తనకు లేదని ఏడ్చి ఒక కన్ను పోతే, ఎదుటివారికి ఉందని ఏడ్చి ఇంకొక కన్ను పోయిందట.

tanaku ledani edchi oka kannu pote, edutivariki undani edchi inkoka kannu poyindata.

Translation

Crying for not having something cost one eye, and crying because others have it cost the second eye.

Meaning

This proverb describes extreme envy or a toxic competitive mindset. It refers to a person who is so consumed by their own lack and, more destructively, by others' success, that they end up causing their own total ruin. It is used to criticize those who cannot tolerate the prosperity of others.

Related Phrases

Having only one son is like having only one eye.

This proverb highlights the vulnerability of relying on a single source of support. Just as losing one's only eye results in total blindness, depending solely on one child or a single plan is risky because if that one fails, there is no backup or alternative support system.

While everything is lost, crying over the loss of a stack of cow-dung cakes.

This expression describes a person who has suffered a massive loss but chooses to obsessively worry or grieve over a trivial, insignificant detail instead of addressing the larger problem. It is used to point out a lack of perspective regarding priorities during a crisis.

One person's wealth is the cause of another person's crying.

This expression refers to the envious nature of humans, where someone else's prosperity or success causes jealousy and sorrow in others. It is used to describe the phenomenon of 'Schadenfreude' in reverse or simply pure envy regarding a neighbor's or peer's good fortune.

Lime in one eye and butter in the other eye

This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or groups are treated differently—one with harshness (lime/sunnam, which burns) and the other with kindness (butter/venna, which soothes).

The woman who couldn't bend cried about a curve (fault) in the ground.

This proverb describes a person who hides their own inability or lack of skill by blaming external circumstances or finding minor faults in the environment. It is used to mock someone who makes excuses for their failures.

One eye is not an eye, one son is not a son.

This proverb highlights the vulnerability and risk associated with having only one of something essential. Just as losing one's only eye results in total blindness, depending on an only child (traditionally for lineage or support) is considered risky because if something happens to them, there is no backup. It is used to describe situations where a single point of failure exists.

By weeping at the good fortune of another he lost one eye, and by weeping at his own ill fortune he lost the other.

This proverb highlights the destructive nature of envy and self-pity. It suggests that being jealous of others' success and constantly lamenting one's own misfortunes leads to total ruin and loss of perspective. It is used to advise people to focus on their own growth rather than comparing themselves to others.

* Anlourd 'hui roi, demain rien. † Heut' im Puts, morgen im Schmutz.

One eye is a flower eye, the other eye is a fruit eye.

This expression is used to describe partiality or double standards shown by a person. It refers to a situation where someone treats one person or side with kindness and favor (the soft flower) while treating another with harshness or severity (the hard unripe fruit).

One eye is no eye, one son is no son.

This proverb suggests that relying on a single resource or individual is risky. Just as losing one's only eye leads to total blindness, depending on an only child (or a single point of failure) leaves one vulnerable. It is used to emphasize the importance of backups, security, or having multiple supports in life.

Like applying lime to one eye and butter to the other

This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or things are treated differently despite being equal, with one receiving harsh treatment (lime/caustic) and the other receiving soft, preferential treatment (butter).