పాసిపండ్లమ్మ సంపాదిస్తే బంగారు పండ్లమ్మ ఖర్చుపెట్టినట్లు

pasipandlamma sampadiste bangaru pandlamma kharchupettinatlu

Translation

Like the woman with dirty teeth earning while the woman with golden teeth spends it all.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person works extremely hard in difficult or 'dirty' conditions to earn money, while another person, who lives a life of luxury or puts on appearances, simply spends or wastes that hard-earned wealth. It highlights the disparity between the laborer and the consumer.

Related Phrases

Bodies are not eternal; tell my husband not to spend money on the bride-price.

This expression is used to describe a person who uses high philosophy or grand ideals as a pretext for their stinginess or to avoid spending money. It mocks someone who pretends to be detached from worldly desires only when it benefits their wallet.

Like having a thorny bush under a fruit-bearing tree

This expression is used to describe a situation where something beneficial or pleasant is accompanied by an unexpected nuisance or danger. It highlights how a good experience can be ruined or made difficult to access by a small but significant problem nearby, similar to how thorns make it hard to reach for sweet fruits.

You get gold out of earth and earth out of gold. i. e. you buy land with money.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable nature of luck and timing. It suggests that when one is going through a fortunate period, even a worthless effort (mud) turns into wealth (gold), but during an unfortunate period, even a valuable investment (gold) can turn into a loss (mud). It is often used to describe the irony of success and failure.

While the one with dirty teeth brought it, the one with golden teeth ate it.

This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or struggles to earn something, but a more privileged or lucky person enjoys the benefits or rewards. It highlights the irony of labor versus enjoyment.

Will there be mango juice inside jackfruits?

This rhetorical question is used to point out that one cannot expect a specific quality or result from a source that is fundamentally different. It highlights that every object or person has their own inherent nature, and it is foolish to expect something contrary to that nature.

Golden hooks do not necessarily catch golden fish.

This expression means that using expensive or high-quality tools does not always guarantee a superior or successful outcome. It highlights that merit, skill, or luck often matter more than the outward appearance or cost of the resources used. It is used to caution against the belief that money alone can buy success.

When the master fed the Dâsaris (devotees of Vishṇu), the mistress fed the Jangams (devotees of Śiva). Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb describes a situation where both partners in a couple or group are equally charitable, or more commonly, equally wasteful and extravagant in spending resources on outsiders. It is used to highlight a lack of financial coordination or a mutual tendency to give away assets, often leading to the depletion of the household's wealth.

When asked 'Wife, do you have any work or chores?', she replied 'Let's go to sleep'.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is extremely lazy or avoids responsibilities. It highlights a situation where, when prompted to be productive or do some work, a person suggests resting or sleeping instead of contributing.

If the rich man doesn't spend, people talk; if the poor man spends, people talk.

This expression highlights how society is quick to criticize everyone regardless of their financial status. If a wealthy person is frugal, they are called a miser. If a poor person spends money, they are mocked for living beyond their means. It is used to suggest that one cannot satisfy everyone's opinions and should act according to their own conscience.

The woman with gold won't untie her bundle; the woman with a small coin won't stop folding and unfolding hers.

This proverb highlights human behavior regarding wealth. A truly wealthy person stays calm and doesn't show off, whereas a person with very little wealth constantly fusses over it and displays it to everyone to feel important.