something that happens in great abundance or a sudden, plentiful appearance of something positive. The Tangedu (Tanner's Cassia) plant is known for its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom profusely, covering the landscape. It is often used to describe a sudden stroke of luck or wealth.

A pair is better than being alone

This proverb emphasizes the value of companionship and cooperation. It suggests that two people working together or supporting each other is always better and more effective than a person acting alone. It is often used to encourage marriage, partnership, or teamwork.

The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].

This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.

When the owner said his she-buffalo was barren, the neigh- bour said it was milch. Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an outsider or neighbor contradicts the owner's first-hand knowledge with baseless or overly optimistic claims. It highlights the tendency of people to comment or give unsolicited advice on matters they don't fully understand, often being more stubborn about the facts than the person directly involved in the situation.

When an outsider says it's a pregnant buffalo, the owner says it's a barren buffalo.

This proverb describes a situation where an owner or an insider devalues their own possessions or family members while an outsider recognizes their true worth. It is used to highlight a lack of appreciation for what one already has, or a tendency to be overly critical of one's own people or assets.

All that boils over goes to the fire-place. Said of a silly man puffed up with conceit, whose vanity ruins him.

This expression is used to describe a situation where excessive efforts, resources, or emotions are wasted and do not benefit the person involved. Just as milk that overflows from a pot is lost to the stove rather than being consumed, wasted potential or unnecessary extravagance yields no useful result.