లోకం మెచ్చింది గొప్ప, లోభి మెచ్చింది దిబ్బ
lokam mechchindi goppa, lobhi mechchindi dibba
What the world admires is great; what a miser admires is a pile of trash.
This proverb highlights that societal recognition comes from generosity and noble actions. While the general public values greatness and virtue, a miserly person only values hoarding wealth or useless things (heaps), which have no real social value. It is used to contrast the difference between true greatness and selfish accumulation.
Related Phrases
పంది మెచ్చేది బురద - పడతి మెచ్చేది పన్నీరు
pandi mechchedi burada - padati mechchedi panniru
The pig likes mud - the lady likes rose-water
This proverb highlights how different individuals have different tastes and standards based on their nature or upbringing. It is used to explain that what is delightful to one person might be repulsive or trivial to another, emphasizing that everyone has their own unique preferences.
సొమ్ముల ఆశ పాపం తెచ్చింది, చెడు ఆలోచన చేటు తెచ్చింది
sommula asha papam techchindi, chedu alochana chetu techchindi
The greed for wealth brought sin, and evil thoughts brought ruin.
This proverb highlights the destructive nature of greed and malice. It implies that being overly obsessed with money leads one to commit sinful acts, while harboring negative intentions or bad thoughts eventually leads to one's own downfall or misfortune. It is used as a moral warning to maintain integrity and a positive mindset.
ఇచ్చింది పోయింది అసలు రాదు.
ichchindi poyindi asalu radu.
What was given is gone, and the principal will never return.
This expression is used to describe a situation where money or resources lent or invested are completely lost. It signifies a total loss where neither the profit/interest nor the original capital is recoverable. It is often used as a cautionary remark about bad debts or risky ventures.
పంది బురద మెచ్చు పన్నీరు మెచ్చునా?
pandi burada mechchu panniru mechchuna?
A pig likes mud; will it ever like rose water?
This proverb is used to describe people with low tastes or vulgar habits who cannot appreciate refined, noble, or high-quality things. It suggests that one's inherent nature dictates their preferences, and a person accustomed to 'dirt' or negativity will never understand the value of something 'pure' or superior.
రాజు మెచ్చింది మాట, మొగుడు మెచ్చింది రంభ.
raju mechchindi mata, mogudu mechchindi rambha.
What the king likes is the law, and who the husband likes is Rambha.
This proverb highlights the subjectivity of beauty and authority. It means that power determines what is right, and personal affection determines what is beautiful. Just as a king's word is final regardless of logic, a person's preference defines their standard of beauty or excellence, regardless of objective reality.
రాజు మెచ్చినది మాట, మొగుడు మెచ్చినది రంభ.
raju mechchinadi mata, mogudu mechchinadi rambha.
That's the word, which pleases the king; she is Rambhâ, who is loved by her husband.
This proverb highlights the subjectivity of taste and authority. It means that power and personal affection define value. If a king approves of something, it becomes the rule or truth; similarly, if a man loves his wife, she is as beautiful as a celestial nymph (Rambha) to him, regardless of others' opinions.
తొట్టి మెచ్చేది ఉప్పపిండి
totti mechchedi uppapindi
The vat likes the salt-dough
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something is only satisfied by or suited for something of poor quality or specific low-tier standards. It implies that a person's tastes or preferences are limited to what they are accustomed to, often used in a slightly mocking way to suggest that someone with low standards will be happy with mediocre things.
తాను మెచ్చ తినాలి, ఒకరు మెచ్చ నడవాలి
tanu mechcha tinali, okaru mechcha nadavali
Eat to please yourself, behave to please others
This proverb suggests that personal choices like food should be according to one's own taste, but social behavior and conduct should be respectable and acceptable to society. It emphasizes the balance between personal freedom and social responsibility.
ఇచ్చినవాడే మెచ్చినవాడు, చచ్చినవాడే అచ్చినవాడు.
ichchinavade mechchinavadu, chachchinavade achchinavadu.
The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.
This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.
రాజు మెచ్చిన భోగంది రాజ్యానికి సాని అయిందిట.
raju mechchina bhogandi rajyaniki sani ayindita.
The courtesan liked by the king became the queen of the kingdom.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gains power, status, or authority not because of their merit or qualifications, but simply because they are favored by someone in a high position. It highlights how personal favoritism can elevate an undeserving person to a significant role.