లేని దాతల కంటే ఉన్న లోభి మేలు

leni datala kante unna lobhi melu

Translation

A stingy person who exists is better than a generous donor who does not.

Meaning

This expression is used to highlight that it is better to have access to limited resources or a person who is slightly miserly but present, rather than relying on the promises or thoughts of someone who is non-existent or unavailable. It is often used in contexts where people are waiting for an ideal solution that may never come instead of using what is currently available.

Related Phrases

Does a stitch (on a garment) appear as soon as you eat a crepe?

This expression is used to highlight that some results take time and cannot be achieved instantly. It suggests that actions and their consequences aren't always immediate, emphasizing patience or the realistic timeline of a process.

While the father gave to the Dasaris, the mother gave to the Jangams.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a husband and wife (or two people in charge) are both overly generous or spendthrift in different ways, leading to the depletion of their resources. It highlights a lack of coordination or mutual recklessness in managing household wealth or assets.

A daughter's behavior reveals the mother's character.

This expression suggests that a child's upbringing and behavior serve as a reflection of their parents, specifically the mother in this context. It is used to imply that the virtues or flaws of a mother can be seen through the actions and nature of her daughter.

A woman with plenty of hair can style it in any bun she likes.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has abundant resources, wealth, or talent. Just as a woman with long hair can choose any hairstyle, a person with means can afford to make any choice or take any risk, whereas those without such resources have limited options.

Mother for Dasaris, Father for Jangams.

This proverb describes a situation where both members of a couple are excessively charitable with common resources, often to the point of depleting them. While the mother gives away food or money to one group of mendicants (Dasaris), the father gives to another (Jangams). It is used to satirize households where there is no financial discipline or when everyone is busy being generous at the expense of their own stability.

Give the man who is in a hurry his food on a leaf, but give me mine on the floor. The food of Hindus is ordinarily served on a large leaf or several small leaves sewn together. Applied to a person wishing to have something done for himself in great haste, before others are attended to.

This proverb highlights the fickle nature of selfish people who seek help only when they are in need. It describes a situation where someone treats you with respect (serving on a leaf) when they want something from you, but treats you with disregard (serving on the floor) once their need is met.

He gives a name to an unborn child.

This expression is used to describe someone who makes elaborate plans or celebrates a result before it has actually happened. It refers to premature planning or counting your chickens before they hatch.

To celebrate the triumph before the victory. ( Latin. )† * Far conta dell' uovo non ancor nato, † Ante victoriam canere triumphum. 33

When the master fed the Dâsaris (devotees of Vishṇu), the mistress fed the Jangams (devotees of Śiva). Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb describes a situation where both partners in a couple or group are equally charitable, or more commonly, equally wasteful and extravagant in spending resources on outsiders. It is used to highlight a lack of financial coordination or a mutual tendency to give away assets, often leading to the depletion of the household's wealth.

Giving to an old woman and giving to a childless widow is the same.

This expression is used to describe an investment or a favor that yields no return or future benefit. In a traditional social context, it implies that providing for those who cannot reproduce or contribute back to the lineage is a dead-end expenditure.

A fox would even apply a religious mark (con) on Lord Narayana's forehead

This proverb is used to describe an extremely cunning or deceitful person. It suggests that a person is so crafty and manipulative that they would try to cheat or trick even the highest authority or God Himself. 'Naamam pettadam' is a common Telugu idiom for cheating or swindling someone.