ముద్దరాలి మగడు ముదుసలి మెచ్చునా

muddarali magadu mudusali mechchuna

Translation

Will the husband of a beautiful/tender woman appreciate an old woman?

Meaning

This proverb is used to illustrate that a person who is accustomed to high quality, excellence, or beauty will never be satisfied with something of inferior quality or something that lacks those attributes. It highlights how standards and tastes are shaped by one's primary experiences.

Related Phrases

An old man is fond of a young widow

This proverb describes a situation where an elderly person becomes overly attached to or obsessed with someone or something unsuitable or inappropriate for their age. It is often used to criticize elderly men who pursue younger women, or more broadly, to point out the irony of developing new, intense cravings at a late stage in life when they should be focused on other matters.

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.

Will the owner rejoice upon seeing a ruined crop?

This proverb is used to convey that no one can be happy or appreciative when something they value or have worked hard for is destroyed or failing. It emphasizes that a person's reaction is naturally tied to the success or failure of their endeavors, and expecting a positive reaction to a negative outcome is unrealistic.

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.

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.

Three half-pagodas for a rice pounder. Said of any thing purchased at an exorbitant price.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the cost of a basic, inexpensive item or its maintenance is disproportionately high. It highlights irony or absurdity when something simple ends up being unnecessarily expensive or overvalued.

Is the work dear to you, or is the struggle dear to you?

This expression is used to question whether someone values the end result and productivity (pani) or if they are more concerned with the effort and hardship (paatu) involved. It is often used to remind someone that the outcome is what matters most, or to ask if they are willing to endure the struggle to get the reward.

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.

There is no such thing as an old buffalo or an old Yenadi (tribesman).

This proverb is used to describe individuals who maintain their strength, productivity, or work capacity regardless of their age. It implies that certain beings remain robust and useful until the very end, suggesting that age is just a number for those with a strong constitution or work ethic.

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.