ఇచ్చిన దాతకు ఒక్క దణ్ణం, నిలిచిన లోభికి వేయి దణ్ణాలు
ichchina dataku okka dannam, nilichina lobhiki veyi dannalu
One bow to the donor who gives, a thousand bows to the miser who stays.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe the frustration of dealing with a miser. While a donor gives what is asked and moves on, a person who refuses to give (a miser) often stays back and demands more attention, time, or negotiation, ironically requiring more 'bows' or effort to deal with than the generous person.
Related Phrases
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్లు.
palaku vachchi munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for milk but hiding the vessel.
This proverb is used to describe a person who approaches someone for help or with a specific purpose but hesitates to speak their mind or hides their true intentions due to shyness, false pride, or unnecessary secrecy. It highlights the irony of wanting something while being too secretive to ask for it.
గోచిపాతకు మించిన దరిద్రం లేదు
gochipataku minchina daridram ledu
There is no poverty greater than wearing a loincloth.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme or absolute poverty where one possesses nothing but the barest minimum of clothing (a loincloth). It highlights the lowest point of financial or material destitution.
గతించిన దానికి చింతించిన ఏల
gatinchina daniki chintinchina ela
Why worry about that which has already passed?
This expression is used to advise someone against dwelling on the past or mourning over things that cannot be changed. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'There is no use crying over spilled milk.' It encourages focusing on the future instead of wasting energy on past mistakes or misfortunes.
గడచిన దానికి వగచిన లాభమేమి?
gadachina daniki vagachina labhamemi?
What is the use of grieving over what has passed?
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'no use crying over spilled milk.' It suggests that once something has happened, worrying or crying about it is futile; instead, one should focus on the future or find a solution.
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్టు
palaku vachchi munta dachinattu
Begging for milk and hiding his cup.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone approaches another person for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their actual need. It highlights the irony of intending to ask for something while concealing the very tool or reason needed to receive it.
Poverty and pride.
హస్తీ చచ్చినా దంతాలు దొరికితే చాలు
hasti chachchina dantalu dorikite chalu
Even if the elephant dies, it is enough if the tusks are found.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite a great loss or failure, something of significant value is still recovered. It highlights the idea that even in destruction, some inherent worth remains. It is often applied to wealthy people or great institutions that, even when ruined, still retain some of their former glory or assets.
దొరలు ఇచ్చిన పాలుకన్నా ధరణి ఇచ్చిన పాలు మేలు.
doralu ichchina palukanna dharani ichchina palu melu.
The share given by the earth is better than that given by the government. Free lands are better when fertile, than shares of grain allotted by government.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the bounty of nature over patronage from the powerful. It suggests that what one earns through honest labor on their own land is superior and more sustainable than gifts or favors received from those in power, which often come with conditions or strings attached.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
ముట్లుడిగిన దానికి మగబిడ్డ పుట్టినట్లు
mutludigina daniki magabidda puttinatlu
Like a woman who has stopped menstruating giving birth to a male child.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something completely unexpected or deemed impossible suddenly happens. It refers to a stroke of extreme good luck or a miraculous outcome occurring long after hope has been abandoned.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'