ఢిల్లీకి ఢిల్లీ, పల్లెకు పల్లె

dhilliki dhilli, palleku palle

Translation

Delhi to Delhi, village to village. Great people with great, little with little.

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that every place or person has their own distinct importance, status, and rules. It is used to suggest that one should not compare things that are fundamentally different in scale or nature, or to imply that everyone is a 'king' in their own territory.

Related Phrases

Even if one is the king of Delhi, he is still a son to his mother.

This proverb is used to signify that no matter how powerful, wealthy, or high-ranking a person becomes in the outside world, their relationship and status remain humble and basic within the family, especially towards their parents. It emphasizes humility and the importance of roots.

Do not pick up old habits, do not become a thief to the village.

This is an advisory saying often used to warn someone against repeating past mistakes or returning to a life of dishonesty. It emphasizes maintaining one's reputation and integrity within a community. In a broader sense, it means 'don't revert to your bad old ways and don't betray the trust of those around you'.

Even if she is the daughter of the Emperor of Delhi, she is subordinate to the groom.

This proverb highlights traditional social dynamics where a bride, regardless of her high status or wealthy background, is expected to respect her husband and his family. It is used to suggest that personal status does not override the fundamental roles within a marriage or a specific relationship context.

Even if he is the King of Delhi, he is still a son to his mother.

This proverb emphasizes that no matter how powerful, wealthy, or successful a person becomes in the world, their status remains the same within the family, especially towards their mother. It is used to teach humility and to remind people that their roots and primary relationships remain unchanged by worldly achievements.

If you have money, you enjoy Delhi-like luxuries; if you don't have money, you face hardships/destitution.

This expression highlights the power of wealth in determining social status and comfort. It contrasts the extreme luxury one can enjoy with money against the struggle and lack of basic respect one faces in poverty.

A corn on the foot, a hole in the vessel.

This expression is used to describe a situation where things are perfectly matched in their flaws or shortcomings. It implies that two things are equally useless or problematic, often used to mock an pair or a situation where two people are equally incompetent or ill-suited.

Like selling milk in Repalle.

This proverb refers to a futile or redundant effort, such as trying to sell a product in a place where it is already abundant. Since Repalle (associated with Lord Krishna's village) was a town of cowherds with an abundance of milk, trying to sell milk there would be foolish and unprofitable.

Like going all the way to Delhi just to bring back an onion.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in an enormous amount of effort, time, or resources, only to achieve a very trivial or insignificant result. It highlights the disproportion between the struggle and the outcome.

He talks like Malli and works like Yelli. Malli and Yelli are women's names. The former means ' again' the latter ' tomorrow.' Applied to a man who is great in words, but slow in action. Say well, and do well end with one letter ; Say well is good, but do well is better.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks a lot and makes big promises but is completely absent or lazy when it is actually time to do the work. It contrasts a talkative nature with a lack of productivity.

Leadership by a child and friendship with a villager.

This expression highlights situations that are likely to result in chaos, inefficiency, or unnecessary complications. 'Leadership by a child' refers to giving authority to someone immature or inexperienced, leading to poor decisions. 'Friendship with a villager' (in the context of this traditional proverb) implies dealing with someone who might be stubborn, narrow-minded, or lacking social grace. It is used to caution against placing responsibility in the wrong hands or entering into difficult associations.