సొమ్మొకడిది, సోకొకడిది
sommokadidi, sokokadidi
One person's wealth, another person's vanity
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person works hard to earn money or resources, while another person spends it lavishly to show off or enjoy the benefits without any effort. It highlights the unfairness of someone reaping the rewards of another person's labor.
Related Phrases
పేరు పేరయ్యది, పిల్ల ఉమ్మడిది
peru perayyadi, pilla ummadidi
The name belongs to Perayya, but the child belongs to the community.
This proverb describes a situation where one person takes the official credit or responsibility for something, but in reality, many people use it or have a share in it. It is often used to highlight scenarios where something that should be private or exclusive is being treated as common property, or when an individual's authority is only on paper while others exercise control.
వేడుక వేంకటేశ్వరుడిది, గోల గోవిందుడిది
veduka venkateshvarudidi, gola govindudidi
The celebration belongs to Lord Venkateswara, but the noise belongs to the devotee Govindu.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the glory or credit belongs to one person (the center of attention), but the commotion, shouting, or unnecessary hype is created by someone else (the followers or subordinates). It highlights the contrast between the dignity of the core event and the rowdiness of the participants.
అందుకోనే లేకుంటే, తుంచుకో నెక్కడిది
andukone lekunte, tunchuko nekkadidi
If you cannot even reach it, how can you pluck it?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a basic or preliminary requirement has not been met, making the subsequent or desired action impossible. It highlights the gap between one's current ability and their ambitious goals.
తాటికాయవన్నె తప్పడిది
tatikayavanne tappadidi
The color of the palm fruit is deceptive.
This expression refers to something that looks attractive or promising on the outside but turns out to be useless, empty, or disappointing on the inside. It is used to describe deceptive appearances where the external beauty does not reflect the internal quality.
గుడ్డివాడి ఉపాయం గుడ్డివాడిది, గూనివాడి ఉపాయం గూనివాడిది.
guddivadi upayam guddivadidi, gunivadi upayam gunivadidi.
A blind man's plan belongs to the blind man, and a hunchback's plan belongs to the hunchback.
This proverb implies that everyone has their own unique way of thinking, limitations, or perspectives based on their personal circumstances. It is often used to suggest that one person's logic or solution might not be applicable or understandable to others, or that individuals act according to their own specific nature and constraints.
అమరితే ఆడది, అమరకుంటే గాడిది
amarite adadi, amarakunte gadidi
If she adapts, she is a woman; if not, she is a donkey.
This expression describes a fickle or opportunistic attitude towards people. It means that as long as someone is useful or compliant to one's needs, they are treated with respect, but the moment they stop serving that purpose or disagree, they are treated with contempt and insulted.
కర్ర ఎవడిదో బర్రె వాడిది
karra evadido barre vadidi
The buffalo belongs to the one who holds the stick
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Might is Right.' It implies that the person who possesses power, authority, or the means of enforcement (the stick) ultimately controls the resources (the buffalo). It is used to describe situations where strength or influence dictates ownership and outcomes, often regardless of fairness or legality.
ఒకడిని చూస్తే పెట్టబుద్ది, ఇంకొకడిని చూస్తే మొట్టబుద్ది
okadini chuste pettabuddi, inkokadini chuste mottabuddi
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.
అద్దుకునే లేకుంటే తుంచుకునేది ఎక్కడిది?
addukune lekunte tunchukunedi ekkadidi?
If one doesn't even have enough to dip/smear, where would they get enough to pluck/break off?
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or scarcity. It suggests that when a person lacks even the minimum required for a small taste or basic sustenance (like dipping a finger in a sauce), it is foolish to expect them to have enough to take a large portion or share with others. It is used to point out that one cannot provide or spend what they don't even have in a minimal quantity.
దయ దండిది, గుణం మొండిది.
daya dandidi, gunam mondidi.
Compassion is great, but character is stubborn.
This expression highlights the contrast between one's outward kindness and their inherent, unchangeable nature. While a person might show great mercy or charity (Daya), their fundamental temperament or behavioral traits (Gunam) often remain rigid and difficult to alter, regardless of their good intentions.