తన కంపు తనకింపు, ఒకరి కంపు ఓకరింపు
tana kampu tanakimpu, okari kampu okarimpu
One's own stench is pleasant to oneself, while another's stench causes nausea.
This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or mistakes (finding them acceptable or 'pleasant'), but are quick to find the faults of others repulsive or unbearable. It is used to describe situations where someone ignores their own shortcomings while criticizing others for the same.
Related Phrases
లోపల కంపు, వెలుపల సొంపు
lopala kampu, velupala sompu
Stench inside, beauty outside
This proverb describes hypocrisy or superficiality. It is used to refer to something or someone that looks attractive, elegant, or virtuous on the surface but is actually rotten, corrupt, or unpleasant on the inside.
తనకంపు తనకింపు, పరులకంపు తనకు వూకిలింపు
tanakampu tanakimpu, parulakampu tanaku vukilimpu
The smell of a man is pleasant to himself, but the smell of others is disgusting. People do not find fault with their own actions.
This proverb is used to describe human nature where people tend to overlook or even justify their own faults, bad habits, or mistakes while finding the same traits in others to be unbearable or disgusting. It highlights personal bias and double standards.
కూరకు తాలింపు, చీరకు జాడింపు
kuraku talimpu, chiraku jadimpu
Tempering for the curry, rinsing for the saree.
This expression highlights the essential finishing touches or actions that bring out the best quality in something. Just as tempering (seasoning) is vital for a curry's flavor, properly rinsing and snapping a saree makes it look crisp and beautiful. It is used to signify that certain processes are indispensable for a perfect result.
గుడ్డకు జాడింపు, కూరకు తాలింపు, కోడలికి సాధింపు, లేకపోతే ఇంపులేదు.
guddaku jadimpu, kuraku talimpu, kodaliki sadhimpu, lekapote impuledu.
Shaking for a cloth, tempering for a curry, and nagging for a daughter-in-law; without these, there is no satisfaction.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs a good shake to be clean and a curry needs tempering for flavor, some believe a daughter-in-law needs constant 'correction' or 'nagging' to keep the household running smoothly. It is often used to describe traditional mothers-in-law who justify their strictness as necessary for household discipline.
పిల్లలేని కంపు, వానలేని వరద
pillaleni kampu, vanaleni varada
The odor without children, the flood without rain.
This proverb is used to describe things that are unnatural, inexplicable, or lacking their primary cause. It refers to a situation where a result is seen without its source, often used to highlight something that feels incomplete, artificial, or suspicious.
మోటుకు మొదటి చోట కంపు, వన్నెగాడికి వళ్లంతా కంపు.
motuku modati chota kampu, vannegadiki vallanta kampu.
A fastidious person suffers more than one who is less par- ticular. (See Roebuck's Persian and Hindustani Proverbs, No. 776, Part II. Sect. I.)
This proverb highlights that while an unrefined person might have obvious flaws, a hypocritical or pretentious person who tries too hard to look good often has deeper, more pervasive issues or faults. It is used to criticize those who prioritize superficial appearances over genuine character.
బయటికి ఇంపు, లోపలికి కంపు
bayatiki impu, lopaliki kampu
Pleasant on the outside, stinking on the inside
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that appears attractive, virtuous, or high-quality on the surface, but is actually rotten, hypocritical, or of poor quality internally. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or referring to a 'whited sepulcher.'
మోటువాడికి మొదటిచోట కంపు, వన్నెగాడికి మూడుచోట్ల కంపు
motuvadiki modatichota kampu, vannegadiki muduchotla kampu
The coarse man smells at the source; the dandy smells in three places.
This proverb highlights that while a simple or unrefined person might have a single obvious flaw, a person who tries too hard to be sophisticated or 'showy' often ends up with multiple layers of pretension or problems. It is used to criticize vanity or the irony of someone trying to appear perfect but failing more miserably than a simple person.
తన కంపు తనకింపు, పరుల కంపు తనకింపదు
tana kampu tanakimpu, parula kampu tanakimpadu
One's own smell is pleasant to oneself, while another's smell is unbearable.
This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or flaws (even finding them acceptable), but are quick to judge or be disgusted by the same flaws in others. It is commonly used to point out hypocrisy or self-centeredness.
గుడ్డకు జాడింపు, కూరకు తాలింపు, కోడలికి సాధింపు లేకున్న ఇంపు లేదు.
guddaku jadimpu, kuraku talimpu, kodaliki sadhimpu lekunna impu ledu.
Rinsing for a cloth, tempering for a curry, and nagging for a daughter-in-law—without these, there is no satisfaction.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb reflecting old social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs vigorous rinsing to be clean and a curry needs tempering (tadka) to be tasty, a daughter-in-law was traditionally thought to need 'discipline' or constant reminders (nagging) to be a good homemaker. It is often used to describe situations where someone is being unnecessarily nitpicked or controlled under the guise of improvement.