కుమ్మరి, కంసాలి పాలికి వేసిన పొలం పంటలాగా

kummari, kamsali paliki vesina polam pantalaga

Translation

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

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

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.

If tied to the leg, it moves to the finger; if tied to the finger, it moves to the leg.

This expression describes a person who is extremely manipulative, slippery, or cunning. It is used for someone who always has a counter-argument or a way to twist words to escape accountability, making it impossible to pin them down to a single point.

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.

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.

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.

If put on the finger it goes to the toe, and if put on the toe it goes to the finger.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely manipulative, inconsistent, or shifty in their speech. It refers to someone who changes their story or logic constantly to suit their convenience, making it impossible to pin them down to a single fact or commitment.

Whether you apply blooming Tangedu or fruiting Vempali (as manure), the paddy crop says it will yield a bountiful harvest.

This proverb highlights the traditional agricultural wisdom of using green leaf manure. Tangedu (Tanner's Cassia) and Vempali (Wild Indigo) are excellent natural fertilizers. The saying emphasizes that if the soil is nourished with these specific organic materials, a high-quality rice yield is guaranteed regardless of other challenges.

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.