మొగుడిని చూస్తే పైత్యం, ముండను చూస్తే ముచ్చట.
mogudini chuste paityam, mundanu chuste muchchata.
Looking at the husband causes irritation, but looking at a widow (mistress) brings delight.
This proverb is used to describe a person who dislikes or finds fault with their own family or legitimate responsibilities but shows great enthusiasm and affection for outsiders or improper things. It highlights misplaced priorities and hypocrisy in one's behavior.
Related Phrases
చూస్తే నీది, చూడకపోతే నాది
chuste nidi, chudakapote nadi
If seen, it is yours; if not seen, it is mine
This expression refers to someone who is being dishonest or opportunistic. It describes a situation where a person tries to steal or misappropriate something and only admits to it if they are caught; otherwise, they treat it as their own. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or lack of integrity.
అమ్మ కడుపు చూస్తుంది, ఆలి జేబు చూస్తుంది
amma kadupu chustundi, ali jebu chustundi
The mother looks at the stomach, the wife looks at the pocket.
This proverb contrasts maternal love with the practical expectations of marital life. It suggests that a mother's primary concern is always her child's well-being and hunger, whereas a wife (metaphorically) focuses on the husband's financial stability and ability to provide for the family.
ఎద్దును చూస్తే ముద్దు వస్తుంది, ఈడ్పు చూస్తే పడ్పు వస్తుంది
eddunu chuste muddu vastundi, idpu chuste padpu vastundi
Looking at the ox brings affection, but looking at its struggle to pull brings weariness.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the attractive appearance or potential of something and the harsh reality of the hard work or effort required to manage it. It is used when someone likes the idea or the look of a project or responsibility, but is discouraged once they see the difficult labor involved in executing it.
మూసిచూస్తే కాసు లేదు, ముండను చూస్తే ముద్దొస్తుంది
musichuste kasu ledu, mundanu chuste muddostundi
If you open the purse there is not a single coin, but if you look at the widow, you feel like kissing her.
This proverb is used to mock a person who has no financial resources or means to survive, yet indulges in romantic or lustful desires. It highlights the irony of someone pursuing pleasure or luxury while being in absolute poverty.
ఇల్లు చూస్తే తెలుస్తుంది ఇల్లాలి అందం
illu chuste telustundi illali andam
A home's appearance reveals the housewife's beauty.
This proverb suggests that the cleanliness, organization, and upkeep of a home are a direct reflection of the character, competence, and management skills of the person in charge of it. It is used to emphasize that true beauty or worth is seen in how one maintains their responsibilities and environment.
ఒకణ్ణి చూస్తే పెట్టబుద్ది, ఇంకొకణ్ణి చూస్తే మొట్టబుద్ది
okanni chuste pettabuddi, inkokanni chuste mottabuddi
Looking at one person makes you want to give, looking at another makes you want to hit.
This expression describes how human behavior and generosity are often reactive to a person's character or attitude. It implies that some people naturally evoke kindness and charity, while others, due to their behavior or nature, provoke irritation or anger.
చూస్తే చుక్క, లేస్తే కుక్క
chuste chukka, leste kukka
A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.
మూణ్ణాళ్ళ ముచ్చట
munnalla muchchata
A three-day pleasure
This expression is used to describe something that is short-lived, fleeting, or temporary. It refers to a situation, trend, or happiness that lasts for a very brief period and then vanishes, similar to the English phrase 'nine days' wonder'.
ఒకడిని చూస్తే పెట్టబుద్ది, ఇంకొకడిని చూస్తే మొట్టబుద్ది
okadini chuste pettabuddi, inkokadini chuste mottabuddi
Seeing one person makes you want to give, seeing another makes you want to hit
This proverb describes how different people's behavior or character evokes different reactions. One person's kindness or need inspires generosity, while another person's arrogance or annoyance provokes irritation and the urge to scold or strike them.
రాజు చూచిన కంట మొగుణ్ని చూస్తే మొట్టబుద్ధి అయినది
raju chuchina kanta mogunni chuste mottabuddhi ayinadi
When she looked at her husband with the eye which had beheld the king, she had a mind to thump him.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, after witnessing someone of great power, beauty, or wealth, starts to find their own humble circumstances or partner inferior. It is used to caution against comparing one's own blessings with extraordinary exceptions, which leads to unnecessary discontentment or disdain for what one already has.