పసుపు కొమ్ము ఇవ్వని కోమటి పసారమంతా కొల్ల ఇచ్చాడు
pasupu kommu ivvani komati pasaramanta kolla ichchadu
As impossible as that a Kômaṭi who would not give away a bit of turmeric should allow his whole store to be plundered.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stingy over small things but ends up suffering a massive loss due to that very greed or lack of foresight. It is used to critique someone who tries to save pennies while losing pounds, or whose stubbornness over a trivial matter leads to a total catastrophe.
Related Phrases
పట్టినది చింత కొమ్మ గాని ములగ కొమ్మ కాదు
pattinadi chinta komma gani mulaga komma kadu
What I am clinging to is a Tamarind bough, not a Mulaga. The tamarind wood is pliable, but the Mulaga ( Hyperanthera Moringa ) is brittle. Said by a parasite of his staunch protector.
This expression is used to describe someone who is firm, reliable, and strong. A tamarind branch is known for its extreme flexibility and strength (it doesn't break easily), whereas a drumstick branch is very brittle and snaps quickly. It is used to compliment someone's resilience or to indicate that a task or person is more formidable than they appear.
ఆవులన్నీ యిచ్చి ఒక్క బక్కావు యివ్వకపోతే పాడికి కొరవా.
avulanni yichchi okka bakkavu yivvakapote padiki korava.
If you give away all the cows but hold back one weak cow, will there be a shortage of milk?
This proverb is used to point out the pettiness or hypocrisy of someone who claims to make a huge sacrifice or contribution but becomes stubborn or stingy over a trivial, insignificant detail at the very end. It suggests that once the major part of a task or gift is completed, holding back a small, low-value portion does not truly serve any purpose.
ఇచ్చినవాడు దాత, ఇవ్వనివాడు పాత
ichchinavadu data, ivvanivadu pata
He who gives is a donor, he who does not give is a clout.
This expression highlights that generosity earns a person respect and a lasting legacy. A person who helps others is remembered as a benefactor, whereas someone who is stingy or refuses to help is quickly forgotten or disregarded by society. It is used to encourage charity and reflect on the social value of giving.
The impertinent speech of a beggar.
బర్రె కొమ్ము అంటే, యిర్రి కొమ్ము అంటాడు.
barre kommu ante, yirri kommu antadu.
When one says it is a she-buffalo's horn, the other says it is a doe's. Foolish argumentation.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is habitually argumentative or stubborn. It refers to someone who intentionally contradicts others for the sake of disagreement, even when the facts are clear. It highlights a lack of cooperation or a tendency to be contrary in every conversation.
బంగారమంటి కోమటి సంగీతము మరిగి బేరసారము లుడిగెన్
bangaramanti komati sangitamu marigi berasaramu ludigen
A merchant like gold, once addicted to music, let his business suffer.
This proverb describes a situation where someone neglects their primary duties or professional responsibilities due to a new distraction or obsession. It is used to caution people about how even the most reliable or skilled individuals (like a 'golden' merchant) can face ruin if they lose focus on their core work.
ఇఱ్ఱి కొమ్ము ఈనింది, బఱ్ఱె కొమ్ము అన్నట్టు.
irri kommu inindi, barre kommu annattu.
Like saying the deer's horn gave birth, and the buffalo's horn too.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone blindly follows or repeats a ridiculous or impossible claim made by another person without any logical thinking. It highlights the tendency of people to agree with or amplify rumors and absurdities just because someone else started them.
డబ్బు ఇవ్వను, డబ్బు మీది దుమ్ము ఇవ్వను
dabbu ivvanu, dabbu midi dummu ivvanu
I won't give a Dabb, I won't give the dust on a Dabb. ( 35 ).
This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person who refuses to give away even the slightest bit of their wealth, often to an irrational degree. It highlights a character that is uncompromising and excessively greedy.
దొరలు ఇచ్చిన పాలుకన్నా ధరణి ఇచ్చిన పాలు మేలు.
doralu ichchina palukanna dharani ichchina palu melu.
The share given by the earth is better than that given by the government. Free lands are better when fertile, than shares of grain allotted by government.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the bounty of nature over patronage from the powerful. It suggests that what one earns through honest labor on their own land is superior and more sustainable than gifts or favors received from those in power, which often come with conditions or strings attached.
రూక యివ్వని విటకాని పోటు మెండు.
ruka yivvani vitakani potu mendu.
A customer who doesn't pay a single coin shows excessive aggression.
This proverb describes people who contribute nothing or have no real skin in the game, yet act overly demanding or authoritative. It is used to critique those who want the best results or services without paying or putting in any effort, often compensating for their lack of contribution with empty arrogance or bossiness.
ఎవరు ఇచ్చినది ఈ మాన్యము అంటే, నేనే ఇచ్చుకున్నాను అన్నాడట.
evaru ichchinadi i manyamu ante, nene ichchukunnanu annadata.
When asked " Who gave you the freehold?" he said " I gave it to myself." Said of one who helps himself without regard to the law of meum and tuum.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks legitimate authority or external validation and instead relies on self-proclamations or self-awarded honors. It mocks those who boast about achievements or titles they have unilaterally claimed without any basis in truth or merit.