ఉన్నవాడు ఖర్చుపెట్టకుంటే అంటారు, లేనివాడు ఖర్చుపెడితే అంటారు.
unnavadu kharchupettakunte antaru, lenivadu kharchupedite antaru.
If the rich man doesn't spend, people talk; if the poor man spends, people talk.
This expression highlights how society is quick to criticize everyone regardless of their financial status. If a wealthy person is frugal, they are called a miser. If a poor person spends money, they are mocked for living beyond their means. It is used to suggest that one cannot satisfy everyone's opinions and should act according to their own conscience.
Related Phrases
తనువులు నిత్యంకావు, మావారిని ఓలిపైకం ఖర్చుపెట్టవద్దని చెప్పమన్నట్లు
tanuvulu nityankavu, mavarini olipaikam kharchupettavaddani cheppamannatlu
Bodies are not eternal; tell my husband not to spend money on the bride-price.
This expression is used to describe a person who uses high philosophy or grand ideals as a pretext for their stinginess or to avoid spending money. It mocks someone who pretends to be detached from worldly desires only when it benefits their wallet.
అలకాపురికి రాజైనా అమితంగా ఖర్చుచేయకూడదు
alakapuriki rajaina amitanga kharchucheyakudadu
Even if one is the king of Alakapuri, one should not spend excessively.
Alakapuri is the legendary capital of Kubera, the god of wealth. The proverb emphasizes that no matter how vast one's wealth is, spending recklessly and without limit will eventually lead to ruin. It is used to advise financial prudence and discipline.
పాసిపండ్లమ్మ సంపాదిస్తే బంగారు పండ్లమ్మ ఖర్చుపెట్టినట్లు
pasipandlamma sampadiste bangaru pandlamma kharchupettinatlu
Like the woman with dirty teeth earning while the woman with golden teeth spends it all.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person works extremely hard in difficult or 'dirty' conditions to earn money, while another person, who lives a life of luxury or puts on appearances, simply spends or wastes that hard-earned wealth. It highlights the disparity between the laborer and the consumer.
లేనివాడు పుడమి లేనివాడు.
lenivadu pudami lenivadu.
One who has not is as one who is not in the world. i. e. A penniless man has nothing in the world.
This proverb highlights the harsh reality of social status and poverty. It suggests that a person without wealth or resources is often treated as if they have no place or belonging in the world, emphasizing how society values individuals based on their possessions.
ఉన్నవాడు ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే, లేనివాడూ ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే
unnavadu unnavadike pette, lenivadu unnavadike pette
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.
ఎప్పుడూ పెట్టే నాలుగు పెట్టి, గొళ్ళెం బయట పెట్టు అన్నాడట
eppudu pette nalugu petti, gollem bayata pettu annadata
Give me the usual four (beatings) and put the latch outside, he said.
This expression refers to someone who is so accustomed to a routine of punishment or mistreatment that they accept it as a formality to get it over with. It is used to describe a person who lacks self-respect or has become completely desensitized to shame or consequences.
సంసారం జానెడు ఖర్చు బారెడు
samsaram janedu kharchu baredu
Household is a span long, but expenses are a fathom long.
This proverb describes a situation where one's income or resources are very small (represented by a 'span'), but the expenses or liabilities are disproportionately large (represented by a 'fathom'). It is used to express financial struggle or the difficulty of managing a family when costs far exceed earnings.
అర్జున ఫల్గుణ పడర పిడుగు అన్నాడట
arjuna phalguna padara pidugu annadata
" Arjuna, Bharjuna—Ah! the thunder bolt has fallen," he cried. The man in a fright tried to utter the spell given under No. 1444, but lost his head and broke down at the second word.
This expression refers to a traditional belief that reciting the many names of the warrior Arjuna (like Phalguna) protects one from lightning. In a broader sense, it is used to describe someone who tries to use charms, prayers, or shortcuts at the last minute to escape an inevitable danger or a situation they are afraid of.
ఉన్నవాడు ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టును, లేనివాడూ ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టును.
unnavadu unnavadike pettunu, lenivadu unnavadike pettunu.
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.
తరి అంటే వరి అంటారు.
tari ante vari antaru.
If you say 'wet land', they say 'paddy'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a very obvious or redundant statement. Since paddy is the primary crop grown on wet lands (tari), saying 'paddy' when 'wet land' is mentioned is an unnecessary clarification of the obvious.