ఇంటి సొమ్ము ఇప్పపిండి, పొరిగింటి సొమ్ము పొడి బెల్లము
inti sommu ippapindi, poriginti sommu podi bellamu
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.
Related Phrases
సొమ్మూ పోయి దిమ్మూ పట్టినది
sommu poyi dimmu pattinadi
Money went and madness came.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone loses their investment, wealth, or resources and ends up with additional troubles, stress, or mental agony instead of any benefit. It is similar to the English sentiment of 'adding insult to injury' or a 'double whammy' of misfortune.
* Die Augen sind weiter dann der Bach.
తనుసొమ్ము సోమవారం, మందిసొమ్ము మంగళవారం
tanusommu somavaram, mandisommu mangalavaram
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.
తన సొమ్ము అల్లం, పరవారి సొమ్ము బెల్లం
tana sommu allam, paravari sommu bellam
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).
పరుల సొమ్ము పాపిష్టి సొమ్ము
parula sommu papishti sommu
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.
చేతిసొమ్ము ఇచ్చి చెప్పుతో కొట్టించుకున్నట్లు
chetisommu ichchi chepputo kottinchukunnatlu
Like paying money from one's own pocket to get beaten with a slipper.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone spends their own resources (money, time, or effort) only to end up being insulted, humiliated, or facing negative consequences because of that very action. It highlights the irony of self-inflicted trouble.
పరుల సొమ్ము పేలపిండి, తన సొమ్ము దేవుడి సొమ్ము
parula sommu pelapindi, tana sommu devudi sommu
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.
రంగము సొమ్ము టింకుసొమ్ము నిలువదు.
rangamu sommu tinkusommu niluvadu.
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.
ఇంటి సొమ్ము విప్పపిండి, పొరుగుంటి సొమ్ము పొడిబెల్లం
inti sommu vippapindi, porugunti sommu podibellam
Home wealth is like bitter mahua flour, while the neighbor's wealth is like powdered jaggery.
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.
పిసినిగొట్టు సొమ్ము పరుల పాలు, ద్రోహి సొమ్ము దొరల పాలు
pisinigottu sommu parula palu, drohi sommu dorala palu
A miser's wealth goes to others; a traitor's wealth goes to the rulers.
This proverb highlights that ill-gotten or hoarded wealth never stays with the owner. A miser who refuses to spend even on necessities will eventually lose his wealth to strangers or relatives, while those who earn through betrayal or crime will eventually have their assets seized by authorities or the government.
పరుల సొమ్ము పాపిష్టి సొమ్ము
parula sommu papishti sommu
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.