సొమ్మేమి లక్ష్యము, మనిషేమి పావనము
sommemi lakshyamu, manishemi pavanamu
What good is there in money ? what purity is there in man ?
This expression highlights that material possessions or money are secondary to a person's character, integrity, and sanctity. It is used to emphasize that human values and the quality of an individual's soul are far more important than their financial status.
Related Phrases
నాకే కుక్కకు లింగమేమి పానవట్టమేమి
nake kukkaku lingamemi panavattamemi
What does a licking dog care about the Lingam or the Panavattam?
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks decency, respect, or a sense of sanctity. Just as a dog would lick anything without regard for its religious significance (the Shiva Lingam or its base, the Panavattam), a person without shame or character will act inappropriately regardless of the situation or the importance of the objects/people involved.
పది భక్ష్యాలు తినే లక్ష్యయ్యకు ఒక భక్ష్యము లక్ష్యమా
padi bhakshyalu tine lakshyayyaku oka bhakshyamu lakshyama
For Lakshmayya who eats ten sweets, is one sweet a matter of concern?
This proverb is used to describe a person who handles large challenges or massive tasks effortlessly, implying that a minor version of that task is trivial for them. It plays on the name 'Lakshmayya' and the word 'Lakshyam' (target/concern). It is similar to saying 'A person used to dealing with thousands won't blink at a single rupee.'
బలవంతాన పిల్లను ఇస్తానంటే, కులమేమి గోత్రమేమి అని అడిగినాడట
balavantana pillanu istanante, kulamemi gotramemi ani adiginadata
When one offered his daughter unasked to another, he was answered " What is your caste and what is your Gotra ?" When a man goes out of his way to make an unusual offer, his inten- tions are apt to be suspected.
This proverb is used to describe a person who shows unnecessary arrogance or makes fussy demands when someone is desperately trying to help them or do them a favor. It highlights the irony of a person who is in no position to negotiate but still tries to act superior or picky.
కోమటి సాక్ష్యం
komati sakshyam
A merchant's testimony
This expression is used to describe a statement or evidence that is intentionally vague, non-committal, or deceptive. Just as a merchant might avoid taking a firm side to protect their business interests, 'Komati Sakshyam' refers to a testimony where the speaker avoids giving a direct answer or tries to please both parties without revealing the truth.
కోమటి సాక్ష్యము
komati sakshyamu
A Kômaṭi's evidence. A story is told of a Kômaṭi who, when asked to identify a horse about which a Mussalman and Hindu were quarrelling, said the forepart of it looked like the Mussalman's horse and the hindpart like the Hindu's.
This expression refers to a statement or testimony that is ambiguous, non-committal, or clever enough to avoid taking a definitive side. It is used to describe a situation where someone speaks in a way that protects their own interests while technically answering a question, often leaving the listener in confusion.
నిరక్షరకుక్షి విరూపాక్ష దీక్షితులవారికి, ఇరువది యొక్క భక్ష్యమొక లక్ష్యమా
niraksharakukshi virupaksha dikshitulavariki, iruvadi yokka bhakshyamoka lakshyama
For the illiterate Virupaksha Deekshita, are twenty-one sweets a challenge?
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks knowledge or skill in a particular area but excels in consumption or simple physical tasks. It highlights a contrast between a lack of intellectual depth ('illiterate') and a huge appetite or capacity for material indulgence. It is often used sarcastically to refer to someone who is more interested in eating than learning.
నిరక్షర కుక్షి, విరూపాక్ష దీక్షితుల వారికి ఇరవై ఒక్క భక్ష్యం ఒక్క లక్ష్యమా అన్నట్లు
nirakshara kukshi, virupaksha dikshitula variki iravai okka bhakshyam okka lakshyama annatlu
For a person with an empty/illiterate stomach like Virupaksha Dikshita, is eating twenty-one sweets even a challenge?
This proverb is used to describe a person who is uneducated or lacks intellectual depth (nirakshara kukshi) but has an insatiable appetite or a singular focus on material consumption. It suggests that for someone who doesn't spend time on learning or refinement, performing a task of indulgence—like eating a large number of sweets—is effortless and of no consequence.
తన కలిమి యింద్రభోగము, తనలేమి లోకదారిద్ర్యము
tana kalimi yindrabhogamu, tanalemi lokadaridryamu
A man's having is the wealth of Indra, his not having is the poverty of the world. In prosperity a man thinks himself the wealthiest of all, and in adver- sity the poorest.
This expression describes a self-centered perspective where an individual views their own prosperity as the ultimate luxury (like that of Lord Indra) and their own lack as if the entire world is suffering. It is used to characterize people who are so absorbed in their own circumstances that they lack empathy or objective perspective on the state of others.
దొంగా మనిషే
donga manishe
A thief is but a man.
This expression is used to remind others that even someone who has done something wrong (like a thief) is still a human being deserving of basic dignity or human rights. It is often invoked to discourage excessive cruelty or over-the-top punishment, suggesting that one should not lose their own humanity while judging another's mistakes.
వినయము లోకవశ్యము, విద్య రాజవశ్యము.
vinayamu lokavashyamu, vidya rajavashyamu.
Humility subjects the world, learning subjects kings. Humility often gains more than pride. ( Italian. )
This proverb highlights the different powers of character and intellect. It suggests that while formal education and knowledge (Vidya) grant one influence over rulers or authorities, it is humility (Vinayamu) and good conduct that win the hearts of people and the world at large.