పగవానింట పది బిచ్చాలు పోయినా పోయినవే
pagavaninta padi bichchalu poyina poyinave
If alms are given ten times in an enemy's house, so much the better.
This proverb suggests that one should not expect help or goodwill from an enemy. Even if they appear to give something or help you, it is likely temporary, unreliable, or comes with hidden strings that ultimately result in a loss for you. It emphasizes the importance of self-respect and the futility of depending on those who wish you ill.
Related Phrases
పదను పోయిన కత్తి, అదును పోయిన సేద్యం
padanu poyina katti, adunu poyina sedyam
A knife that has lost its sharpness, and farming that has missed its season.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and readiness. Just as a blunt knife is useless for cutting, farming becomes futile if the right season or opportunity is missed. It is used to convey that actions must be taken at the appropriate time to be effective.
కన్నెతనం పోయినా, అన్న మాట పోయినా బతుకే భారం
kannetanam poyina, anna mata poyina batuke bharam
If virginity is lost, or if a given word is lost, life becomes a burden.
This expression emphasizes the extreme importance of integrity and keeping one's promises. In traditional contexts, it compares the loss of a person's reputation or honor (symbolized by broken promises) to the irreversible loss of virtue, suggesting that living without honor or credibility is a heavy burden.
పగవాని యింట పది బిచ్చాలు పోయినా పోయినవే
pagavani yinta padi bichchalu poyina poyinave
Even if ten alms are lost in an enemy's house, they are simply gone.
This proverb suggests that one should not expect any benefit, hospitality, or return from an enemy. Even if you give or lose something valuable to an adversary, it should be considered a total loss because an enemy will never acknowledge the gesture or reciprocate. It is used to advise people to avoid dealings with those who harbor ill-will.
కుమ్మరికి పశువులు పోయినా, మారటతల్లికి బిడ్డలు పోయినా బాధలేదు
kummariki pashuvulu poyina, maratatalliki biddalu poyina badhaledu
Neither the potter cares if the cattle are lost, nor the stepmother cares if the children are lost.
This proverb describes extreme indifference or lack of empathy. It highlights situations where individuals are completely unconcerned about losses that do not directly affect their personal interests or emotional bonds. It is used to criticize someone's cold-heartedness or apathy towards the misfortune of others.
వెంట పోయినా వెనుక పోరాదు
venta poyina venuka poradu
Even if you go along with someone, do not walk behind them.
This proverb suggests that it is better to walk beside someone as an equal or companion rather than following them like a servant or subordinate. It emphasizes self-respect and warns against putting oneself in a position where one might be ignored or treated with less importance while traveling or working together.
బిచ్చానికి పోయినా బిగువు తప్పలేదు, దుప్పటి పోయినా వల్లెవాటు తప్పలేదు
bichchaniki poyina biguvu tappaledu, duppati poyina vallevatu tappaledu
Even when going to beg, the arrogance didn't drop; even when the blanket was lost, the style of wearing the cloth didn't change.
This proverb describes a person who, despite being in a destitute or miserable condition, refuses to give up their false pride, vanity, or pretentiousness. It is used to mock people who maintain an air of superiority or maintain expensive habits even when they are bankrupt or in need of help.
పోయిన మగడు పోయినా, పొన్నకాయలా గుండు కుదిరింది
poyina magadu poyina, ponnakayala gundu kudirindi
Even if the husband is gone, the head shave is as perfect as a Ponnakaaya fruit.
A sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone overlooks a major loss or disaster and instead focuses on a trivial or insignificant detail that turned out well. It highlights a misplaced sense of priority or an inappropriate focus on minor aesthetics/outcomes amidst a tragedy.
ఒకలింగడు పోయినా పోయినట్లు, బాగా నమిలి మ్రింగమన్నాడట.
okalingadu poyina poyinatlu, baga namili mringamannadata.
One Lingadu may be gone, but chew well and swallow, he said.
This proverb describes a situation where someone experiences a significant loss or misfortune, yet they continue to focus on trivial or unrelated matters, or offer unsolicited, minor advice in the face of a larger disaster. It is used to mock people who remain stubbornly focused on small details when everything is already ruined.
ఉన్నది గట్టు, పోయినది పొట్టు
unnadi gattu, poyinadi pottu
What remains is the bank (solid ground), what is lost is the husk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where, after a loss or a filtering process, only the essential or valuable part remains while the useless or trivial part is gone. It is often used to console someone by pointing out that even if something was lost, the core strength or the most important asset is still intact.
బిచ్చానికి పోయినా బిగువు తప్పలేదు, దుప్పటి పోయినా వల్లెవాటు తప్పలేదు
bichchaniki poyina biguvu tappaledu, duppati poyina vallevatu tappaledu
Although he goes to beg his pride is not diminished, although his cloth has gone the scarf is not removed from his neck.
This proverb describes a person who maintains an air of false pride or arrogance even after losing everything or falling into a miserable state. It is used to mock someone who refuses to let go of their vanity despite being in a position where they must beg or rely on others.
There's nothing agrees worse, than a proud mind and a beggar's purse. * Man kan ikke see en Anden langer end til Tenderne.