తన సొమ్ము కాసుబెట్టడుగాని, పరులసొమ్ము హరింప బ్రహ్మకాయ.

tana sommu kasubettadugani, parulasommu harimpa brahmakaya.

Translation

He won't spend even a penny of his own, but for seizing others' wealth, he is a master.

Meaning

This expression describes a person who is extremely stingy when it comes to spending their own money, yet is incredibly greedy and skilled at misappropriating or consuming the resources of others. It is used to criticize hypocritical greed or exploitative behavior.

Related Phrases

The riches of a sinner go to strangers ; the riches of a traitor go to thieves.

This proverb suggests that wealth acquired through sinful or dishonest means will never be enjoyed by the person who earned it. It implies that ill-gotten gains are eventually lost to strangers or criminals, emphasizing that unethical wealth lacks stability and longevity.

One's own money is ginger, others' money is jaggery

This proverb describes a selfish or miserly person who finds it painful to spend their own money (comparing it to the pungent, sharp taste of ginger) but finds great sweetness and pleasure in spending or using others' resources (comparing it to the sweetness of jaggery).

Accumulated wealth cannot be eaten.

This proverb highlights that simply hoarding or saving money is useless if it is not used for one's sustenance or basic needs. It is often used to criticize extreme stinginess or to remind people that the primary purpose of earning is to provide for oneself and others.

Other people's wealth is sinful wealth

This proverb warns that taking or desiring money and property that belongs to others will eventually lead to misfortune or trouble. It emphasizes that ill-gotten gains never bring true happiness or prosperity.

The property of others is Pêlapindi, his own property is the property of God. It is kept as sacred as that which has been offered to the deity.— Pêlapindi is flour made of fried grain.

This proverb describes a hypocritical and selfish attitude where a person treats others' belongings as cheap or easily disposable while considering their own possessions as sacred and untouchable. It is used to criticize people who are extravagant with others' money but extremely stingy with their own.

Wealth gained from gambling and illicit means will not last.

This proverb is used to warn that money earned through gambling (Rangamu) or deceptive, easy, or unethical ways (Tinku) is never permanent. It suggests that only hard-earned money stays with a person, while ill-gotten gains disappear as quickly as they were acquired.

One's own money is Monday, others' money is Tuesday.

This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (saving it for later), but very reckless or eager when spending money belonging to others. It is used to criticize someone who takes advantage of others' generosity while being miserly themselves.

A miser's wealth goes to others; a traitor's wealth goes to the rulers.

This proverb highlights that ill-gotten or hoarded wealth never stays with the owner. A miser who refuses to spend even on necessities will eventually lose his wealth to strangers or relatives, while those who earn through betrayal or crime will eventually have their assets seized by authorities or the government.

Property is the strong man's not the poor Brahman's. Might overcomes right.

This proverb highlights that in a world without justice or order, resources and wealth are often seized by the powerful rather than being held by those who are peaceful or scholarly. It is used to describe situations where 'might is right' and the vulnerable lose their belongings to the influential.

Others' wealth is sinful wealth

This proverb warns that taking or coveting wealth that belongs to others brings bad luck or misfortune. It emphasizes that ill-gotten gains or money belonging to others will never bring true happiness or prosperity to the one who takes it, often used to teach integrity and honesty.