పైసా పైసా ఏం జేస్తావంటే, ప్రాణం వంటి మిత్రుణ్ణి పగ చేస్తానందిట

paisa paisa em jestavante, pranam vanti mitrunni paga chestanandita

Translation

When asked 'Money, money, what can you do?', it replied 'I can turn a soulmate into an enemy.'

Meaning

This proverb highlights the destructive power of money in personal relationships. It warns that even the deepest, life-long friendships can be destroyed by greed or financial disputes. It is used to caution people to keep financial dealings and friendships separate or to be wary of how money changes people's loyalties.

Related Phrases

When a man expressed his trust in Râmanna, the latter promised to make him as great a man as himself. Râmanna was really a beggar though pretending to be a great man.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust or reliance on another person results in them being dragged down to that person's level of misfortune or mediocrity. It warns about trusting people who are in a bad state themselves, as they might end up making your situation as bad as theirs.

If a copper coin is valid, even a royal child will come down.

This proverb highlights the power of money. It suggests that if one has wealth (even as small as a copper coin), they can command the attention and service of those from high status. In modern usage, it implies that money can bridge any social gap and get work done.

This way, money

This expression is used to describe a situation where things are clear-cut, settled instantly, or when a transaction is completed immediately without any pending dues. It is often used to signify 'job well done' or 'deal closed' in a colloquial sense.

There is no waste in charity, and there is no pay for forced labor.

This proverb highlights two contrasting concepts: that giving to a good cause is never a loss or waste of resources, whereas forced labor (vetti) provides no financial reward or compensation to the worker. It is used to encourage voluntary service or charity while acknowledging the exploitative nature of unpaid toil.

When asked 'What is with this showing off, brother?', he replied 'I don't have a single paisa, younger brother.'

This proverb is used to mock people who boast or show off their status and lifestyle while actually being broke or having no resources. It highlights the irony of people maintaining a grand facade despite having an empty pocket.

Either one way or the other.

Originally derived from Hindi 'Aisa Paisa', it is commonly used in Telugu to describe a situation that is settled decisively, a 'do or die' moment, or a final deal where there is no further negotiation. It implies a quick and clear-cut resolution.

( Corrupted from the Hindustani.) * Il ne faut point se dépouiller avant de se coucher.

When asked what grandma is doing, it's like saying she is spilling things and then picking them up.

This proverb is used to describe someone who engages in futile, unproductive, or repetitive work that yields no actual result. It refers to a situation where a person stays busy by creating their own problems just to solve them, essentially wasting time and effort without any progress.

The Supreme Being resides in a penny.

This expression emphasizes the importance of money and financial stability in the world. It suggests that even the smallest amount of money has divine power or significant value, often used to justify the pursuit of wealth or to highlight how money controls human affairs and provides security.

A medicine like a thunderbolt weapon for a disease like Lord Rama's arrow.

This expression is used to describe a powerful, infallible remedy applied to a severe or unstoppable problem. In Telugu culture, 'Ramabanam' (Rama's arrow) symbolizes something that never misses its mark (here referring to a persistent or lethal ailment), while 'Vajrayudham' (Indra's weapon) represents the ultimate, indestructible cure that can overcome such a formidable challenge.

When I said 'I trust you, Ramanna', it's like you tried to make me just like yourself.

This expression is used when someone exploits or betrays the trust of a person who relied on them for help, often by dragging the victim down to their own miserable level or situation instead of uplifting them. It describes a situation where seeking assistance results in being burdened with the helper's own problems.