ఒకరి కలిమికి ఏడిస్తే ఒక కన్ను పోయింది, తన లేమికి ఏడిస్తే మరి ఒక కన్ను పోయింది.
okari kalimiki ediste oka kannu poyindi, tana lemiki ediste mari oka kannu poyindi.
By weeping at the good fortune of another he lost one eye, and by weeping at his own ill fortune he lost the other.
This proverb highlights the destructive nature of envy and self-pity. It suggests that being jealous of others' success and constantly lamenting one's own misfortunes leads to total ruin and loss of perspective. It is used to advise people to focus on their own growth rather than comparing themselves to others.
* Anlourd 'hui roi, demain rien. † Heut' im Puts, morgen im Schmutz.
Related Phrases
పోయిన కంటికి మందు వేస్తే, ఉన్న కన్నూ ఊడ్చుకొని పోయింది
poyina kantiki mandu veste, unna kannu udchukoni poyindi
When he applied medicine to his bad eye, the sight of the other eye was lost.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to fix a problem or recover a loss ends up causing even more damage or losing what little was left. It is used when a remedy is worse than the disease or when a risky move results in a total loss.
కలిమికి పొంగరాదు, లేమికి కుంగరాదు.
kalimiki pongaradu, lemiki kungaradu.
Do not swell with wealth, do not sink with poverty.
This proverb teaches emotional stability and equanimity. It suggests that one should not become arrogant or overly excited when they possess wealth (success), nor should they become deeply depressed or lose hope during times of scarcity (failure). It encourages maintaining a balanced state of mind regardless of life's ups and downs.
బాధకు ఒక కాలము, భాగ్యానికి ఒక కాలము.
badhaku oka kalamu, bhagyaniki oka kalamu.
A time for misfortune, a time for fortune.
This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.
ఒక కన్ను పువ్వు కన్ను, ఇంకో కన్ను కాయ కన్ను
oka kannu puvvu kannu, inko kannu kaya kannu
One eye is a flower eye, the other eye is a fruit eye.
This expression is used to describe partiality or double standards shown by a person. It refers to a situation where someone treats one person or side with kindness and favor (the soft flower) while treating another with harshness or severity (the hard unripe fruit).
పుట్టిన పిల్లలు బువ్వకు ఏడిస్తే, అవ్వ మొగుడికి ఏడ్చిందట.
puttina pillalu buvvaku ediste, avva mogudiki edchindata.
When the children cried for food, the grandmother cried for a husband. Wishing for something quite unsuitable to one's age.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being incredibly selfish or insensitive, focusing on their own inappropriate or secondary desires while others around them are suffering from a basic, urgent crisis.
* Chi l'ha per natura, fin alla fossa dura.
కడుపు కూటికి ఏడిస్తే, కొప్పు పూలకు ఏడ్చినది
kadupu kutiki ediste, koppu pulaku edchinadi
When the belly cried for food, the hair cried for flowers.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a stark contrast between basic needs and superficial desires. It is used when someone asks for luxuries or trivial things while another person is struggling for basic survival or facing a serious crisis.
ఒక కన్ను కన్నూ కాదు, ఒక కొడుకు కొడుకూ కాడు
oka kannu kannu kadu, oka koduku koduku kadu
One eye is no eye, one son is no son.
This proverb suggests that relying on a single resource or individual is risky. Just as losing one's only eye leads to total blindness, depending on an only child (or a single point of failure) leaves one vulnerable. It is used to emphasize the importance of backups, security, or having multiple supports in life.
కుమ్మరికి ఒక ఏడు, గుదియకు ఒక పెట్టు
kummariki oka edu, gudiyaku oka pettu
One year to the potter, one blow to the cudgel. The cudgel destroys in one blow what has cost the potter a year's labour. The sudden loss of that gained by much labour.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the time and effort taken to create something versus how easily it can be destroyed. It is used to describe situations where long-term hard work is undone in a single moment of misfortune or a single careless act.
తన పిల్ల తవిటికి ఏడిస్తే, లంజ పిల్ల రావిరేకకు ఏడ్చినదట
tana pilla tavitiki ediste, lanja pilla ravirekaku edchinadata
When the legitimate child cried for bran ( the poorest food ) the illegitimate child asked for an ornament.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone with no legitimate claim or status demands luxuries or expensive items, while those who are actually entitled or in need are struggling for basic necessities. It highlights the audacity of making unreasonable or extravagant demands when the basic needs of others are not being met.
An unreasonable request at an inopportun time.
తనకు లేదని ఏడ్చి ఒక కన్ను పోతే, ఎదుటివారికి ఉందని ఏడ్చి ఇంకొక కన్ను పోయిందట.
tanaku ledani edchi oka kannu pote, edutivariki undani edchi inkoka kannu poyindata.
Crying for not having something cost one eye, and crying because others have it cost the second eye.
This proverb describes extreme envy or a toxic competitive mindset. It refers to a person who is so consumed by their own lack and, more destructively, by others' success, that they end up causing their own total ruin. It is used to criticize those who cannot tolerate the prosperity of others.