దొంగకు చేను పచ్చి అయితే మాత్రమేమి

dongaku chenu pachchi ayite matramemi

Translation

What does it matter to a thief if the field is unripe?

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks responsibility or a sense of ownership. Just as a thief will steal crops regardless of whether they are ready for harvest or if the act ruins the field, an irresponsible or malicious person does not care about the long-term consequences or the damage they cause to others as long as they get what they want.

Related Phrases

Like a thief, stung by a scorpion.

This refers to some criminal who cannot even complain. If a person is doing something criminal, he cannot complain against a natural problem/discomfort he has to face. The moral is that it is better not to commit blunders one may find it difficult to get out of them.

Ganga, saliva, and split legs are inevitable.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe the unavoidable physical transformations and loss of bodily control that come with extreme old age. 'Ganga' refers to the watering of eyes or nose, 'Songa' to drooling, and 'Panga' to the inability to walk straight (bowed legs). It is used to philosophize about the reality that no matter how great one is, the indignities of aging spare no one.

The thief does not care if the corn be not quite ripe.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so desperate or greedy that they do not care about the quality or readiness of what they are taking. Just as a thief steals crops without waiting for them to ripen, a person with bad intentions or urgent greed will seize any opportunity immediately, regardless of whether it is the right time or if the outcome is optimal.

A man is not particular about that which does not belong to him.

A thief is a companion to another thief

This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.

So what if one is an animal in King Ashoka's kingdom?

This expression is used to signify that even the most vulnerable or insignificant beings are treated with dignity, care, and justice under a truly great and benevolent leadership. It refers to Emperor Ashoka's historical reputation for establishing hospitals and welfare for animals, implying that living in a well-governed society is a blessing for everyone regardless of their status.

What is Friday to visitors ? If a married woman goes away from a house on Friday, the Hindus say that the goddess of fortune quits the house with her. The above is an excuse made by a casual visitor, who wished to get away. Lame excuses.

This proverb is used to criticize people who overstay their welcome or visit at inappropriate times without considering the convenience or the specific customs/taboos of the host (as Friday is traditionally a busy or sacred day for rituals in Telugu households). It highlights a lack of common sense or courtesy in guests.

There is no fault for the river Ganga, for drool, or for bending.

This proverb highlights exceptions where things that are usually seen as impure or weak are considered acceptable. 1. The River Ganga remains pure regardless of what flows into it. 2. A child's drool (songa) is never seen as disgusting by parents. 3. Bending (ongu) or bowing before elders or for work is not a sign of inferiority, but a sign of respect or necessity.

Does it mean that being poor, one should be poor in one’s speech as well?

One may give a noble speech, even if one is financially poor. The nobility of one does not depend on one’s wealth or the lack of it.

Just because you hold the vessel, will the hanging basket come down on its own?

This proverb is used to emphasize that things do not happen just by wishing or by superficial actions. Even if you reach out for something, success requires genuine effort or the right conditions to be met; it implies that results don't come for free or without the necessary hard work.

Why should an ascetic/monk fear thieves?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who has nothing to lose has no reason to be afraid. Since an ascetic (Sanyasi) possesses no material wealth, thieves have nothing to steal from them. It is applied to people who are in a position where they are immune to threats or losses because they lack the assets or status that others might target.