కలిగినమ్మ గాడిదతో పోతే అది ఒక వ్రతం, లేనమ్మ మొగుడితో పోతే అది ఒక మోహం.
kaliginamma gadidato pote adi oka vratam, lenamma mogudito pote adi oka moham.
If a wealthy woman goes with a donkey, it's seen as a ritual; if a poor woman goes with her husband, it's seen as lust.
This proverb highlights social hypocrisy and double standards based on wealth. When a rich or influential person does something eccentric, strange, or even wrong, society finds a way to justify it as a virtue or a special practice. However, when a poor person does something perfectly normal or small, they are often judged harshly or their actions are viewed with suspicion. It is used to point out how status changes the way people perceive the same actions.
Related Phrases
కుట్టినమ్మ కుదుట్లో ఉంటే, కూసినమ్మ గయ్యాళి
kuttinamma kudutlo unte, kusinamma gayyali
While the one who sewed is in the corner, the one who shouted is called a shrew.
This proverb describes a situation where the person who actually did the hard work remains quiet or unrecognized, while the person who merely made a lot of noise or complained is unfairly labeled as difficult or aggressive. It is used to point out ironies in social recognition and how vocal people are often judged differently than those who work silently.
సుఖం మరిగినమ్మ మొగుణ్ణి అమ్ముకుని తినిందట.
sukham mariginamma mogunni ammukuni tinindata.
A woman addicted to comforts even sold her husband to sustain her lifestyle.
This proverb is used to criticize people who are so addicted to luxury, laziness, or easy comforts that they are willing to lose or sacrifice their most valuable assets, relationships, or long-term security just to satisfy their immediate cravings.
కలిగినమ్మ గాదె తీసేటప్పటికి, లేనివాని ప్రాణంపోయింది
kaliginamma gade tisetappatiki, lenivani pranampoyindi
By the time the wealthy woman opened her grain silo, the poor man died.
This expression is used to describe a situation where help or resources arrive too late to be of any use. It highlights the consequences of unnecessary delay or bureaucracy when someone is in urgent need, emphasizing that even well-intentioned assistance is worthless if it does not meet the required timeline.
ఇల్లులేనమ్మ హీనము చూడు మగడులేనమ్మ మానము చూడు
illulenamma hinamu chudu magadulenamma manamu chudu
Look at the wretchedness of a woman without a house; look at the loss of dignity of a woman without a husband.
This traditional proverb reflects historical social perspectives where a house and a husband were considered the primary sources of security, status, and protection for a woman. It is used to describe how the lack of basic shelter or social support leads to vulnerability and loss of social standing.
సాగినమ్మ చాకలివాడితో పోతే అది వ్రతమేమో అనుకున్నారట
saginamma chakalivadito pote adi vratamemo anukunnarata
When a woman of good reputation ran away with a washerman, people thought it must be a religious vow.
This proverb describes a situation where people are so blinded by someone's past reputation or status that they justify or misinterpret their obvious wrongdoings as something noble or intentional. It is used to critique blind faith or the tendency to give undue benefit of doubt to influential people.
గుడ్డిదానితో పోతే, గుడిసె దాకా సాగనంపాలి
guddidanito pote, gudise daka saganampali
If you go with a blind woman, you must escort her all the way to her hut.
This proverb implies that when you take on a responsibility or commit to helping someone, you must see it through to the very end. Half-hearted efforts are useless; one should be prepared to complete the entire task once started.
ఉన్నమ్మ ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె, లేనమ్మా ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె
unnamma unnammake pette, lenamma unnammake pette
The woman who has gives to the woman who has; the woman who has not also gives to the woman who has.
This proverb describes a social irony where resources or gifts tend to flow towards those who are already wealthy or powerful, rather than to those in need. It highlights that everyone seeks to please the rich, while the poor are often ignored or even forced to give up what little they have to those above them.
ముప్పొద్దు తిన్నమ్మ మొగుడి ఆకలి ఎరుగదు
muppoddu tinnamma mogudi akali erugadu
A woman who eats three meals a day does not understand her husband's hunger.
This proverb describes a situation where a person who is comfortable or has their needs fulfilled fails to empathize with the struggles or suffering of others. It is used to criticize lack of empathy or selfishness in those who are privileged.
చద్దికూడు తిన్నమ్మ మొగుడి ఆకలి ఎరుగదు
chaddikudu tinnamma mogudi akali erugadu
The wife who has eaten breakfast [ at home ] does not think of her husband's hunger. Little knows the fat sow what the lean one means. The full belly does not believe in hunger. (Italian.)
This proverb describes a situation where a person who is comfortable or has already satisfied their own needs cannot empathize with the suffering or needs of others. It is used to criticize someone's lack of empathy due to their own self-satisfaction.
చద్దికూడు తిన్నమ్మ మొగుడి ఆకలి ఎరుగదు
chaddikudu tinnamma mogudi akali erugadu
The woman who has eaten the previous night's leftovers does not understand her husband's hunger.
This proverb describes a situation where a person who is comfortable or has their needs met fails to empathize with the struggles or needs of others. It is used to highlight selfishness or a lack of perspective when one's own belly is full.