Greed

This proverb describes a miserly or selfish mindset where one's own possessions are treated as cheap or bitter (like Ippa flour), while the belongings of others are viewed as sweet and desirable (like jaggery). It is used to mock people who are stingy with their own resources but are eager to consume or take advantage of what belongs to others.

Ippapindi is the refuse of the nuts of the Ippa tree ( Bassia Latifolia ) and is remarkably bitter. Applied to a niggard.

This proverb highlights the restless nature of excessive desire. It means that there is no limit to human ambition or greed, and a person consumed by constant cravings can never find peace of mind or restful sleep. It is used to describe someone who is never satisfied with what they have.

This proverb describes greed or over-exploitation. It is used to caution someone who, out of liking or benefit, tries to consume or exhaust a resource completely without leaving anything for sustenance or the future, eventually ruining the source itself.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is given a small favor or a bit of hospitality, but they take undue advantage of it and try to dominate or claim ownership of everything. It is used to criticize people who don't know their boundaries or who exhibit overbearing behavior after receiving a simple courtesy.

This expression highlights the universal human attraction towards physical beauty (desire) and material wealth (gold/money). It is often used to suggest that it is human nature to be tempted by these two elements, though it can also be used as a cautionary remark regarding the primary sources of human attachment or downfall.

This proverb highlights how different types of people face losses according to their nature. A talkative or argumentative person loses their credibility or energy through unnecessary talk (meaning their words have no value), while a miser or greedy person eventually loses their entire wealth (bundle) because they are too stingy to spend it wisely or protect it.

This proverb describes a person who is never satisfied with what they are given and constantly looks for more, or someone who remains obsessed with their habitual desires despite having their needs met. It is often used to refer to people who cannot give up their old ways or greed even when provided with comfort.

This expression is used to describe a miser who hoards wealth but never enjoys it himself or shares it with his family, only for it to eventually be taken or enjoyed by complete strangers. It highlights the futility of greed without generosity.

This proverb highlights the immense value and comfort of a simple, wholesome meal like dal-rice (pappannam). It is used to describe how someone is willing to go to great lengths or travel long distances for something they truly cherish or find satisfying, often used in the context of food or simple pleasures.

This proverb describes a situation where someone loses what they already possessed while greedily chasing something extra or trying to manage two things at once. It is used to highlight total loss resulting from poor judgment or over-ambition.

This expression is used to describe a situation where multiple guests or demands arrive simultaneously, making it difficult for the host to manage hospitality. It specifically highlights the coincidence of a welcome guest (the son-in-law) and an unwelcome or demanding guest (the greedy person) appearing at the same moment.

This proverb highlights the persistent nature of greed or the inevitable burden of taxes and expenses. It refers to the tradition of placing a coin on a deceased person's body or paying a fee at the funeral pyre, implying that financial obligations or worldly attachments follow a person until the very end.

This proverb is used to describe how there is always someone more corrupt, powerful, or skilled than the person currently being considered. It emphasizes that no matter how 'big' a thief or a person of influence one thinks they are, there is always a 'bigger fish' who can outdo them in those same actions. It is often used in the context of corruption or greed.

This proverb describes a person who becomes overly anxious or restless even with a small amount of wealth or responsibility. It is used to mock people who lose their peace of mind over trivial possessions or minor successes.

This proverb highlights that some people are so habituated to their professional traits or vices that they cannot overlook them, even for their closest relatives. It is often used to describe inherent professional dishonesty or a person's inability to change their nature regardless of the relationship.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person does all the hard work while someone else takes the credit or behaves as if they are the ones exhausted or responsible. It highlights the injustice of labor and the pretense of involvement by others.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks the common sense or skill to earn a living or work efficiently, yet has high demands or appetites. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot contribute much but expects a lot in return.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities: first, that intense desire or greed often blinds a person to moral or ethical wrongs (doing anything to achieve a goal); second, that a person running a business (like an innkeeper or caterer) is driven by profit and cannot afford to give away food for free or act out of pure merit/charity.

This is a humorous yet cynical proverb used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, calculating, or desperate for tiny gains. It suggests that even in a situation where there is generally nothing to be found, a person might find a microscopic profit (an 'Egani' or small copper coin) by looking in the most unexpected or lowly places. It is often used to mock people who waste time on trivial, petty gains instead of focusing on significant work.

This proverb is used to describe something that is unreliable or short-lived. Just as rain in the autumn season (Sharad Ritu) is unpredictable and often fails to provide lasting benefits to crops, a miser's occasional act of kindness or charity is superficial, inconsistent, and lacks true depth or impact.