అల్పుడికి ఐశ్వర్యం వస్తే అర్ధరాత్రి గొడుగు పట్టమన్నాడట

alpudiki aishvaryam vaste ardharatri godugu pattamannadata

Translation

When a mean person gains wealth, he asks for an umbrella to be held over him at midnight.

Meaning

This proverb describes how people of low character or small-mindedness behave arrogantly and show off excessively when they suddenly acquire wealth or power. It highlights their lack of humility and their tendency to make ridiculous demands just to display their new status.

Related Phrases

When an unimportant relative arrived, they were asked to hold an old winnowing basket as an umbrella.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is treated with total disregard or lack of respect because they are perceived as unimportant or overly familiar. It is used when hospitality is minimal or insulting, or when someone is given a useless or broken item instead of a proper one due to their low status in the eyes of the host.

The gruel at one's parental home is better than the riches at the in-laws' house.

This proverb emphasizes that freedom, self-respect, and the unconditional love found in one's birth home are far more valuable than the material wealth and luxury in a place where one might feel restricted or secondary. It is used to highlight that comfort and peace of mind are superior to status or money.

When a mean person gains wealth, he asks for an umbrella to be held over him even at midnight.

This proverb describes the behavior of people who lack character or maturity when they suddenly acquire wealth or power. It highlights their tendency to engage in showy, arrogant, and illogical displays of status to impress others, even when it makes no sense (like using an umbrella at night).

When fortune smiled on a mean person, he ordered an umbrella to be brought at midnight. An umbrella is a sign of rank and authority. Set a beggar on horseback, he'll ride to the devil. There is no pride like that of a beggar grown rich. (French.)

This proverb describes how people with shallow character or low maturity behave arrogantly and make absurd, irrational demands when they suddenly acquire wealth or power. It is used to critique someone who is showing off their newfound status in a foolish or boastful manner.

The neorich person demands an umbrella to be held for him even at night.

A person, who acquires riches suddenly, makes unreasonable demands, as his riches go to his head and make him arrogant. One should be poised and maintain emotional balance, when fortune smiles on him.

There is no limit to riches.

This expression refers to the infinite nature of human desire for wealth or the fact that there is no limit to how much riches one can accumulate. It is often used to emphasize that material prosperity is boundless, or conversely, that the pursuit of wealth can be never-ending and potentially unsatisfying.

Being debt-free is a form of wealth.

This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind and financial security that comes from not owing money to anyone. It suggests that even if one doesn't have vast riches, living without debt is a great luxury and success in itself.

When wealth comes newly, he asked to hold an umbrella at midnight

This proverb describes a person who displays sudden, excessive, and foolish vanity or arrogance upon acquiring new wealth or status. It is used to mock someone who shows off their riches in inappropriate or unnecessary situations, much like how holding an umbrella at midnight (when there is no sun) is pointless and done only for display.

When new wealth arrived, he asked for an umbrella to be held even at midnight.

This proverb describes the behavior of people who suddenly acquire wealth or power and display it through ridiculous, arrogant, or unnecessary ostentation. It is used to mock those who act pretentiously because they are not used to their new status.

Grass-like prosperity.

This expression refers to wealth or prosperity that is temporary and unstable. Just as a tiny sprout is fragile or a spark can be extinguished quickly, 'chigurinta aishwaryam' describes riches that come and go very fast, cautioning against pride or over-reliance on material success.

( For Chikilinta see Chigirinta in No. 872. )