తన కలిమి ఇంద్రభోగం, తన లేమి స్వర్గలోక దారిద్ర్యం, తన చావు జలప్రళయం అనుకున్నట్లు.

tana kalimi indrabhogam, tana lemi svargaloka daridryam, tana chavu jalapralayam anukunnatlu.

Translation

Thinking that one's own wealth is the luxury of Indra, one's own poverty is celestial destitution, and one's own death is a great flood.

Meaning

This proverb describes a highly self-centered or narcissistic individual who believes everything revolving around them is of cosmic importance. It is used to mock someone who thinks their successes are extraordinary and their failures are a catastrophe for the entire world.

Related Phrases

It is the strength of the position, not one's own strength.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's power, influence, or authority comes entirely from the position or office they hold rather than their personal merit or capability. It highlights that once the individual leaves that specific role or location, they no longer possess that same power.

While eating one's own food and wearing one's own clothes, should one fear the village?

This expression is used to assert independence and self-reliance. It implies that if a person is self-sufficient, works hard for their own livelihood, and does not depend on others for basic needs like food or clothing, they do not need to worry about societal criticism or be intimidated by others' opinions.

Friendship with a Velama is like wealth seen in a dream.

This proverb suggests that certain friendships or alliances might be unreliable or illusory. Just as wealth gained in a dream disappears upon waking, this expression implies that the benefits or the relationship itself might not hold up or remain tangible in reality when most needed. It is used to caution someone about trusting a connection that lacks a solid, lasting foundation.

It is the strength of the position, not the strength of the person.

This expression emphasizes that a person's power or influence often comes from the position or office they hold rather than their innate abilities. It is used to remind people that once they lose their status or position, their perceived power will also vanish.

One's own death is like the great deluge.

This proverb is used to describe a selfish or narrow perspective where a person feels that if they perish, the whole world might as well end. It refers to individuals who believe that the world only exists as long as they do, or those who don't care about what happens to others after they are gone.

Excessive cupidity leads to excessive poverty. Avarice bursts the bag. (French.)

This proverb suggests that uncontrolled or excessive desire for more often results in losing what one already possesses, leading to a state of lack or misery. It is used to caution people against being overly greedy and to encourage contentment with what is sufficient.

The power of the place is greater than the power of the man. Every man is powerful in his own house. Every one is a king in his own house. (Portuguese.)

This proverb highlights that the environment, position, or support system a person occupies often provides more power and security than their individual physical or mental strength alone. It is used to explain why someone in a strategic position or a supportive territory can overcome even those who are individually more powerful.

The fortune of a stone, a place, and a man cannot be foreseen. The first may be formed into an idol and be worshipped ; the second may be cultivated and made fruitful, or adorned with a beautiful edifice ; and the third may become wealthy and be raised to a position of influence.

This proverb is used to convey that the ultimate fate or hidden potential of a piece of land, a stone, or a human being is unpredictable. Just as an ordinary stone might be carved into a deity and worshipped (Shila Bhogam), or an empty plot might become a palace (Sthala Bhogam), a person's future fortune or destiny is invisible and can change unexpectedly.

A man's having is the wealth of Indra, his not having is the poverty of the world. In prosperity a man thinks himself the wealthiest of all, and in adver- sity the poorest.

This expression describes a self-centered perspective where an individual views their own prosperity as the ultimate luxury (like that of Lord Indra) and their own lack as if the entire world is suffering. It is used to characterize people who are so absorbed in their own circumstances that they lack empathy or objective perspective on the state of others.

If it rains during the Arudra season, there is no poverty.

This is a popular agricultural proverb among Telugu farmers. Arudra is an auspicious star (nakshatra) that signals the onset of the monsoon. The saying implies that if it rains well during this period, the crops will be bountiful, ensuring prosperity and the eradication of poverty for the year.