కలిగి తిననేరని వాడు గంపకమ్మ

kaligi tinanerani vadu gampakamma

Translation

A person who has wealth but does not know how to enjoy it is like a basket lid.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a miser or someone who possesses plenty of resources but lives poorly or refuses to spend them on their own comfort. It compares such a person to a 'Gampakammu' (a basket frame or lid), which holds and protects the food but can never taste or consume it itself.

Related Phrases

Mother doesn't serve food, nor does she let one beg for it.

This expression describes a dog-in-the-manger situation where someone neither helps you themselves nor allows you to seek help or opportunities from other sources. It is used to criticize people who obstruct others' progress while providing no support of their own.

A quarrel has started, put down the basket.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is eagerly waiting for an excuse or a distraction to stop working. It refers to a laborer who, upon seeing a fight break out, immediately puts down their load to watch or participate, showing their lack of interest in the task at hand.

High demand doesn't let you buy, low demand doesn't let you sell.

This proverb describes a common market dilemma or a stalemate situation in business. When there is high demand (Giraki), prices are too high or stocks are unavailable, making it difficult to buy. Conversely, when the market is dull or slow (Mandam), there are no buyers, making it difficult to sell. It is used to express the frustrations of unfavorable market conditions or the difficulty of finding the right timing for a transaction.

When full, Gundlakamma river doesn't let you reach the shore; when possessed, Gampakamma doesn't let you eat.

This proverb describes two types of misfortune: one caused by natural forces and the other by a miserly nature. It compares the Gundlakamma river, which becomes impassable when flooded, to a stingy person (metaphorically referred to as Gampakamma) who, despite having plenty of wealth or resources, refuses to spend them or allow others to enjoy them.

For the one with no recourse, Goddess Gangamma is the only refuge.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has absolutely no other options or alternatives left, forcing them to rely on a single, often final, source of hope or support. It is similar to the English proverb 'Beggars can't be choosers' or 'A drowning man catches at a straw'.

He will neither allow me to die nor to live. Perpetual worrying.

This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or troublesome. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of perpetual misery or limbo, where they are neither allowed to move on nor allowed to live in peace.

He won't allow the snake to die, and he won't allow the stick to be broken.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one seeks a diplomatic or clever solution to a problem that resolves the issue without causing loss, damage, or hurting any parties involved. It refers to maintaining a delicate balance or handling a conflict so skillfully that the task is accomplished without any negative consequences.

Applied to a trimmer.

The Gundlakamma river when full doesn't let you reach the shore; a Gampakamama (miserly person) despite having wealth won't let you eat.

This proverb draws a comparison between a river in flood and a person with a stingy nature. Just as a overflowing river becomes impassable and dangerous, preventing one from reaching safety, a miserly or greedy person, despite possessing abundance, ensures that neither they nor others can enjoy or benefit from those resources.

The mother neither gives food herself [to her child,] nor allows it to beg.

This proverb describes a dog-in-the-manger situation or a person who acts as a hindrance. It is used to describe someone who refuses to help you themselves, but also prevents you from seeking help or finding alternatives elsewhere, effectively leaving you helpless.

He neither lets one die nor lets one live.

This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or harassing. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of constant misery, preventing them from progressing or finding peace, yet not letting them completely abandon the situation.