తల్లి బంగారమైనా కంసాలి దొంగిలించక మానడు

talli bangaramaina kamsali dongilinchaka manadu

Translation

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith cannot resist stealing a bit of it.

Meaning

This proverb highlights that some people are bound by their professional habits or inherent nature, regardless of personal relationships. It is used to describe a situation where someone's professional greed or compulsive habit overrides their loyalty or ethics, even towards their closest kin.

Related Phrases

If our gold be good, what can the goldsmith do ? The purest gold is the most easily tested, and a goldsmith cannot easily cheat with it. A good character is proof against slander.

This proverb suggests that if our own character or work is flawless, we do not need to fear others trying to cheat us or find faults. It is used to emphasize that self-integrity is the best defense against external criticism or deception.

Stealing a cart. Open robbery.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a mistake or commits a fault, but instead of admitting it, they try to shift the blame onto someone else or act as if they are the victim. It refers to someone being caught in a wrong act but behaving dishonestly to escape the consequences.

The one who loots and gets away is a lord, the one who gets caught is a thief.

This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.

A goldsmith's fraud is only known to a goldsmith. A story is told of a young goldsmith who disguised himself as a Brahman and married a Brahman's daughter. He perceived and dis- closed on one occasion the fraud of another goldsmith who had cheated his father-in-law ; this man in revenge exposed the young impostor.

This proverb implies that the internal secrets, tricks, or professional deceits of a specific trade or group are only understood by those within that same field. It is used to describe situations where one expert can see through the cunning tactics of another expert, while a layperson remains unaware.

Golden hooks do not necessarily catch golden fish.

This expression means that using expensive or high-quality tools does not always guarantee a superior or successful outcome. It highlights that merit, skill, or luck often matter more than the outward appearance or cost of the resources used. It is used to caution against the belief that money alone can buy success.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will not spare it.

This proverb is used to describe people who are so professional, greedy, or habituated to their craft that they do not show bias or mercy even to their closest kin. It specifically refers to the old stereotype that a goldsmith invariably steals a small portion of gold during the making of jewelry, regardless of who the customer is.

Even if it is his mother's wedding locket, a goldsmith cannot refrain from stealing some gold.

This proverb highlights that some people are so habituated to their vices or professional dishonesty that they cannot make exceptions even for their own kin. It is used to describe an ingrained habit or a nature that remains unchanged regardless of the circumstances or emotional ties.

Though the gold were his mother's, the goldsmith would not stick at stealing it.

This proverb is used to describe an ingrained habit or professional trait that transcends personal relationships. It suggests that certain people cannot change their nature or 'tricks of the trade' even when dealing with their closest kin. It is often cited when someone acts according to their reputation or habit despite the circumstances.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will steal a little.

This proverb highlights that some people are so habituated to their professional traits or vices that they cannot overlook them, even for their closest relatives. It is often used to describe inherent professional dishonesty or a person's inability to change their nature regardless of the relationship.

Trusting to the "lucky day" the thief let the dawn overtake him. Taking advantage of liberty.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who overuses or exploits a favorable situation or a piece of luck to an irrational or dangerous extent. It highlights the foolishness of losing one's sense of caution or proportion just because circumstances seem positive.