లాభం లేని శెట్టి వరదలో పోతుంటే చెయ్యి చాచినా అందుకోలేదట
labham leni shetti varadalo potunte cheyyi chachina andukoledata
When a merchant who seeks no profit was being washed away in a flood, he didn't even reach out his hand to be saved.
This proverb is used to mock someone who is so extremely stingy or profit-oriented that they won't even perform a basic action to save themselves if they don't see a material gain in it. It describes a person who is obsessively calculative, even in life-threatening situations.
Related Phrases
లాభం లేనిదే శెట్టి వరదలో పడిపోడు
labham lenide shetti varadalo padipodu
Without a profit, a merchant wouldn't even jump into a flood.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely calculating and never does anything unless there is a personal benefit or profit involved. It is used to highlight the opportunistic or materialistic nature of individuals who prioritize gain over risk or logic.
ఆదాయములేకనే శెట్టి వరదబోడు
adayamulekane shetti varadabodu
Without [ the hope of ] gain, a Śetti will not venture into the flood.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely calculative and opportunistic. It suggests that a shrewd individual (often metaphorically a merchant) will not take a risk or perform an action unless there is a clear personal gain or benefit involved.
The Śetti (merchants) are very greedy and very cowardly.
బిడ్డ లేని ముద్దు, వాన లేని వరద
bidda leni muddu, vana leni varada
Fondling without a child, a flood without rain.
This proverb is used to describe something that is meaningless, artificial, or lacks a foundation. Just as a flood cannot exist without rain and kissing has no purpose without a child (in a parental context), an action or situation without its core essence or cause is considered hollow or futile.
గడచిన దానికి వగచిన లాభమేమి?
gadachina daniki vagachina labhamemi?
What is the use of grieving over what has passed?
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'no use crying over spilled milk.' It suggests that once something has happened, worrying or crying about it is futile; instead, one should focus on the future or find a solution.
అంతం లేని చోటులేదు, ఆదిలేని ఆరంభం లేదు.
antam leni chotuledu, adileni arambham ledu.
There is no place without an end, and no beginning without an origin.
This philosophical expression emphasizes the cyclical and interconnected nature of existence. It suggests that everything that exists occupies space and must eventually conclude, and every start has a preceding cause or source. It is used to describe the continuity of life, the laws of nature, or the inevitability of consequences based on origins.
ఎముక లేని చెయ్యి
emuka leni cheyyi
A hand without a bone
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely generous and charitable. Just as a hand without a bone would be flexible and unable to close or withhold, it refers to someone who gives freely to others without hesitation or stinginess.
ఆదాయం లేనిదే శెట్టి వరదను పోడు
adayam lenide shetti varadanu podu
Without a profit, the merchant will not step into the flood.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely calculating and profit-oriented. It suggests that certain individuals will never take a risk or perform an action unless they are guaranteed a personal gain or benefit. It is used to mock someone's stinginess or their habit of never doing anything out of pure altruism.
పులి చచ్చినా పొడలు మాయవు
puli chachchina podalu mayavu
Even if the tiger dies, its spots (stripes) do not disappear.
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or character. It implies that a person's fundamental qualities, reputation, or past actions remain associated with them even after they are gone or have lost their power. It is often used to suggest that one cannot easily change their true identity or that a legacy (good or bad) persists.
లాభం లేనిదే శెట్టి ఏట పడడు
labham lenide shetti eta padadu
Unless there is something to be gained by it, the Śetṭi will not venture into the river.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely calculative and never performs an action unless there is a personal benefit or profit involved. It highlights a purely transactional mindset where even a risky or seemingly selfless act is driven by hidden gain.
The Śetṭis and Kômaṭis are very greedy and very cowardly. People do not risk their lives unless they have some great object to gain by it.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.