ఇంటి సొమ్ము విప్పపిండి, పొరుగుంటి సొమ్ము పొడిబెల్లం

inti sommu vippapindi, porugunti sommu podibellam

Translation

Home wealth is like bitter mahua flour, while the neighbor's wealth is like powdered jaggery.

Meaning

This proverb describes the human tendency to undervalue one's own possessions while coveting or overvaluing what others have. It highlights a lack of contentment and the habit of thinking that things belonging to others are always better or more attractive than one's own.

Related Phrases

The riches of a sinner go to strangers ; the riches of a traitor go to thieves.

This proverb suggests that wealth acquired through sinful or dishonest means will never be enjoyed by the person who earned it. It implies that ill-gotten gains are eventually lost to strangers or criminals, emphasizing that unethical wealth lacks stability and longevity.

One's own money on Monday, others' money on 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 (Monday), but becomes incredibly reckless and extravagant when spending money belonging to others or the public (Tuesday). It is used to criticize those who do not value others' wealth as much as their own.

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).

Other people's wealth is sinful wealth

This proverb warns that taking or desiring money and property that belongs to others will eventually lead to misfortune or trouble. It emphasizes that ill-gotten gains never bring true happiness or prosperity.

His own property is like Ippapindi, his neighbour's like fine molasses.

This proverb describes a miserly or selfish mindset where one's own possessions are treated as cheap or bitter (like Ippa flour), while the belongings of others are viewed as sweet and desirable (like jaggery). It is used to mock people who are stingy with their own resources but are eager to consume or take advantage of what belongs to others.

Ippapindi is the refuse of the nuts of the Ippa tree ( Bassia Latifolia ) and is remarkably bitter. Applied to a niggard.

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.

Wealth gained from gambling and illicit means will not last.

This proverb is used to warn that money earned through gambling (Rangamu) or deceptive, easy, or unethical ways (Tinku) is never permanent. It suggests that only hard-earned money stays with a person, while ill-gotten gains disappear as quickly as they were acquired.

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.

Property is the strong man's not the poor Brahman's. Might overcomes right.

This proverb highlights that in a world without justice or order, resources and wealth are often seized by the powerful rather than being held by those who are peaceful or scholarly. It is used to describe situations where 'might is right' and the vulnerable lose their belongings to the influential.

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.