పొరుగు పచ్చగా ఉంటే, పొయ్యిలో నీళ్లు పోసుకున్నట్టు
porugu pachchaga unte, poyyilo nillu posukunnattu
When his neighbour prospered he poured water on his own hearth.
This proverb describes the toxic nature of extreme envy. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success or prosperity (being 'green') that they self-destruct or extinguish their own progress and happiness (extinguishing their own cooking fire) out of spite or misery.
An envious act. To lose one eye that you may deprive another of two. (Spanish.)!
Related Phrases
ఇల్లు కాలుతుంటే వాసాలు పీక్కున్నట్టు
illu kalutunte vasalu pikkunnattu
Like pulling the rafters out of a burning house. A clumsy expedient.
This proverb describes a person's extreme selfishness or greed. It refers to someone who tries to gain a small, petty benefit from a catastrophic situation or someone else's misfortune, instead of helping or showing empathy.
పచ్చగడ్డికి నీళ్ళు ఆగుతాయా?
pachchagaddiki nillu agutaya?
Does water stay on green grass?
This expression is used to describe two people who are extremely hostile toward each other. It implies that their relationship is so volatile or their hatred so intense that they cannot coexist peacefully even for a moment, much like water quickly sliding off blades of grass.
పొరుగు పచ్చగా ఉంటే పొయ్యిలో నీళ్ళు పోసుకున్నట్లు
porugu pachchaga unte poyyilo nillu posukunnatlu
Like pouring water into one's own stove when the neighbor is flourishing.
This proverb describes the height of envy and spite. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success (greenery/prosperity) that they self-destruct or stop their own progress out of sheer malice or depression caused by seeing others thrive.
తన బుట్టి చిల్లులదైతే, పొరుగువానితో అపరాలు కొలిచాడట
tana butti chilluladaite, poruguvanito aparalu kolichadata
When his Puṭṭi was found to be of short measure, he tested the Pandum and Para of his neighbour. Puṭṭi, Pandum and Para are measures of capacity. When a man was found cheating with a false measure, he tried to prove that his neighbour's measures were too large.
This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores their own glaring flaws or lack of resources while trying to compete with or involve themselves in others' business. It highlights the irony of someone attempting to manage a task when they don't even have the basic tools ready, often resulting in waste or failure.
ఎదుటి పొయ్యి మండితే తన పొయ్యిలో నీళ్లు పోసుకున్నట్టు
eduti poyyi mandite tana poyyilo nillu posukunnattu
When the fire was lighted in the opposite house, he threw water on his own.
This expression describes the irrational and self-destructive nature of extreme jealousy. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy of another person's success or prosperity that they sabotage their own progress or well-being out of spite or sheer frustration.
An envious man waxes lean with the fatness of his neighbour. Envy is its own torturer. ( Danish ? ) * Wer einen lobt in Praesentia und schimpft in Absentia, den hole die Pestilentia. † Avindayg er sin egen Böddel.
ఓటి కుండలో నీళ్ళు పోసినట్టు
oti kundalo nillu posinattu
Like pouring water into a leaky pot
This expression is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are being completely wasted on something that cannot be salvaged or retained. It refers to a futile action where despite continuous input, there is no result or progress because the foundation is fundamentally flawed or broken.
ముంతెడు నీళ్లకే జడిస్తే, బానెడు నీళ్లు ఎవరు పోసుకొంటారు?
muntedu nillake jadiste, banedu nillu evaru posukontaru?
If you take fright at a cupful of water, who will bathe with a boilful?
This proverb is used to mock someone who is hesitant or fearful of a small, minor challenge. It suggests that if a person cannot handle a trivial difficulty, they will never be able to manage much larger responsibilities or hardships.
దాగబోయిన చోట దయ్యాలు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
dagaboyina chota dayyalu pattukunnatlu
The devils caught him in the place he went to hide in. One ill calls another. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, while trying to escape or hide from a small problem or danger, ends up encountering a much bigger or more terrifying trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
తెల్లగా ఉంటే పాలు, నల్లగా ఉంటే నీళ్లు
tellaga unte palu, nallaga unte nillu
If it's white it's milk, if it's dark it's water. Said of a simple minded, guileless man.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely naive, innocent, or gullible. It refers to someone who lacks discernment and blindly believes whatever they are told based on superficial appearances without any critical thinking.
వడ్డించేవాడు మనవాడైతే, కడబంతిలో కూర్చున్నా భయం లేదు
vaddinchevadu manavadaite, kadabantilo kurchunna bhayam ledu
If the person serving the food is one of our own, there is no fear even if we sit in the last row.
This proverb signifies that if you have an influential person or a decision-maker on your side, you will get what you deserve (or more) regardless of your position or timing. It is often used to describe nepotism or the advantages of having powerful connections.