పిసినారి సముద్రానికి పోతే, అరికాలు తేమ కాలేదట.

pisinari samudraniki pote, arikalu tema kaledata.

Translation

When a miser went to the ocean, even the sole of his foot did not get wet.

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock extreme miserliness or ill-luck. It suggests that even when surrounded by abundance (like an ocean), a stingy person is so unwilling to spend or participate that they gain nothing from it. It can also refer to people who are so unlucky that they return empty-handed even from a place of infinite resources.

Related Phrases

Like showing salt to the ocean.

This expression is used to describe a redundant or futile action. Just as the ocean is the source of all salt and already contains it in abundance, offering salt to it is pointless. It refers to situations where someone tries to give something to a person who already possesses it in vast quantities, or explains something to an absolute expert.

One should praise the ocean while standing on the shore

This expression means that it is easy to admire or criticize something complex and dangerous from a safe distance. It is used to suggest that one can truly appreciate the magnitude of a situation only when they are not directly endangered or overwhelmed by it, or conversely, that one's perspective is limited when they haven't actually entered the 'waters' of the experience.

Swati carries the ocean under her armpit

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely efficient, resourceful, or capable of achieving seemingly impossible tasks with ease. It highlights extraordinary skill or the power of specific timing (referring to the Swati Nakshatram/star) where a small effort leads to a massive result.

Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.

This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.

The oceans will be filled by the Swati rain.

This proverb refers to the 'Swati' nakshatram (star constellation). It signifies that during the auspicious Swati rain, even a small amount of rain is considered so potent and significant that it metaphorically fills the vast oceans. It is used to describe how a timely blessing or a single positive event can bring immense abundance and fulfillment.

If a horse be starving it will eat even Ârika grass.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme necessity or desperation. It implies that when a person is in dire straits or facing a crisis, they will set aside their high standards, pride, or preferences and accept whatever humble resources or low-quality options are available to survive.

The sea to a desperate man is as [ shallow water only up to ] his knees. Men in despair fear nothing. Despair gives courage to a coward.

This proverb describes a state of desperation or extreme courage born out of having nothing left to lose. When someone is facing certain death or a total downfall, even the most daunting obstacles (like a vast ocean) seem trivial or manageable to them because they no longer fear the consequences.

No matter how many twists and turns a river takes, it must eventually fall into the sea.

This expression means that regardless of the various paths, diversions, or obstacles one faces, the ultimate destiny or end goal remains the same. It is often used to describe situations where a final outcome is inevitable, or to suggest that different approaches will eventually lead to the same conclusion.

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.

When she went in a rush, she gave birth to a girl child.

This proverb is used to mock someone who acts with extreme impatience or haste, only to end up with a result that is either ordinary or contrary to their expectations. It highlights that rushing doesn't guarantee a superior or desired outcome.