ఇంటదానికి ఇత్తడి గొలుసు, బజారుదానికి బంగారు గొలుసు

intadaniki ittadi golusu, bajarudaniki bangaru golusu

Translation

A brass chain for the wife at home, and a gold chain for the woman in the street.

Meaning

This proverb is used to criticize someone who neglects or mistreats their own family or those close to them while showing excessive generosity or kindness to outsiders and strangers to gain social prestige or out of misplaced priorities.

Related Phrases

For my people saying no, for my coming here, and for this fate, he said to tie it (the knot) just like this.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a poor choice against the advice of well-wishers and then tries to justify the unfortunate consequences as if they were intended or deserved. It highlights the irony of stubbornly sticking to a bad decision even when it results in hardship.

Even if you pour it from a height, can brass ever become gold?

This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's inherent nature or character cannot be changed by superficial actions or outward shows. Just as brass cannot turn into gold regardless of how it is handled or presented, a person lacking integrity cannot truly become noble just by acting the part.

For the wedding of an uncouth man, a stick serves as the musical instrument.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a simple or crude person receives a treatment or celebration that is equally crude or low-quality. It suggests that the arrangements or surroundings match the character or status of the person involved.

Balusu (shrub) for the rising times, Mango for the falling times.

This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of life and fortune. It suggests that during prosperous times (rising), one might settle for humble or simple things like the Balusu plant, but when times are difficult or declining (falling), one seeks the sweetness or luxury of a Mango to cope. Alternatively, it is used to describe how people's preferences or the availability of resources change according to their current life situation or seasons.

The rich man's ring is gold; the poor man's ring is brass.

This proverb highlights societal bias and how people's perceptions change based on a person's financial status. It means that if a wealthy person does or says something, it is highly valued and respected (like gold), but if a poor person does the exact same thing, it is disregarded or seen as cheap (like brass).

Golden hooks do not necessarily catch golden fish.

This expression means that using expensive or high-quality tools does not always guarantee a superior or successful outcome. It highlights that merit, skill, or luck often matter more than the outward appearance or cost of the resources used. It is used to caution against the belief that money alone can buy success.

If the Balusu plant ripens, the ears of grain will be like chains.

This is an agricultural proverb used to describe a bountiful harvest. It suggests that when the wild Balusu plant thrives and ripens well, it serves as a natural indicator that the grain crops (like millet or paddy) will also be extremely productive, with ears of grain hanging thick and long like heavy chains.

No matter how many times it is purified in fire, brass remains brass and gold remains gold.

This expression is used to convey that the inherent nature or character of a person or object cannot be changed by external processes or superficial treatments. Just as intense heat cannot turn a base metal like brass into gold, artificial efforts cannot change a person's fundamental traits or true value.

Power is a prison of golden chains

This expression highlights that while holding a position of power or authority may seem prestigious and valuable (like gold), it comes with heavy responsibilities, lack of personal freedom, and constant restrictions that make it feel like a prison.

A brass parrot for the house, a golden parrot for the outside.

This proverb describes a person who presents a false, prestigious image to the world while living in poor or mediocre conditions at home. It is used to critique someone who prioritizes outward show and vanity over their actual internal reality or family's well-being.