కోమటి విశ్వాసము

komati vishvasamu

Translation

The faith of a Kômaṭi. Faithlessness.

Meaning

This expression refers to a double-edged or unreliable trust. It is used to describe a situation where someone's loyalty or commitment is solely dependent on their own profit or benefit, suggesting that their allegiance may shift as soon as the circumstances are no longer advantageous to them.

Related Phrases

The trust of a delicate woman is like friendship with snakes.

This traditional expression suggests that some people's loyalty or trust can be unpredictable and dangerous. It is used to caution someone about placing complete faith in individuals who might be fickle or potentially harmful, drawing a comparison to the inherent danger of befriending venomous snakes.

A Kômaṭi's truth.

This expression refers to a 'truth' that is ambiguous, non-committal, or deceptive. It is used to describe a situation where someone gives a diplomatic or evasive answer that seems honest but hides the actual facts to avoid trouble or profit-seeking, much like the stereotypical cleverness attributed to traditional traders.

A merchant's testimony

This expression is used to describe a statement or evidence that is intentionally vague, non-committal, or deceptive. Just as a merchant might avoid taking a firm side to protect their business interests, 'Komati Sakshyam' refers to a testimony where the speaker avoids giving a direct answer or tries to please both parties without revealing the truth.

A Kômaṭi's evidence. A story is told of a Kômaṭi who, when asked to identify a horse about which a Mussalman and Hindu were quarrelling, said the forepart of it looked like the Mussalman's horse and the hindpart like the Hindu's.

This expression refers to a statement or testimony that is ambiguous, non-committal, or clever enough to avoid taking a definitive side. It is used to describe a situation where someone speaks in a way that protects their own interests while technically answering a question, often leaving the listener in confusion.

Like the burning of a Kômaṭi's house. A heavy loss.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a significant loss or problem but chooses to remain silent or suffers in secret without crying out for help, usually to avoid revealing their hidden wealth or secrets. It implies a quiet or concealed catastrophe.

Don't believe all you hear, don't divulge all you believe. Do not all you can ; spend not all you have ; believe not all you hear ; and tell not all you know.

This proverb advises discretion and skepticism. It cautions against being gullible by trusting all rumors or information received (hearsay), and simultaneously warns to be guarded with one's own thoughts and convictions rather than sharing them indiscriminately with everyone.

The knave gets rice and curds, the honest man gets rice and warm water. The more rogue the more luck. The devil's children have the devil's luck.

This proverb highlights the unfair irony often found in society where cunning or dishonest people (tātōtugāni) manage to enjoy luxuries like curd rice, while honest and loyal people (viśwāsamukalavāni) end up with the barest of necessities like plain rice and hot water. It is used to describe situations where merit and loyalty are undervalued compared to trickery.

A fowl has no happiness and a Kômaṭi has no feeling. The Kômaṭis are a class of shopkeepers.

This proverb describes the inherent nature of certain entities. It suggests that a hen is always busy scratching the ground for food (never resting), and traditionally implies that in business, a merchant prioritizes profit over personal loyalty or trust. It is used to describe situations where constant restlessness or self-interest is expected.

Do not believe everything you hear, and do not express everything you believe.

This proverb advises caution in both processing information and sharing it. It suggests that one should exercise skepticism toward rumors or hearsay, and even when one holds a firm belief or knows a truth, it is often wise to remain silent rather than speaking out indiscriminately.

Curd rice for the trickster, and thin gruel for the faithful one.

This proverb reflects a cynical observation of social injustice where deceitful or manipulative people (Taatotugadu) often enjoy luxuries and comforts, while honest and loyal people (Vishwasamu kalavadu) suffer in poverty or receive the bare minimum. It is used to describe situations where merit and loyalty are overlooked in favor of flattery or cunningness.