ఒకడిని చూస్తే పెట్టబుద్ది, ఇంకొకడిని చూస్తే మొట్టబుద్ది

okadini chuste pettabuddi, inkokadini chuste mottabuddi

Translation

Seeing one person makes you want to give, seeing another makes you want to hit

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

Seeing a soft person makes one want to strike them

This expression refers to the human tendency to take advantage of or bully those who are gentle, submissive, or overly kind. It is used to describe situations where someone's politeness is mistaken for weakness, leading others to exploit them.

A man's mind is a blunt mind, a woman's mind is a subtle/sharp mind.

This proverb contrasts the psychological natures of men and women. It suggests that men tend to be more straightforward, rough, or simple-minded (motu), whereas women possess a more complex, strategic, or far-reaching intelligence (apara buddhi). It is often used to comment on how women can see through situations or plan more effectively than men.

Upon seeing a soft-natured person, one feels like hitting them.

This proverb describes the human tendency to exploit or take advantage of those who are mild-mannered, gentle, or submissive. It suggests that people often bully or dominate those who do not resist or stand up for themselves.

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.

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.

When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.

This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.

While one is looking at the wedding ceremony, another is looking at the bride.

This proverb highlights how different people have different priorities or intentions in the same situation. While one person may be focused on the event or the process (the wedding), another may be focused on personal gain or a specific attraction (the wife). It is used to describe situations where people's motives are not aligned despite being in the same environment.

Man's intellect is crude, woman's intellect is subtle/deeper.

This proverb highlights a traditional observation about gendered thinking styles. It suggests that men tend to have a blunt or straightforward approach (motu), whereas women possess a more refined, intricate, or farsighted perspective (avara). It is used to contrast the simplicity of a man's logic with the complexity and depth of a woman's intuition.

A thief has a thief's mentality, a gentleman has a gentleman's mentality.

This proverb states that a person's character and actions are determined by their innate nature or social standing. It is used to explain that individuals will consistently act according to their established traits or upbringing, whether those are dishonest or noble.

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.