లోభికి నాలుగందాల నష్టం

lobhiki nalugandala nashtam

Translation

A miser suffers loss in four ways

Meaning

This proverb explains that a miser, in an attempt to save small amounts of money, often ends up facing much larger losses or multiple disadvantages. It is used to highlight how extreme stinginess can backfire, leading to poor quality of life, loss of reputation, and eventual financial or material waste.

Related Phrases

A miser loses both ways.

This proverb describes how a person who is too greedy or miserly often ends up losing everything. It is used when someone's attempt to save a small amount of money or resources leads to a greater loss in two or more ways, or when they lose both the original investment and the expected gain.

* वरमेको गुणी पुत्रो न च मूर्खशतैरपि। एकश्चन्द्रस्तमो हन्ति न च तारागणैरपि॥

If a snake enters a hemp field, it is a twenty-five percent loss.

This proverb is used to describe situations where searching for a small problem causes more damage than the problem itself. When a snake enters a dense hemp (Janumu) field, the process of trampling and clearing the crops to find or kill it results in a significant loss of harvest, even if the snake is caught.

Silly laughter produces much harm.

This proverb suggests that excessive or inappropriate laughter can lead to trouble, loss of respect, or unintended conflicts. It is used as a cautionary saying to advise maintaining decorum and seriousness, especially in formal or sensitive situations, implying that too much humor can be detrimental.

Laughter is the hiccup of a fool.

For a talkative person, words are lost; for a greedy person, the bundle is lost.

This proverb highlights how different types of people face losses according to their nature. A talkative or argumentative person loses their credibility or energy through unnecessary talk (meaning their words have no value), while a miser or greedy person eventually loses their entire wealth (bundle) because they are too stingy to spend it wisely or protect it.

A hypocrite's smile leads to ruin in four directions.

This proverb is used to describe a person who appears innocent or modest (a hypocrite) but is actually cunning. It warns that relying on or being deceived by the fake sweetness of such a person will lead to trouble or loss from all sides.

Laughter is harmful in four ways

This proverb is used to caution against excessive or inappropriate laughter. It suggests that while laughing is generally good, laughing too much, at the wrong time, or at others can lead to loss of dignity, misunderstanding, or unnecessary trouble.

A miser spends more.

This proverb implies that when someone is overly stingy or greedy, they often end up incurring much larger expenses in the long run. By trying to save money on essentials or opting for cheap, low-quality solutions, they eventually face costly repairs, replacements, or consequences that far exceed the original savings.

A miser suffers loss on all sides. False economy. A stingy man is always poor. (French.)

This proverb highlights that a greedy or stingy person often ends up losing more than they save. Due to their excessive desire to save money, they might compromise on quality, health, or relationships, eventually leading to bigger financial or personal losses from multiple directions.

A fingernail-sized delay causes a mountain-sized loss.

This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of punctuality and timely action. It suggests that even a tiny or negligible delay can lead to catastrophic or massive consequences. It is used to advise someone to be prompt and not to underestimate the risks of procrastination.

If it rains during Ashwini (Karti), it results in total loss.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb referring to the 'Ashwini Karti' period (usually mid-April). It suggests that rainfall during this specific time is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest or in specific growth stages, leading to significant financial loss for farmers.