కట్టెను కంపా కాల్చేవాడు
kattenu kampa kalchevadu
One who burns even the bundle of sticks and thorns.
This expression refers to an extremely stingy, ruthless, or destructive person who leaves nothing behind. It describes someone who exploits a resource or situation to the very last bit without any regard for future use or mercy, often used to characterize a person's extreme greed or harsh nature.
Related Phrases
గాలికిపోయిన కంపను కాలికి తగిలించుకొన్నట్లు
galikipoyina kampanu kaliki tagilinchukonnatlu
Like hooking a thorn bush blowing in the wind to one's own leg.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily gets involved in a problem that has nothing to do with them, thereby creating trouble for themselves. It is similar to the English idiom 'to look for trouble'.
గడ్డ తిన్నా కంపే, పాయ తిన్నా కంపే.
gadda tinna kampe, paya tinna kampe.
If you eat the root [of garlick] there is a smell, if you eat a clove of it there is a smell. Whether you do a little evil or much, it is alike bad.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person faces the same consequence or reputation regardless of the magnitude of their actions. It is often applied to bad habits or wrongdoings, implying that even a small mistake carries the same stigma or negative outcome as a larger one.
* El rio pasado, el santo olvido. † Passato il punto, gabbato il santo.
ఓపనివాడు కోరనిదీ, ఓల్లనివాడు ఆడనిదీ లేదు.
opanivadu koranidi, ollanivadu adanidi ledu.
There is nothing a lazy person doesn't wish for, and nothing a hater doesn't say.
This proverb describes two types of people: a lazy person (opani vaadu) who desires everything without wanting to work for it, and a spiteful person (ollani vaadu) who will resort to any lie or criticism against someone they dislike. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of wanting results without effort or the tendency of people to badmouth those they are biased against.
కాయ తిన్నా కంపే, గడ్డి తిన్నా కంపే
kaya tinna kampe, gaddi tinna kampe
Whether you eat a fruit or eat grass, the smell is the same.
This proverb is used to describe situations where the negative consequences or the bad reputation remain the same regardless of the magnitude or nature of the act. It implies that once a person is associated with a bad habit or a wrongdoing, people will judge them equally whether they did something small or something large.
కత్తివాణా? కలంవాణా?
kattivana? kalamvana?
Is the sword sharp or the pen ?
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' It is used to provoke a debate or emphasize that intellectual power and writing can have a more significant and lasting impact on society than physical force or violence.
The pen in the hand of the strong is more powerful than the sword. A goose-quill is more dangerous than a lion's claw.
తన కొంగున కట్టిన రూక, తన కడుపున పుట్టిన బిడ్డ.
tana konguna kattina ruka, tana kadupuna puttina bidda.
The money tied in one's own garment and the child born from one's own womb.
This expression highlights things that one can truly rely on and call their own. Just as a child is one's own blood, money kept securely with oneself is the only wealth that is guaranteed to be available in times of need. It emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of having personal resources rather than depending on others.
కడుపులో కాపాడినవాడు కాలాన కాపాడడా?
kadupulo kapadinavadu kalana kapadada?
Will the one who protected [you] in the womb not protect [you] in due time?
This is an expression of faith and reassurance. It suggests that since God (or nature) protected a person during their most vulnerable stage inside the mother's womb, they will surely be looked after during difficult times in life. It is used to instill hope and patience during periods of crisis or uncertainty.
నుచ్చు కట్టిన రొమ్ము - కంపలో కాచిన కాయ ఒకటే
nuchchu kattina rommu - kampalo kachina kaya okate
A chest filled with mucus and a fruit growing inside a thorny bush are the same.
This proverb describes something that is technically present but utterly useless or inaccessible. Just as a fruit stuck deep inside a thick thorny bush cannot be harvested or enjoyed, a person who possesses wealth or talent but is too stingy or restricted to use it for any good purpose is considered useless to society.
తరి పట్టిన కత్తి, చెరపట్టిన కుత్తి
tari pattina katti, cherapattina kutti
A sharpened knife and a woman in captivity.
This expression describes items or individuals that are in their most effective or dangerous state. Just as a knife is most useful when sharpened (tari), a person (historically used in the context of a captive woman or 'kutthi' meaning a young woman/slave) is most vulnerable or completely under someone's control. In modern usage, it highlights the peak state of readiness or the absolute influence one holds over something.
కాని కాలానికి కంది అయినా కాయదు
kani kalaniki kandi ayina kayadu
In bad times, even a pigeon pea plant will not bear fruit
This proverb describes a period of misfortune where even the simplest or most reliable tasks fail to yield results. It is used to express that when luck is against someone, even their best efforts and usually dependable resources will let them down.