పాలేరువానికి పశువుపోయినా, మారుతల్లికి బిడ్డపోయినా దిగులులేదు
paleruvaniki pashuvupoyina, marutalliki biddapoyina digululedu
Neither the farmhand worries about the lost cattle, nor the stepmother worries about the lost child.
This proverb is used to describe a lack of empathy or concern in people who do not have a personal stake or emotional bond with their responsibilities. It highlights that those without a sense of ownership or genuine love often remain indifferent to losses that would otherwise be devastating to the rightful owner or biological parent.
Related Phrases
పట్టణానికి పోయిన గాడిద, పల్లెకుపోయిన గాడిదను కరిచిందట
pattananiki poyina gadida, pallekupoyina gadidanu karichindata
The donkey that went to the city bit the donkey that went to the village.
This proverb is used to mock people who return from a big city or a prestigious position and act superior or arrogant toward those who stayed in their hometown or humble roots. It highlights the empty vanity of someone who feels elevated by their environment despite their basic nature remaining the same.
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.
మారులోకానికి వెళ్ళినా, మారుతల్లి వద్దు
marulokaniki vellina, marutalli vaddu
Even if one goes to the other world, one should not have a stepmother.
This proverb highlights the traditional societal view of the difficulties a child faces with a stepmother. It suggests that no matter how hard life gets, or even if one must face the unknown of the afterworld, the hardships caused by a stepmother's lack of biological affection are considered worse.
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.
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.
కాశీకి పోయినా కర్మం తప్పలేదు
kashiki poyina karmam tappaledu
Even after going to Kashi, one's fate/karma cannot be escaped.
This expression means that a person's destiny or the consequences of their past actions follow them regardless of where they go or what pilgrimages they undertake. It is used to describe situations where someone tries to escape their problems or bad luck by changing their location, only to find the same difficulties persisting.
కాశీకి పోయినా విడాకులు తప్పలేదట
kashiki poyina vidakulu tappaledata
Even after going to Kashi, the divorce was inevitable.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unfortunate fate or a persistent problem follows someone regardless of where they go or what sacred actions they perform. It implies that certain consequences or inherent natures cannot be escaped simply by changing one's location or seeking divine intervention.
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.
పులికి పారణం పశువుకు మారణం
puliki paranam pashuvuku maranam
A feast for the tiger is death for the cattle.
This proverb highlights a situation where one person's gain or pleasure results in another's suffering or loss. It is used to describe zero-sum games or exploitative situations where the benefit of the powerful inherently involves the destruction of the weak.
రాతి పశువును పూజిస్తారు, చేతి పశువును బాదుతారు
rati pashuvunu pujistaru, cheti pashuvunu badutaru
They worship the stone animal, but they beat the living animal in their hand.
This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and irony. It refers to people who offer great respect and rituals to idols (stone statues) while mistreating or neglecting the actual living beings or family members right in front of them. It is used to criticize those who value religious symbolism over practical compassion.