తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ

telivi takkuva, akali ekkuva

Translation

Little sense, great appetite. Eating one's senses away.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks the common sense or skill to earn a living or work efficiently, yet has high demands or appetites. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot contribute much but expects a lot in return.

Related Phrases

Low intelligence, high hunger

This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.

Low intelligence, high hunger.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or productivity but has excessive demands or needs. It highlights a mismatch between one's capabilities and their consumption or expectations, often used sarcastically to mock laziness or incompetence combined with greed.

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.

Saying 'no' reduces grace, saying 'yes' increases life span.

This expression highlights the social and personal value of being agreeable and positive. It suggests that a negative or confrontational attitude (saying 'no') makes one appear dull or ungraceful, whereas a positive, cooperative, or 'yes' attitude leads to a stress-free, longer, and more harmonious life.

Low livelihood, high arrogance.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the financial means or capability to sustain themselves properly, yet behaves with excessive pride, arrogance, or puts on a grand show of attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having a poor lifestyle but a high level of pretension.

Less than an annual ceremony, more than a monthly ceremony.

This expression is used to describe something that is mediocre, awkward, or in an indeterminate state. It refers to something that doesn't fit into a specific category or standard—being neither significant enough to be considered important (like a 'Taddinam') nor small enough to be ignored (like a 'Masikam'). It often describes a person's height, the scale of an event, or the quality of a piece of work that is neither here nor there.

Low income, high showiness (or irritability).

This proverb is used to describe a person who has very limited financial means or resources but behaves with excessive pride, a quick temper, or an arrogant attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having little to sustain themselves while maintaining a high-handed or easily offended demeanor.

Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)

This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.

Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?

This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.

There is no greater folly than turning back after having once ventured to run the risk.

This expression highlights the importance of consistency and courage. It suggests that once a person makes a firm decision or takes a bold step toward a goal, retreating due to fear or hesitation is the ultimate sign of weakness or lack of wisdom. It is used to encourage someone to see a task through to the end.

Turning back after putting one's hand to the plough. Fortune lost, nothing lost ; courage lost, much lost ; honour lost, more lost ; soul lost, all lost. (Dutch.)!