తెలివి ఒకరి సొమ్మా? తొండం ముబ్బమ్మ!

telivi okari somma? tondam mubbamma!

Translation

Is intelligence someone's exclusive property? No, it's not even a trunk's bulge!

Meaning

This expression is used to assert that intelligence is not the monopoly or private property of any single person or group. It emphasizes that anyone can be smart or talented regardless of their background, status, or identity.

Related Phrases

Intelligence is not anyone's father's property!

This expression is used to emphasize that intelligence or wisdom is not the exclusive property of a specific person, family, or social class. It conveys that anyone can be smart or talented regardless of their background or lineage. It is often used to shut down arrogance or to encourage someone who feels they aren't 'born' with talent.

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).

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.

Too much intelligence causes crying, too little intelligence causes beatings.

This proverb highlights the irony of intelligence levels: being overly clever or sensitive often leads to emotional distress or overthinking, whereas having very little intelligence or common sense results in physical consequences or being bullied by others. It suggests that both extremes have their own disadvantages.

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.

Other people's money/property is sweet to everyone.

This proverb describes the human tendency to be greedy or attracted to things that belong to others. It is used to point out that people often enjoy or desire wealth, resources, or success that they didn't work for, or that it is easy to be generous or careless when the money being spent belongs to someone else.

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.

Is intelligence anyone's exclusive property, O shepherd woman Guravamma?

This proverb highlights that intelligence and wisdom are not the monopoly of any specific person, class, or group. It is used to challenge someone who acts superior or assumes that others are incapable of being clever or wise.

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.

A hasty man is not wise.

This proverb suggests that when a person is in a state of extreme haste, anxiety, or impatience, their ability to think clearly and make rational decisions is diminished. It is used to advise someone to calm down and think before acting, as being overly eager or rushed often leads to poor judgment.

He that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Proverbs xiv. 29. A hasty man never wants woc. * Qual o pal tal o filho. † Patris est filius.