బంగారు పొల్లు ఉంటుంది కానీ మనిషి పొల్లు ఉండదు

bangaru pollu untundi kani manishi pollu undadu

Translation

There is dross in gold, but there is no defect in man.

Meaning

This expression is used to highlight the inherent value and dignity of a human being. It suggests that while even a precious metal like gold might contain impurities or waste (pollu), a person's life and character should be regarded as invaluable and without waste. It is often used to emphasize human worth over material wealth.

Related Phrases

A crop that ripened but turned out to be hollow husks.

This expression describes a situation where one puts in immense effort and reaches the final stage of success, only to face total failure or discover that the result is worthless. It is used to describe wasted labor, high expectations leading to disappointment, or a project that fails at the very last moment.

There is no medicine for the bite of a man. The bite of an enraged man is said to be fatally poisonous.

This proverb refers to the malicious nature of human behavior, specifically betrayal, gossip, or cruelty. While there are remedies for snake bites or animal wounds, the damage caused by a person's words or actions can be irreparable and impossible to heal with physical medicine.

Evil may be predicted to the mother or to the child, but will any harm come to the midwife?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person in charge or a middleman remains safe and unaffected while the primary parties involved face all the risks and consequences. It highlights the immunity or lack of accountability of a facilitator when things go wrong for those they are serving.

The house is full of fowls, but there's not a cock to crow.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there are many resources or people available, but not a single one is capable of performing a specific, essential task or taking leadership when needed. It highlights the irony of quantity over quality or utility.

Said of useless people.

The dinner is quite ready, the paddy merely requires another drying.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone claims to be finished with a large task, yet a fundamental, time-consuming preliminary step is still incomplete. It highlights a comical or ironic lack of logic, where the final result is impossible because the starting materials aren't even ready yet.

Paddy is an Anglo Indian term for rice in the husk. A hasty and ridiculous answer.

Gold can become waste (dross), but a human is never waste.

This proverb emphasizes human value over material wealth. It suggests that while physical gold might lose its purity or value, a person's worth, character, and potential are enduring and should never be dismissed as useless. It is used to remind others to treat people with dignity regardless of their financial status.

Like trying to get rice by pounding empty husk.

This proverb describes a futile or useless effort. Just as pounding empty grain husks (chaff) will never yield rice regardless of how much labor is put in, this expression is used when someone is wasting time on a task that has no possibility of a productive outcome.

There is a remedy for disease, but is there a remedy for fate?

This proverb is used to express that while physical ailments or problems can be cured with medicine or effort, the outcomes of destiny or fate are inevitable and beyond human control. It is often said when someone faces an unavoidable misfortune despite taking all precautions.

Like pounding a bundle of chaff and gathering it

This expression refers to performing a useless or futile task that yields no results despite putting in a lot of hard work. Just as pounding husks/chaff produces no grain, it describes actions that are a complete waste of time and effort.

Gold may have impurities, but this person has none.

This expression is used to describe a person of impeccable character and unwavering integrity. It suggests that while even a precious metal like gold might have flaws or dross, the person being referred to is absolutely perfect in their conduct and honesty.