ఎంత ఉన్నవాడైనా ఒకసారి ఒకే ముద్ద మింగగలడు.
enta unnavadaina okasari oke mudda mingagaladu.
No matter how rich one is, they can only swallow one morsel at a time.
This proverb emphasizes human limitations and the futility of excessive greed. It means that despite having immense wealth or resources, a person's basic physical needs and capacities remain the same as anyone else's. It is used to teach contentment and to remind people that wealth doesn't change fundamental human nature or the ability to consume more than what is naturally possible.
Related Phrases
పిడుగుకు బిడ్డకు ఒకే మంత్రమా?
piduguku biddaku oke mantrama?
Is there the same mantra for a lightning bolt and a child?
This expression is used to highlight that different problems require different solutions. It suggests that one cannot apply the same logic, treatment, or punishment to vastly different situations—specifically contrasting something as powerful and destructive as a lightning bolt (pidugu) with something as delicate as a child (bidda).
నాలుక ఉన్నవాడు నాలుగు దిక్కులు తిరుగగలడు
naluka unnavadu nalugu dikkulu tirugagaladu
One who has a tongue can travel in all four directions.
This proverb emphasizes the power of communication. It suggests that a person who can speak well, ask questions, and interact with others can navigate through any situation or place in the world without getting lost or stuck. Communication skills and the ability to seek help are key to survival and success.
గూద దిగిన పేరంటాలు అత్తగారింట ఉన్నా ఒకటే, అమ్మగారింట ఉన్నా ఒకటే!
guda digina perantalu attagarinta unna okate, ammagarinta unna okate!
A guest who has lost her dignity stays the same whether she is at her mother-in-law's house or her mother's house!
This proverb describes a situation where a person has lost their respect or status to such an extent that their location or surroundings no longer matter. It is used to point out that once a person's reputation is ruined or they have become shameless, they will be treated with the same indifference or contempt everywhere.
ఉన్నవాడు ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే, లేనివాడూ ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే
unnavadu unnavadike pette, lenivadu unnavadike pette
The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.
This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.
ఊరక ఉండలేని నా మొగుడు ఊళ్ళో ఉన్నా ఒకటే, దండులో ఉన్నా ఒకటే
uraka undaleni na mogudu ullo unna okate, dandulo unna okate
My useless husband being in the village or being in the army is one and the same.
This proverb describes a person who is so incompetent or lazy that their presence or absence makes no difference. It is used to mock someone whose contribution to a task or society is nil, regardless of the situation they are in.
గుడ్డి కన్ను మూసినా ఒకటే, తెరచినా ఒకటే
guddi kannu musina okate, terachina okate
Whether a blind eye is closed or open, it is all the same.
This expression is used to describe a person or a thing that is completely useless or ineffective. It suggests that the presence or absence of certain actions/tools doesn't matter when the core functionality is missing. It is often used to refer to someone who is indifferent to what is happening around them or an effort that yields no result regardless of the approach.
ముసలి ఆవు పేడ ముడ్డిలో ఉన్నా ఒకటే, దొడ్లో ఉన్నా ఒకటే.
musali avu peda muddilo unna okate, dodlo unna okate.
Whether an old cow's dung is still inside it or in the shed, it is all the same.
This proverb refers to someone or something that has become so old or useless that their actions, presence, or contributions no longer make any practical difference to the situation. It is used to describe a state of total insignificance or irrelevance.
బుడ్డకూ, భూతానికీ ఒకే మంత్రమా
buddaku, bhutaniki oke mantrama
Is it the same spell for a small blister and a giant ghost?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who applies the same simple solution to problems of vastly different scales. It suggests that a small remedy (suitable for a 'budda' or small boil) is insufficient for a massive problem (a 'bhutam' or ghost), highlighting the need for proportional responses.
పొదుగులో ఉన్నా ఒకటే, దుత్తలో ఉన్నా ఒకటే
podugulo unna okate, duttalo unna okate
It is the same whether it is in the udder or in the pot.
This expression refers to a state of complacency or lack of urgency regarding a resource that is already secured or 'at hand'. It is used to describe a situation where one feels there is no difference between a resource being in its source (like milk in an udder) or collected (like milk in a pot), implying that since it belongs to them, they can access it whenever they want, often leading to laziness or delayed action.
గుంటూరు పొగాకు గూట్లో ఉన్నా ఒకటే, నోట్లో ఉన్నా ఒకటే
gunturu pogaku gutlo unna okate, notlo unna okate
Guntur tobacco is the same whether it is in the niche or in the mouth.
This proverb highlights the extremely strong and pungent nature of Guntur tobacco. It suggests that its presence is so powerful that its smell or effect is felt regardless of whether it is stored away or being consumed. In a broader sense, it refers to something or someone whose influence or reputation is so pervasive that it cannot be ignored, regardless of its position.