కోమటికి లేమి, కంసాలికి కలిమి ఉండదు.

komatiki lemi, kamsaliki kalimi undadu.

Translation

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

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

Wealth is the paramour of all castes.

This proverb suggests that wealth transcends social hierarchies and caste boundaries. It implies that a person's financial status often carries more weight and influence than their traditional social standing or lineage, effectively stating that 'money is the ultimate power'.

A rich man is sought after by all. Rich people are every where at home. (German.)†

It is the strength of the position, not one's own strength.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's power, influence, or authority comes entirely from the position or office they hold rather than their personal merit or capability. It highlights that once the individual leaves that specific role or location, they no longer possess that same power.

(kavadi), in villages for carrying water from the village pond/river

In life, happiness and unhappiness, wealth and poverty are both inevitable. It is necessary for us to maintain the proper balance between them and we should not get either over-joyed or depressed, but ought to retain optimum poise.

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.

Friendship with a Velama is like wealth seen in a dream.

This proverb suggests that certain friendships or alliances might be unreliable or illusory. Just as wealth gained in a dream disappears upon waking, this expression implies that the benefits or the relationship itself might not hold up or remain tangible in reality when most needed. It is used to caution someone about trusting a connection that lacks a solid, lasting foundation.

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.

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.

It is the strength of the position, not the strength of the person.

This expression emphasizes that a person's power or influence often comes from the position or office they hold rather than their innate abilities. It is used to remind people that once they lose their status or position, their perceived power will also vanish.

Wealth does not stay in a house where there is constant complaining or misery.

This proverb suggests that prosperity and fortune avoid homes filled with negativity, sorrow, or a lack of contentment. It emphasizes that a positive and harmonious environment is necessary for wealth and well-being to flourish.

So what if one has wealth? They are seen with lust or desire.

This expression suggests that no matter how much wealth or status a person acquires, people often look at them with greed, envy, or hidden motives. It highlights that material abundance does not necessarily bring genuine respect or peace, but often attracts superficial or opportunistic attention.

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.