Classic Telugu proverbs (samethalu)

తాడిని తన్నేవాడుంటే వాడి తలను తన్నేవాడుంటాడు

tāḍini tannēvāḍuṇṭē vāḍi talanu tannēvāḍuṇṭāḍu

If there is one who kicks the palm tree, there is another who kicks his head

Meaning: However powerful you are, there is always someone more powerful.

ఆకలి రుచి ఎరగదు, నిద్ర సుఖం ఎరగదు

ākali ruchi eragadu, nidra sukhaṁ eragadu

Hunger knows no taste, sleep knows no comfort

Meaning: When you really need something, you stop being picky.

దున్నపోతుపై వాన పడ్డట్టు

dunnapōtupai vāna paḍḍaṭṭu

Like rain falling on a buffalo

Meaning: Advice or warnings that have no effect — like water off a buffalo's back.

చేతులు కాలాక ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్టు

chētulu kālāka ākulu paṭṭukunnaṭṭu

Grabbing leaves after the hands have already burnt

Meaning: Taking precautions too late, after the damage is done.

మనిషికి మాట, పశువుకి దెబ్బ

manishiki māṭa, paśuvuki debba

A word for a person, a blow for an animal

Meaning: Humans should respond to reason, not force.

తలంటే తలంటాలి, రుబ్బే రుబ్బాలి

talaṇṭē talaṇṭāli, rubbē rubbāli

If you say head, then head; if you say grind, then grind

Meaning: Commit fully to whatever you do — don't do things half-heartedly.

తొంగి చూస్తే తొర్రే కనపడుతుంది

toṅgi chūstē torrē kanapaḍutundi

If you peep in, you only see the hole

Meaning: A narrow viewpoint shows you only a narrow truth — broaden your perspective.

అడుక్కునేవాడికి అపరాలు తినే ఆశ

aḍukkunēvāḍiki aparālu tinē āśa

A beggar wants to eat fine pulses

Meaning: Beggars can't be choosers.