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.
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.
లావు మీద వంపు తెలియదు
lavu mida vampu teliyadu
On account of excessive fat, the bend/curve is not noticeable
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is so consumed by pride, arrogance, or their own status that they fail to recognize their own flaws or the subtle changes around them. It can also refer to how excessive wealth or power can mask underlying problems or lack of character.
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.
బిడ్డ చచ్చినా పీతికంపు పోలేదు
bidda chachchina pitikampu poledu
The baby died, but the smell of its excrement remains.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem or a person is gone, but the negative consequences, bad reputation, or 'stink' they created still lingers and continues to cause trouble.
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.
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.
కంపు పెట్టుకొని గంపెడు తిన్నట్లు.
kampu pettukoni gampedu tinnatlu.
Like eating a basketful while putting up with a foul smell.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone endures something highly unpleasant or shameful just to satisfy their greed or achieve a selfish gain. It highlights the irony of tolerating something disgusting for the sake of material benefit.