గుడ్డి గుణం ఎరుగదు, వడ్డి మొన ఎరుగదు

guddi gunam erugadu, vaddi mona erugadu

Translation

Blindness knows no quality; interest (usury) knows no tip (limit).

Meaning

This proverb highlights two relentless or indifferent states. Just as a blind person cannot perceive the quality or beauty of something, a moneylender or the concept of interest (interest on debt) is indifferent to the struggles of the debtor and only cares about accumulation. It is used to describe situations where someone acts without empathy or when a burden keeps growing regardless of the circumstances.

Related Phrases

A woman who has already eaten cold leftovers cannot understand her husband's hunger.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already comfortable, satisfied, or has their needs met fails to empathize with the struggles or urgency of others. It highlights a lack of empathy or perspective when one is in a privileged or secure position compared to those around them.

Do not trust the needle-worker, the hammer-worker, or the weaver.

This is a traditional proverb highlighting a belief that certain professions (tailors, blacksmiths/goldsmiths, and weavers) are prone to delaying work or withholding material. It suggests being cautious with their promises regarding deadlines and material honesty.

Hunger knows no taste, sleep knows no comfort.

When someone is truly hungry, they don't care about the taste or quality of the food; they just want to eat. Similarly, when someone is exhausted and needs sleep, they don't care about the comfort or luxury of the bed; they can sleep anywhere. This expression is used to highlight that basic survival needs override preferences or luxuries.

Desire knows no shame, and sleep knows no comfort.

This proverb highlights two human tendencies: when a person is consumed by strong desire or greed, they lose their sense of dignity or shame to achieve what they want. Similarly, when a person is extremely tired or sleepy, they do not care about the quality of the bed or surroundings; they can fall asleep anywhere regardless of comfort.

The road does not know authority; sleep does not know luxury.

This proverb highlights that certain natural states or circumstances are indifferent to status or comfort. Traveling on a road requires effort regardless of one's social standing (authority), and when a person is truly exhausted, they will fall asleep regardless of how comfortable the bed is.

The person who is thin (destitute) knows no shame, and the one who is fat (arrogant/powerful) knows no relationship.

This proverb describes how extreme circumstances change human behavior. A person who is starving or in desperate poverty loses their sense of shame because survival becomes their only priority. Conversely, a person who is blinded by wealth, power, or arrogance often ignores social boundaries, ethics, and family ties (kinship). It is used to comment on how desperation and vanity can both erode a person's character.

Like the mortar going to the drum to complain about its woes

This expression is used when a person who is already suffering seeks help or sympathy from someone who is suffering even more. While a mortar (rolu) is hit on one side, a drum (maddela) is beaten on both sides, implying that the person being approached has more troubles than the one complaining.

Hunger doesn't know taste, sleep doesn't know comfort, and love doesn't know shame.

This proverb highlights how basic instincts and strong emotions override physical conditions or social norms. When a person is extremely hungry, they don't care about the taste of the food; when extremely tired, they don't need a soft bed; and when in love, they lose their sense of inhibition or shame.

The newly rich Dasari (monk) doesn't know the time of the day.

This proverb describes a person who has recently acquired wealth or power and displays excessive arrogance or lacks the wisdom to handle it. It is used to mock someone who behaves pretentiously or forgets their roots due to sudden prosperity.

A woman who eats three meals a day does not understand her husband's hunger.

This proverb describes a situation where a person who is comfortable or has their needs fulfilled fails to empathize with the struggles or suffering of others. It is used to criticize lack of empathy or selfishness in those who are privileged.