కంసాలిమాయ కంసాలికి గాని తెలియదు.

kamsalimaya kamsaliki gani teliyadu.

Translation

A goldsmith's fraud is only known to a goldsmith. A story is told of a young goldsmith who disguised himself as a Brahman and married a Brahman's daughter. He perceived and dis- closed on one occasion the fraud of another goldsmith who had cheated his father-in-law ; this man in revenge exposed the young impostor.

Meaning

This proverb implies that the internal secrets, tricks, or professional deceits of a specific trade or group are only understood by those within that same field. It is used to describe situations where one expert can see through the cunning tactics of another expert, while a layperson remains unaware.

Related Phrases

Like a field crop shared between a potter and a goldsmith.

This expression is used to describe a situation or task that is neglected because the parties involved think the other will take care of it. Since a potter (kummar) and a goldsmith (kansali) have no expertise or primary interest in farming, a field left in their joint care will inevitably fail as neither takes responsibility.

The love of a goldsmith upon seeing gold

This expression refers to a person whose affection or interest is driven purely by greed or the potential for profit. Just as a goldsmith's 'love' for gold is actually a desire to manipulate, melt, and profit from it, this phrase describes opportunistic behavior where someone acts friendly only because they see a way to exploit someone or something for their own gain.

Cobblers say "Again," goldsmiths say "Tomorrow." Dilatory in work.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe individuals who are always on the move or never found in their expected place. 'Malli' refers to a shoemaker (Madiga) who is often out collecting hides or delivering shoes, while 'Yelli' refers to a goldsmith (Kamsali) who might be away on business. It is used to mock or point out the unavailability of someone when you need them.

Do not trust a village clerk or a goldsmith even if they are on their way to the funeral pyre.

This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social distrust towards certain professions. It suggests that individuals in roles requiring extreme cunningness or dealing with precious materials (like the village record-keeper and the goldsmith) are inherently deceptive. It implies their deceitful nature remains unchanged until the very end of their lives.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will not spare it.

This proverb is used to describe people who are so professional, greedy, or habituated to their craft that they do not show bias or mercy even to their closest kin. It specifically refers to the old stereotype that a goldsmith invariably steals a small portion of gold during the making of jewelry, regardless of who the customer is.

The goldsmith pierced my ears too

This expression is used sarcastically to indicate that the speaker is not a fool and cannot be easily deceived. By saying 'the same goldsmith pierced my ears too', the speaker implies they have as much experience, wisdom, or sharpness as the person trying to trick them.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will steal a little.

This proverb highlights that some people are so habituated to their professional traits or vices that they cannot overlook them, even for their closest relatives. It is often used to describe inherent professional dishonesty or a person's inability to change their nature regardless of the relationship.

Even crows do not touch the food of a goldsmith.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. It suggests that a person is so greedy or manipulative (traditionally associated with the stereotype of goldsmiths skimming off gold) that their food or wealth is considered cursed or tainted, to the point that even scavengers like crows would avoid it.

Lead is easy for both a poet and a goldsmith.

This is a clever pun on the word 'Seesam'. For a poet, 'Seesam' refers to 'Seesa Padyam' (a specific complex poetic meter), which they can compose easily. For a goldsmith, 'Seesam' refers to the metal 'Lead', which they handle with ease. The proverb is used to describe how experts find things easy in their respective fields, even if those things seem difficult to others.

A merchant (Komati) has no poverty, and a goldsmith (Kamsali) has no wealth.

This proverb reflects traditional social observations. It suggests that a merchant is usually prudent enough to never be truly broke, while a goldsmith, despite handling precious metals, rarely becomes exceptionally wealthy because they often live on commissions or work for others.