లంజకు నిగ్గు, సంసారికి సిగ్గు ఉండాలి

lanjaku niggu, samsariki siggu undali

Translation

A prostitute should have charm, and a housewife should have modesty.

Meaning

This proverb highlights traditional societal expectations regarding behavior and presentation. It suggests that just as physical attractiveness and allure (niggu) are considered essential for a sex worker's profession, modesty and a sense of shame (siggu) are vital virtues for a woman leading a family life to maintain social respect and dignity.

Related Phrases

A stubborn person has no shame, and a tree stump has no air.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is utterly shameless and indifferent to criticism. Just as a dead, leafless tree stump is unaffected by the wind and cannot breathe or sway, a thick-skinned or stubborn person remains unmoved by insults, advice, or social embarrassment.

Fear for a thief and shyness for a prostitute are of no use.

This proverb highlights that certain traits are fundamentally incompatible with specific professions or situations. Just as a thief cannot succeed if they are afraid of being caught, and a prostitute cannot perform if they are shy, a person must shed irrelevant inhibitions or weaknesses to succeed in their chosen path or task.

Cough and shame cannot be hidden even if you try.

This proverb suggests that certain things are naturally impossible to conceal. Just as one cannot suppress a physical cough, emotions like shyness or feelings of guilt/shame will eventually manifest through one's behavior or expressions. It is used to describe situations where the truth or an emotion is too obvious to keep secret.

The maiden's shyness is for the purpose of giving birth

This expression suggests that a young woman's natural modesty or hesitation is a precursor to marriage and motherhood. It is often used to imply that shyness is a temporary stage or a virtue that eventually leads to the fulfillment of life's biological and social duties.

Neither do I have shame, nor does the New Moon day (Amavasya) arriving tomorrow.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is utterly shameless and persistent in their behavior despite repeated criticism or humiliation. It suggests that just as the dark moon day inevitably occurs regardless of anything, the person will continue their shameless actions without any hesitation or remorse.

I have no shame, and you have no spine (backbone)

This expression is used to describe a situation where neither party involved has any sense of self-respect or integrity. It highlights a mutual lack of character, where one person is shamelessly acting and the other is too weak to stand up or has no standard themselves.

If shame is beaten with a broom, self-respect/shame will beat with a winnowing basket

This proverb is used to describe a person who has completely lost their sense of shame or dignity. It implies that if someone ignores a small insult (symbolized by a broom), they will eventually face a much larger, more public humiliation (symbolized by a winnowing basket). It is used to caution against thick-skinned behavior or disregarding one's reputation.

The one who speaks has no shame, and the one who listens has no sense of discretion.

This proverb is used to criticize a situation where someone is talking nonsense or lies shamelessly, and the listener is foolish enough to keep listening without questioning or feeling offended. It highlights a lack of standards in both the speaker and the audience.

Those with children and those with debts should not have shame.

This proverb suggests that people in certain responsibilities must set aside their pride or hesitation to get things done. Parents often have to ask for help or behave in ways they normally wouldn't for the sake of their children, and debtors must be humble and persistent while working to clear their obligations.

Shyness in lovemaking and fear in battle are useless.

This proverb emphasizes that certain qualities are counterproductive in specific contexts. Just as fear leads to defeat in war, being overly shy or hesitant in intimate relationships hinders fulfillment. It is used to suggest that one should be bold and uninhibited where the situation demands it.