ఎక్కువైన సొమ్ము బ్రహ్మలకిత్తునా, బట్లకిత్తునా
ekkuvaina sommu brahmalakittuna, batlakittuna
Should I give the excess money to Brahmins or to the bards (Bhats)?
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone who actually has nothing (or is in debt) talks grandly about how to spend non-existent surplus wealth. It highlights the absurdity of worrying about distributing profits when one is actually facing losses.
Related Phrases
జిల్లేడు చెట్టున పారిజాతములు పుట్టునా?
jilledu chettuna parijatamulu puttuna?
Will Pārijāta flowers grow on a Jillēḍu tree?
This proverb is used to express that good or noble qualities cannot be expected from someone or something that is inherently inferior or bad. Just as a fragrant, divine flower like Parijata cannot grow on a toxic, milky weed like Jilledu (Calotropis), one cannot expect greatness from a base origin or nature.
Pārijāta is the Nyctanthes Arbor Tristis, a very celebrated tree said to grow in Svarga, Indra's paradise (W. Elliot). Jillēḍu is the Calotropes Gigantea.
చెడి బ్రతికిన వాని శౌర్యమెక్కున, బ్రతికి చెడినవానికి బాధలు ఎక్కున
chedi bratikina vani shauryamekkuna, bratiki chedinavaniki badhalu ekkuna
Does the one who rose from ruin have more courage, or does the one who fell from prosperity have more sorrows?
This proverb highlights the contrast between two life experiences: resilience and loss. It suggests that a person who has overcome failure (Chedi Brathikinavaadu) gains immense strength and bravery, whereas a person who has fallen from a high status (Brathiki Chedinavaadu) suffers from deep emotional pain and many hardships. It is often used to describe the psychological state of people based on their life's trajectory.
తన సొమ్ము అల్లం, పరవారి సొమ్ము బెల్లం
tana sommu allam, paravari sommu bellam
One's own money is ginger, others' money is jaggery
This proverb describes a selfish or miserly person who finds it painful to spend their own money (comparing it to the pungent, sharp taste of ginger) but finds great sweetness and pleasure in spending or using others' resources (comparing it to the sweetness of jaggery).
కిట్టులో కిట్టు కలిస్తే కంపేడకు పోతుంది
kittulo kittu kaliste kampedaku potundi
If grease mixes with grease, it will go up to the thorn-fence.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two similar, often cunning or wicked people, join forces. It suggests that their combined influence or conspiracy will spread far and wide, or that their secret dealings will eventually become a messy public affair. It is often used to mock the 'partnership' of two untrustworthy individuals.
పరుల సొమ్ము పేలపిండి, తన సొమ్ము దేవుడి సొమ్ము
parula sommu pelapindi, tana sommu devudi sommu
The property of others is Pêlapindi, his own property is the property of God. It is kept as sacred as that which has been offered to the deity.— Pêlapindi is flour made of fried grain.
This proverb describes a hypocritical and selfish attitude where a person treats others' belongings as cheap or easily disposable while considering their own possessions as sacred and untouchable. It is used to criticize people who are extravagant with others' money but extremely stingy with their own.
ఎక్కిరించబోయి వెల్లకిత్తలా పడ్డాడట
ekkirinchaboyi vellakittala paddadata
He went to mock, and fell on his back. He went out shearing and he came home shorn. The biter bit.
This expression describes a situation where someone attempts to make fun of or sabotage another person, but ends up facing an embarrassing failure or bringing trouble upon themselves instead. It is similar to the English proverb 'The tables turned' or 'To be hoist with one's own petard'.
తన సొమ్ము సోమవారం, మంది సొమ్ము మంగళవారం.
tana sommu somavaram, mandi sommu mangalavaram.
One's own money is Monday, others' money is Tuesday.
This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (saving it for later), but very reckless or eager when spending money belonging to others. It is used to criticize someone who takes advantage of others' generosity while being miserly themselves.
జీవం తక్కువ, జీతం ఎక్కువ
jivam takkuva, jitam ekkuva
Life is less, salary is more
This expression refers to a situation where a job or a person involves very little physical effort or productivity, yet receives a high salary or compensation. It is often used to comment on laziness or overpaid positions where the output does not justify the pay.
పరుల సొమ్ము పాపిష్టి సొమ్ము
parula sommu papishti sommu
Others' wealth is sinful wealth
This proverb warns that taking or coveting wealth that belongs to others brings bad luck or misfortune. It emphasizes that ill-gotten gains or money belonging to others will never bring true happiness or prosperity to the one who takes it, often used to teach integrity and honesty.
తన సొమ్ము కాసుబెట్టడుగాని, పరులసొమ్ము హరింప బ్రహ్మకాయ.
tana sommu kasubettadugani, parulasommu harimpa brahmakaya.
He won't spend even a penny of his own, but for seizing others' wealth, he is a master.
This expression describes a person who is extremely stingy when it comes to spending their own money, yet is incredibly greedy and skilled at misappropriating or consuming the resources of others. It is used to criticize hypocritical greed or exploitative behavior.