స్వకార్యధురంధరుడు, స్వామికార్యవంచకుడు.

svakaryadhurandharudu, svamikaryavanchakudu.

Translation

In his own business a great worker, in his master's business a great cheat.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who is extremely diligent and efficient when working for their own personal gain, but lazy, dishonest, or negligent when performing duties for their employer or others. It is used to criticize someone's selfishness and lack of professional integrity.

Related Phrases

There is no effect without a cause. Every why has a wherefore.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'Every effect has a cause' or 'Nothing happens without a reason.' It is used to explain that every action, event, or result is preceded by a specific motive or trigger. In a practical sense, it suggests that if something has occurred, there must be a logical explanation behind it.

There is a cause for all things. (Italian.)*

Like accomplishing the Lord's work and one's own work together.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one action or journey serves two purposes simultaneously—typically a duty or service (the Lord's work) and a personal task (one's own work). It is similar to the English idiom 'killing two birds with one stone.'

Predestined events will be accomplished by Gandharvas. In allusion to the death of Kichaka whom Draupadí declared to have been killed by her husbands the Gandharvas. (See Virâta Parva of the Mahâbhârata.) Gandharvas are celestial musicians. The judgments of God are fulfilled by unseen instruments. The feet of the avenging deities are shod with wool. (Latn.)

This expression is used to suggest that certain inevitable events or difficult tasks will be resolved by external forces or divine intervention without one's direct involvement. It is often cited when a problem seems to solve itself through unexpected circumstances or third parties, similar to the concept of 'destiny taking its course'.

Why etiquette once you have climbed onto the bed?

This proverb implies that once people are in an intimate or private situation, formal manners and social pretenses are unnecessary. It is used to suggest that modesty or formalities are pointless when a certain level of closeness or commitment has already been established.

There is no counting the deeds of a king, nor the deeds of Lord Rama.

This expression is used to describe an overwhelming number of actions or events that are beyond measurement or questioning. It suggests that just as one cannot possibly list every act of a powerful ruler or the divine interventions of Lord Rama, certain situations involve so many details or consequences that they are impossible to fully account for or critique.

There is no questioning the actions of a king or of Râma.

This expression is used to highlight that ordinary greatness cannot be compared to divine or absolute righteousness. It implies that while a king acts based on power or politics, Rama's actions were governed by 'Dharma' (morality). It is used when comparing two things where one is clearly superior in quality or character.

The battlefield (or field of action) for good deeds is the conscience.

This expression emphasizes that the motivation and validation for performing good deeds should come from within one's own soul or conscience, rather than for external praise or societal recognition. It suggests that true morality is an internal commitment.

Self is the king, self is the minister, self is the washerman, self is the barber

This expression describes a person who is completely self-reliant or, more often, a situation where one person has to perform every single task themselves, from high-level decision making to menial chores. It can be used to describe an independent entrepreneur or someone who lacks help and is forced to be a 'one-man show'.

God's work and personal work must happen simultaneously and quickly

This expression is used when a single action or trip serves two purposes: fulfilling an official or spiritual duty while also completing a personal task. It is similar to the English idiom 'killing two birds with one stone', but specifically highlights the balance between duty and self-interest.

Fame is the fragrance of heroic deeds.

This expression means that a person's reputation or fame is a natural byproduct of their brave and noble actions, much like how a flower's fragrance is the result of its existence. It is used to emphasize that one should focus on performing great deeds rather than chasing after fame directly.