తప్పు ఒప్పు దైవమెరుగును, పప్పు కూడు బాపడెరుగును.
tappu oppu daivamerugunu, pappu kudu bapaderugunu.
God knows right and wrong; the Brahman knows Dâl and rice.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is indifferent to moral complexities or the truth of a situation, and is instead solely focused on their own material needs or personal gain. It suggests that while higher matters are left to God, the individual is only concerned with what fills their stomach.
Related Phrases
నీరు పల్లమెరుగును, నిజము దేవుడెరుగును.
niru pallamerugunu, nijamu devuderugunu.
Water finds the low ground, God knows the truth.
This expression means that just as water naturally flows towards lower ground, the ultimate truth is always known to the Divine. It is used to suggest that while humans may be deceived or facts may be hidden, the absolute truth cannot be concealed from God or will eventually be revealed by fate.
చీర చిరుగును, పెయ్య పెరుగును
chira chirugunu, peyya perugunu
The sari will tear, the heifer will grow.
This proverb is used to emphasize making wise investments or spending money on things that appreciate in value. It compares buying clothes (which wear out and lose value) to buying livestock (which grows and produces profit), suggesting one should prioritize long-term growth over temporary material possessions.
గుడ్డివాడెరుగునా కుందనపు చాయ
guddivaderuguna kundanapu chaya
Can a blind man discern the colour of pure gold ? An uneducated man cannot judge of the attainments of the learned. A blind man is no judge of colours. ( Italian. )? A pebble and a diamond are alike to a blind man.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who lacks knowledge, experience, or the right perspective cannot appreciate the value or beauty of something. It is equivalent to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'
అప్పు మొప్పు
appu moppu
Debt is misfortune.
This phrase is used to emphasize that being in debt is a constant source of stress, trouble, and psychological burden. It serves as a warning to avoid taking loans or living beyond one's means.
Debt is the worst poverty.
అప్పుచేసి పప్పు కూడు తిన్నట్టు
appuchesi pappu kudu tinnattu
Like borrowing money to eat lentil rice.
This expression refers to living beyond one's means or indulging in luxuries using borrowed money. It describes a lifestyle of temporary comfort or status sustained by debt, which is ultimately unsustainable and financially irresponsible.
అప్పు చేసీ పప్పు కూడు.
appu chesi pappu kudu.
Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.
Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.
అప్పు దొరికితే పప్పుకూడు
appu dorikite pappukudu
If I could raise a loan, [I should be able to live on ] dâl and rice. An excuse made by a host for treating his guest with poor fare.
This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.
సంతమెరుగు, సానిమెరుగు.
santamerugu, sanimerugu.
The decorations of a fair and of a loose woman. Ornament which soon disappears and exposes the real wretchedness.
This proverb describes things that are temporary and superficial. Just as a marketplace is bustling and vibrant only during trading hours and becomes desolate afterward, or a courtesan's beauty is enhanced only for professional allure, some situations or appearances lack depth and permanent value.
బట్టప్పు పొట్టప్పు నిలవదు
battappu pottappu nilavadu
Debts for food and clothing do not remain long unpaid.
This expression highlights that debts taken for basic survival needs like clothing (batta) and food (potta) are transient and must be cleared quickly. It is often used to emphasize that one cannot delay repaying small but essential debts or to point out that basic necessities are the first priorities that get consumed immediately, leaving no long-term asset behind.
ఊరి జబ్బు చాకలి ఎరుగును, ఉద్యోగపు జబ్బు బంట్రోతు ఎరుగును.
uri jabbu chakali erugunu, udyogapu jabbu bantrotu erugunu.
The washerman knows the reduced state of the village; the peon knows the reduction [ of his superiors ] in office.
This proverb suggests that subordinates or those who handle the personal chores of others are often the first to know the hidden secrets, scandals, or weaknesses of a community or an organization. Just as a washerman sees the stains on everyone's clothes, an assistant or peon observes the internal politics and flaws of a workplace.