చూచినదెల్లా సుంకము, పాశినదెల్లా పంకము
chuchinadella sunkamu, pashinadella pankamu
Every thing that is seen [is subjected to the payment of] duty; and every thing that is rotten [is thrown away in the] mud. Excessive demands.
This proverb describes a state of extreme greed or exploitation where an authority tries to tax or claim everything they lay their eyes on. It also suggests a situation where things have deteriorated to a point where everything useful is being exploited and everything left over is useless waste. It is often used to criticize greedy rulers or systems that leave nothing for the common person.
Related Phrases
తార్చినదానికి టంకము, వెళ్ళినదానికి పగాని.
tarchinadaniki tankamu, vellinadaniki pagani.
A tankam for arranging the match, and a pagani for the actual union.
This proverb refers to commission-based dealings or middleman fees. It describes a situation where a person demands payment at every stage of a process—once for making the introduction or arrangement (Tankam), and another for the successful completion of the task (Pagani). It is often used to critique people who are excessively greedy or those who demand multiple bribes/fees for a single outcome.
వచ్చేదెల్లా రాని, పొయ్యేదెల్లా పోని.
vachchedella rani, poyyedella poni.
Let what is to come come, and what is past be past. Let bygones be bygones.
This expression is used to convey a sense of stoicism, fearlessness, or resignation toward the future. It implies that one is ready to face any consequences, whether they be gains or losses, and is often said when taking a bold risk or accepting an inevitable situation.
నెత్తి మూటకు సుంకమడిగినట్టు
netti mutaku sunkamadiginattu
Like demanding duty for a bundle carried on the head.
This expression is used to describe an unreasonable or cruel demand for money or taxes from someone who is already struggling with a heavy burden or earning a meager living. It highlights the absurdity of taxing the very basic means of survival or small manual labor.
చూస్తే సుంకం, చూడకపోతే బింకం
chuste sunkam, chudakapote binkam
If seen—duty ; if not seen—bragging. The allusion is to a person attempting to smuggle goods through a custom house—If caught, double duty was exacted.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone is forced to pay or follow rules only when they are caught or watched. It describes a person who pretends to be upright or arrogant ('binkam') as long as they aren't caught, but becomes submissive or pays the price ('sunkam') the moment they are under observation or caught red-handed. It is used to mock those whose integrity depends solely on being monitored.
చూచిందెల్లా సుంకము, పాసిందెల్లా పంకము
chuchindella sunkamu, pasindella pankamu
Everything seen is a tax, and everything expired/leftover is mud.
This proverb is used to describe an extremely difficult or exploitative situation where one is taxed or charged for everything they see or do, while everything they possess or produce turns into waste or loses its value. It depicts a state of total loss or high-handedness where there is no benefit remaining for the individual.
దారికి సుంకం చెల్లించమన్నట్లు.
dariki sunkam chellinchamannatlu.
Like asking to pay a tax for the path.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone demands payment or a bribe for something that should be free, accessible, or is a basic right. It highlights unnecessary obstacles or exploitation encountered in a straightforward process.
నక్కను చూచిన వాడెల్లా వేటకాడే
nakkanu chuchina vadella vetakade
Every one who sees a jackal hunts it.
This proverb suggests that merely witnessing an event or possessing a small piece of knowledge doesn't make one an expert. It is used to mock people who boast or pretend to be specialists without having the actual skills or experience required for a task.
పట్టినదెల్లా బంగారం ముట్టినదెల్లా ముత్యం
pattinadella bangaram muttinadella mutyam
Whatever is held turns into gold, whatever is touched turns into a pearl.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lucky or highly successful in every endeavor they undertake. It is similar to the English expression 'The Midas Touch.' It implies that everything the person involves themselves in results in prosperity and success.
కంటే సుంకం, కానకుంటే బింకం
kante sunkam, kanakunte binkam
Tax if seen, pride if not seen.
This proverb describes a person who behaves dishonestly or illegally when they think they can get away with it, but acts submissive or pays up only when caught. It is used to refer to people who evade rules or taxes as long as they aren't observed, but maintain a facade of arrogance or innocence otherwise.
చూచినది పాము, కరిచినది మామిడి టెంక.
chuchinadi pamu, karichinadi mamidi tenka.
What he saw was a snake, that which bit him was a mango stone. After seeing the snake, he had trodden on a split mango stone which nipped his toe. Flabbergasted with fright.
This expression is used to describe situations where a person mistakenly attributes an event or injury to a false cause due to fear or paranoia. It refers to someone who sees a snake, gets startled, and then feels a sharp pain caused by stepping on a mango seed, wrongly concluding that the snake bit them. It highlights how fear can distort one's perception of reality.