అతిలోభికి అడుగనివాడే పండితుడు

atilobhiki aduganivade panditudu

Translation

To an extreme miser, the one who doesn't ask is a scholar.

Meaning

This proverb describes the nature of stingy people who view anyone who doesn't request money or favors as wise or respectable. It is used to mock misers who judge a person's character solely based on whether they are a financial burden to them or not.

Related Phrases

A miser suffers loss in four ways

This proverb explains that a miser, in an attempt to save small amounts of money, often ends up facing much larger losses or multiple disadvantages. It is used to highlight how extreme stinginess can backfire, leading to poor quality of life, loss of reputation, and eventual financial or material waste.

There is nothing a lazy person doesn't wish for, and nothing a hater doesn't say.

This proverb describes two types of people: a lazy person (opani vaadu) who desires everything without wanting to work for it, and a spiteful person (ollani vaadu) who will resort to any lie or criticism against someone they dislike. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of wanting results without effort or the tendency of people to badmouth those they are biased against.

The one who digs a pit will fall into it himself.

This proverb is equivalent to the English saying 'to dig one's own grave' or 'what goes around comes around.' It suggests that people who plot harm against others will eventually be trapped by their own malicious schemes or face the consequences of their own wrongdoings.

The day the crop ripens is the festival day.

This expression is used to convey that the real celebration or reward occurs only when efforts yield fruit. It emphasizes that success and prosperity are the true causes for celebration, rather than just the arrival of a calendar date.

There is nothing which an invalid will not ask for; and there is nothing which an envious man will not say.

This proverb describes human nature regarding laziness and jealousy. It implies that a person who is unable or unwilling to work (incapable) often makes grand demands or wishes for things without effort, while a person who cannot tolerate others' success (envious) will spread rumors or say anything to belittle them. It is used to criticize those who talk big but do nothing, or those who gossip out of spite.

A fight in the neighbor's house is as festive as a celebration; a homeless man is one who has renounced other women.

This proverb is a sarcastic take on human nature and forced virtues. The first part highlights the human tendency to find entertainment in others' domestic troubles. The second part mocks people who claim to be virtuous only because they lack the opportunity to be otherwise; a man with no house cannot host or entertain, so his 'abstinence' is due to necessity rather than character.

One who does not even allow another to ask is the greatest miser.

This expression describes an extreme level of stinginess. While a normal miser might refuse a request for help, a 'penulobhi' (great miser) creates an atmosphere or acts in a way that prevents a person from even voicing their need or asking for a favor in the first place.

To an extremely miserly king, the one who doesn't ask for anything is the greatest scholar.

This proverb describes the nature of stingy people. A miser appreciates those who do not demand money or favors, often valuing them more than those with actual merit. It is used to mock people who measure others' worth based on how little they cost or ask for.

A miser suffers loss on all sides. False economy. A stingy man is always poor. (French.)

This proverb highlights that a greedy or stingy person often ends up losing more than they save. Due to their excessive desire to save money, they might compromise on quality, health, or relationships, eventually leading to bigger financial or personal losses from multiple directions.

A half-scholar is more dangerous than an uneducated person.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.' It suggests that someone who possesses incomplete or superficial knowledge but thinks they are an expert is more likely to cause harm or make mistakes than someone who admits to knowing nothing at all.