పేదవాడిని చూస్తే పేలాలు తుళ్ళుతాయి

pedavadini chuste pelalu tullutayi

Translation

Seeing a poor person, even parched grains jump.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe people who, despite having very little or being of low status themselves, try to mock or look down upon someone they perceive as even poorer or weaker. It highlights the irony of someone insignificant showing arrogance.

Related Phrases

If given, it's a wedding; if not, it's total destruction.

This expression describes an extreme, 'all or nothing' attitude or a situation that results in either a grand celebration or complete ruin. It is often used to characterize people who are unpredictable and prone to overreacting—becoming overly generous when happy but destructive or hostile when they don't get their way.

Looking at the ox brings affection, but looking at its struggle to pull brings weariness.

This proverb highlights the contrast between the attractive appearance or potential of something and the harsh reality of the hard work or effort required to manage it. It is used when someone likes the idea or the look of a project or responsibility, but is discouraged once they see the difficult labor involved in executing it.

When a poor man is angry, he only bursts his own lips. Anger without power is folly. (German.) Anger makes a rich man hated, and a poor man scorned.

This proverb suggests that when a person with no power or resources gets angry, it only hurts them further rather than affecting others. It is used to describe a situation where expressing frustration is futile because the person lacks the influence to bring about change, often resulting in self-inflicted stress or negative consequences for themselves.

A home's appearance reveals the housewife's beauty.

This proverb suggests that the cleanliness, organization, and upkeep of a home are a direct reflection of the character, competence, and management skills of the person in charge of it. It is used to emphasize that true beauty or worth is seen in how one maintains their responsibilities and environment.

Looking at one person makes you want to give, looking at another makes you want to hit.

This expression describes how human behavior and generosity are often reactive to a person's character or attitude. It implies that some people naturally evoke kindness and charity, while others, due to their behavior or nature, provoke irritation or anger.

Looking at the husband causes irritation, but looking at a widow (mistress) brings delight.

This proverb is used to describe a person who dislikes or finds fault with their own family or legitimate responsibilities but shows great enthusiasm and affection for outsiders or improper things. It highlights misplaced priorities and hypocrisy in one's behavior.

A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.

This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.

Even to tell a beggar to leave, the mother-in-law must say it and the daughter-in-law must execute it.

This proverb highlights the rigid hierarchy and traditional power dynamics within a household. It suggests that while the daughter-in-law does the actual work, the final authority or decision-making power rests with the elder (mother-in-law). It is used to describe situations where even simple tasks require a formal chain of command or permission from superiors.

Seeing one person makes you want to give, seeing another makes you want to hit

This proverb describes how different people's behavior or character evokes different reactions. One person's kindness or need inspires generosity, while another person's arrogance or annoyance provokes irritation and the urge to scold or strike them.

A poor man's anger is a harm to his own lip.

This proverb suggests that when a person with no power or resources gets angry, it only ends up hurting them further rather than affecting the person they are angry at. In practical terms, it means that the weak cannot afford to express anger against the strong as it only brings self-destruction or unnecessary trouble to themselves.