Selfishness
ఊరి దగ్గరి చేనుకు అందరూ దొంగలే.
uri daggari chenuku andaru dongale.
For a field near the village, everyone is a thief.
This proverb refers to a situation where a resource or property is easily accessible to everyone, leading to its exploitation or misuse. When something is conveniently located for the public, people tend to take small liberties or steal from it, thinking their minor action won't be noticed, but collectively it leads to significant loss for the owner.
ఇచ్చింది ఇస్తే, కరణాన్ని కాదు అన్నాడట
ichchindi iste, karananni kadu annadata
When given what was owed, he claimed he never said no to the village accountant (Karanam).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is uncooperative, stubborn, or evasive about a commitment, but immediately changes their tone and pretends they were always willing to comply once they receive an incentive or are held accountable. It highlights hypocrisy and opportunistic behavior.
ఈ అన్నది ఈ ఇంటలేదు. 'తే' అన్నది తరతరాలుగా వస్తున్నది.
i annadi i intaledu. te annadi tarataraluga vastunnadi.
The word 'Give' is not in this house. The word 'Bring' has been coming for generations.
This proverb is used to describe an extremely stingy or selfish person or family. It highlights a nature where they are always ready to take or receive from others ('Bring'), but never willing to offer or give anything back ('Give').
దచ్చిన చుట్టం వన్నెచీర కేడ్చినదట
dachchina chuttam vannechira kedchinadata
A relative who came to a funeral cried for a colorful saree.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves selfishly or inappropriately in a serious situation. It refers to a person who attends a funeral (a place of mourning) but is more concerned about material things or personal gains, like wanting a beautiful saree, rather than showing sympathy for the deceased.
తనకు కానిది కూసు ముండ
tanaku kanidi kusu munda
One that is not useful to oneself is a sitting widow
This expression is used to describe a person's tendency to devalue or speak ill of something simply because they cannot have it or it is of no use to them. It is similar to the 'sour grapes' metaphor, where an individual criticizes or belittles an object or opportunity out of spite or envy when it is beyond their reach.
పక్కింటి పోట్లాట, పండగంత వేడుక
pakkinti potlata, pandaganta veduka
A fight in the neighbor's house is as festive as a celebration.
This expression describes the human tendency to find entertainment or schadenfreude in the private conflicts or troubles of others. It is used to remark on people who enjoy gossiping or watching drama unfold in their neighborhood instead of minding their own business.
తన చావు జలప్రళయం
tana chavu jalapralayam
One's own death is like the great deluge.
This proverb is used to describe a selfish or narrow perspective where a person feels that if they perish, the whole world might as well end. It refers to individuals who believe that the world only exists as long as they do, or those who don't care about what happens to others after they are gone.
ఆకు నీదే, పొగాకు నీదే పటేలా ఇంగలం పెట్టుకో
aku nide, pogaku nide patela ingalam pettuko
The leaf is yours, the tobacco is yours, Patel! Now put the coal in it yourself.
This expression describes a situation where one person provides all the materials or resources for a task, but the other person (often someone in power or an entitled person) still expects the provider to do all the work or serve them. It is used to mock someone's extreme laziness or their habit of taking others for granted.
ఒరుపు కోరుస్తారుగాని తడుపుకోర్వరు
orupu korustarugani tadupukorvaru
They desire the rub/polishing, but cannot bear the wetting.
This proverb is used to describe people who desire the end results, status, or benefits of a difficult process but are unwilling to endure the hard work, sacrifice, or struggles (the 'wetting') required to achieve them. It is often applied to those who want the glory without the grind.
ఈవలి గట్టున ఉండే వారికి ఆవలి గట్టు పచ్చన.
ivali gattuna unde variki avali gattu pachchana.
To those on this bank, the opposite bank looks green.
This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'The grass is always greener on the other side.' It is used to describe the human tendency to be dissatisfied with one's own circumstances while perceiving the situations of others as superior or more attractive.
ఇసుమంత చోటిస్తే ఇల్లంతా నాదే అన్నట్లు
isumanta chotiste illanta nade annatlu
Given a tiny bit of space, claiming the whole house as one's own.
This proverb is used to describe a person who takes undue advantage of someone's kindness or hospitality. It refers to a situation where a small favor is granted, but the recipient attempts to seize complete control or overstay their welcome, similar to the English idiom 'Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.'
ఉట్టి మీద ఆశ, పుట్టి మీద రోత
utti mida asha, putti mida rota
Desire for the hanging pot, but disgust for the granary.
This expression describes a person who desires something small or unattainable (represented by 'Utti', a hanging net for pots) while neglecting or showing disdain for something abundant and valuable already in their possession (represented by 'Putti', a large grain measurement/granary). It is used to mock those who lack a sense of priority or fail to appreciate their own resources.
ఇల్లు కాలుతుంటే చుట్ట కాల్చుకున్నాడట
illu kalutunte chutta kalchukunnadata
When the house was on fire, he tried to light his cigar with it.
This proverb is used to describe an extremely selfish or opportunistic person who tries to find a small personal benefit even in a situation of great disaster or someone else's misery. It highlights a lack of empathy and a focus on trivial personal needs during a crisis.
అవసరానికి ఆకులో పెట్టు, నాకు నేలను పెట్టు.
avasaraniki akulo pettu, naku nelanu pettu.
Give the man who is in a hurry his food on a leaf, but give me mine on the floor. The food of Hindus is ordinarily served on a large leaf or several small leaves sewn together. Applied to a person wishing to have something done for himself in great haste, before others are attended to.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of selfish people who seek help only when they are in need. It describes a situation where someone treats you with respect (serving on a leaf) when they want something from you, but treats you with disregard (serving on the floor) once their need is met.
ఇస్తే పెళ్లి, ఇవ్వకపోతే పెటాకులు
iste pelli, ivvakapote petakulu
If given, a wedding; if not, crackers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely demanding or fickle. It implies that if things go their way, they will celebrate (a wedding), but if they don't get what they want, they will create chaos or break relationships (crackers/explosions). It describes an 'all or nothing' or 'my way or the highway' attitude.
చావుకు పెడితే గాని, లంఖణాలకు తెగదు
chavuku pedite gani, lankhanalaku tegadu
He won't fast unless told that his life is in danger.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person only agrees to a smaller compromise or a difficult task when they are faced with a much more extreme or life-threatening situation. It signifies that people often resist minor sacrifices until they realize the alternative is far worse.
అమ్మ పెట్టదు, అడుక్కుతిననివ్వదు
amma pettadu, adukkutinanivvadu
Mother doesn't serve food, nor does she let one beg for it.
This expression describes a dog-in-the-manger situation where someone neither helps you themselves nor allows you to seek help or opportunities from other sources. It is used to criticize people who obstruct others' progress while providing no support of their own.
ఇష్టారాజ్యం, భరతరాజ్యం
ishtarajyam, bharatarajyam
Personal kingdom, Bharata's kingdom
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone acts according to their own whims and fancies without any restraint or regard for rules. It refers to someone behaving as if they are the sole authority or owner of a place, doing whatever they please.
ఇంటి వెనకాల ఇంగువ చెట్టు ఎంత కోసినా గుప్పెడు కొదువ
inti venakala inguva chettu enta kosina guppedu koduva
An asafoetida tree behind the house; no matter how much you cut, it's still a handful short.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has a valuable resource or skill close to them, yet they act as if they are in constant need or fail to utilize it effectively. It signifies having plenty at hand but still complaining about a perceived shortage.
ఎంచివేస్తే ఆరి తరుగుతుందా?
enchiveste ari tarugutunda?
Will the quantity decrease if you count them?
This expression is used when someone is reluctant to share or reveal a large quantity of items out of fear that counting or showcasing them will somehow diminish their value or amount. It highlights the irrationality of being overly secretive or stingy when nothing is actually lost by being transparent or acknowledging the truth.