తల్లి పుస్తి బంగారమైనా, అగసాలి దొంగిలించకుండలేడు
talli pusti bangaramaina, agasali dongilinchakundaledu
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.
Related Phrases
బండి దొంగరికము
bandi dongarikamu
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.
బంగారం కొద్దీ సింగారం
bangaram koddi singaram
The decoration is proportional to the gold available.
This proverb means that the quality or extent of a result depends on the resources or effort invested. It is used to describe situations where you get exactly what you pay for, or where the outcome is limited by the budget or materials provided.
కన్నతల్లి బంగారమైనా కంసాలి వదలడు.
kannatalli bangaramaina kamsali vadaladu.
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.
రోజులు మంచివని పొద్దస్తమానం దొంగిలించినట్లు
rojulu manchivani poddastamanam dongilinchinatlu
Just because the days are good, stealing all day long.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who exploits a favorable situation or a person's kindness to an extreme, irrational, or greedy degree. It suggests that one should not misuse opportunities or luck, as overdoing something wrong just because you haven't been caught yet will eventually lead to trouble.
తల్లి బంగారమైనా కంసాలి దొంగిలించక మానడు.
talli bangaramaina kamsali dongilinchaka manadu.
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.
తల్లి బంగారమైనా కంసాలి దొంగిలిస్తాడు
talli bangaramaina kamsali dongilistadu
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.
ఊళ్ళో అధికారమైనా ఉండాలి ఊరంచున పొలమైనా ఉండాలి
ullo adhikaramaina undali uranchuna polamaina undali
One should either have authority in the village or land on the village outskirts.
This proverb highlights the importance of social status and economic convenience. It suggests that to live comfortably and successfully in a community, one should either possess political/social power (authority) or own fertile land close to the village (utility/wealth) to ensure easy management and prosperity.
వంకాయ దొంగిలించినవాడు టెంకాయ దొంగిలించడా?
vankaya dongilinchinavadu tenkaya dongilinchada?
Will a man who steals a brinjal not steal a coconut?
This proverb suggests that a person who commits a small crime or dishonesty is likely to commit a larger one given the opportunity. It emphasizes that a lack of integrity starts small but can escalate, and one's character is judged by even minor actions. It is used to warn people not to trust someone who has a history of even trivial dishonesty.
వంకాయ దొంగిలించినవాడు టెంకాయకు రాడా?
vankaya dongilinchinavadu tenkayaku rada?
Will the person who stole a brinjal not come for a coconut?
This proverb suggests that a person who commits a small crime or dishonesty will eventually move on to bigger ones. It is used to imply that character is defined by the act of stealing itself, not the value of the object stolen. If someone can justify small wrongdoings, they are capable of larger ones as well.
తల్లి బంగారమైనా కంసాలి దొంగిలించక మానడు
talli bangaramaina kamsali dongilinchaka manadu
Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith cannot resist stealing a bit of it.
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.