తన బంగారము కాకపోతే వన్నే లేదు, వెరపూ లేదు.
tana bangaramu kakapote vanne ledu, verapu ledu.
If it is not his own gold, it has no colour and no touch ( fineness. ) The purchaser depreciates the value of an article brought for sale.
This expression is used to describe a person who behaves recklessly or carelessly because they have no personal stake or investment in a situation. It highlights the lack of responsibility one feels when dealing with someone else's property or efforts.
Related Phrases
మోహము లేకపోతే, మోదము లేదు.
mohamu lekapote, modamu ledu.
Where there is no love, there is no delight.
This proverb explains that without passion, attachment, or desire (Mohamu) for something, one cannot experience true happiness or delight (Modamu) in achieving or having it. It highlights that interest is the prerequisite for enjoyment.
సిద్ధప్ప వంటి శిష్యుడూ లేడు, బ్రహ్మంగారి వంటి గురువూ లేడు, వేమన వంటి యోగీ లేడు.
siddhappa vanti shishyudu ledu, brahmangari vanti guruvu ledu, vemana vanti yogi ledu.
There is no disciple like Siddappa, no teacher like Brahmamgari, and no yogi like Vemana.
This expression is used to highlight the absolute pinnacle or ideal standard of a specific role. It honors the legendary bond between Guru (Potuluru Veerabrahmendra Swamy) and Shishya (Siddappa), as well as the profound philosophical contributions of Yogi Vemana. It is often cited to emphasize excellence, loyalty, and spiritual mastery.
బంగారపు కత్తి
bangarapu katti
A golden knife. Said of something of intrinsic value but of no utility.
This expression is used to describe something that is beautiful or attractive but nonetheless harmful or dangerous. Just because a knife is made of gold, it doesn't mean it won't cut; it implies that one should not be deceived by outward elegance when the inherent nature is destructive.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరం లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaram ledu
Neither a string nor a top.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరమూ లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaramu ledu
Neither a string nor a top
This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.
మున్నూటి కులానికి ముప్పు లేదు, మొండి కాలికి చెప్పు లేదు.
munnuti kulaniki muppu ledu, mondi kaliki cheppu ledu.
The pedigree of a family numbering three hundred branches cannot be traced nor can a shoe be made to fit a mained foot. A hopeless task.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social observations. The first part suggests that a large, united community (specifically the Munnuru Kapu) is resilient and protected from threats. The second part is a metaphorical observation that some things are impractical or impossible, such as fitting a sandal on a leg without a foot. It is used to describe inherent strengths or undeniable, sometimes harsh, realities.
కప్పకాటు లేదు, బాపన పోటు లేదు
kappakatu ledu, bapana potu ledu
Neither the bite of a frog, nor the blow of a Brahmin.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely harmless or insignificant. Since frogs do not bite and Brahmins (traditionally viewed as non-violent scholars) do not strike, the phrase suggests that there is no danger or impact to worry about from a particular source or situation.
పాగావంటి బంధువుడూ లేడు, అంగరకావంటి హరాంభోరూ లేడు.
pagavanti bandhuvudu ledu, angarakavanti harambhoru ledu.
There is no relation like your turband, there is no scamp equal to your jacket. A turband can be tied so as to hide all holes, which is not the case with the jacket; the turband is therefore likened to a trustworthy friend, and the jacket to an unfaithful fellow.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting on social status and the burden of maintenance. A turban (paga) represents one's honor and dignity, staying close like a loyal relative. In contrast, an 'Angaraka' (a traditional long coat) requires constant care and cleaning, much like a person who consumes resources without giving back (harambhoru/freeloader).
ఆవాహన లేదు, విసర్జన లేదు.
avahana ledu, visarjana ledu.
No invocation, no dismissal.
This expression refers to a state of complete indifference or lack of formal procedure. It is used to describe someone who doesn't follow any rules, doesn't start or finish tasks properly, or remains totally unbothered and detached regardless of the situation or guests arriving/leaving.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.