ఉన్నమ్మ ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె, లేనమ్మా ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె

unnamma unnammake pette, lenamma unnammake pette

Translation

The woman who has gives to the woman who has; the woman who has not also gives to the woman who has.

Meaning

This proverb describes a social irony where resources or gifts tend to flow towards those who are already wealthy or powerful, rather than to those in need. It highlights that everyone seeks to please the rich, while the poor are often ignored or even forced to give up what little they have to those above them.

Related Phrases

The woman who gets startled is often sulky, and the woman with a swelling has more pain.

This proverb describes human nature and physical reality. It implies that a person with a guilty conscience or a sensitive nature is easily offended or reactive (sulky), just as a person with a physical ailment (like a boil or swelling) naturally feels more pain. It is often used to describe someone who reacts defensively or takes offense easily because they know they are in the wrong or are overly sensitive.

A woman used to lovers and a woman used to eating cream cannot remain quiet.

This proverb is used to describe how once a person develops a taste for luxuries or a habit of indulging in forbidden/secret pleasures, they find it impossible to give them up. It highlights the persistent nature of deep-seated habits or addictions.

While the poor woman was gasping for her last breath, the rich woman was being pampered with a water bath.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme injustice or misplaced priorities. It refers to a scenario where someone in desperate, life-threatening need is ignored, while someone who already has everything is given unnecessary extra attention or luxury. It is used to criticize society's tendency to favor the wealthy and ignore the suffering of the needy.

The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.

This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.

The mother who gave birth to children and the mother who gave alms will never perish.

This proverb emphasizes the virtues of motherhood and charity. It suggests that those who perform selfless acts—such as raising children or helping the needy—will always be blessed, protected, and will never face total ruin in life due to the good karma they have accumulated.

An attu-and-a-half for the mother who served an attu.

This proverb highlights the principle of reciprocity and generosity. It implies that those who give or help others will receive back even more than what they offered (interest/bonus). It is used to suggest that kindness is rewarded with greater kindness.

The words of the one who gave a creeper are sweet; the words of the one who gave a leaf-stalk are savory; but the words of the one who has blooming leaves are unbearable to hear.

This proverb highlights human psychology and bias based on self-interest. It refers to a person who praises those who have given them something (even something small like a vegetable creeper or a palm leaf) while being critical or intolerant of those who have plenty but have not shared anything with them yet. It is used to describe how people's perceptions of others are often colored by the benefits they receive.

The one who has gives to the one who has; even the one who does not have gives to the one who has.

This proverb highlights a social irony where wealth continues to flow toward the wealthy. It describes a situation where both the rich and the poor tend to favor, gift, or serve those who are already influential and affluent, while those in actual need are often ignored.

The woman who has nothing has great stubbornness, while the woman who has everything has great greed.

This proverb highlights a contrast in human behavior: those with no resources or status often resort to excessive pride or stubbornness to overcompensate, whereas those who are wealthy or successful are often driven by an insatiable desire for more. It is used to describe how ego and greed manifest differently based on one's circumstances.

The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.

This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.