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.
Related Phrases
కొన్నవాడే తిన్నవాడు.
konnavade tinnavadu.
He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)
This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.
ఊరికే వస్తే, మావాడు ఇంకొకడు ఉన్నాడు అన్నట్లు.
urike vaste, mavadu inkokadu unnadu annatlu.
If it comes for free, he said he has another person of his own.
This proverb is used to describe human greed. It refers to a person who, upon finding something available for free, immediately tries to claim more for their family or associates, rather than being satisfied with what is given. It is used to mock people who exploit generosity or freebies.
కొన్నవాడి కన్న తిన్నవాడే మేలు
konnavadi kanna tinnavade melu
The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].
This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.
ఎద్దు ఉన్నవాడికి బుద్ధి ఉండదు, బుద్ధి ఉన్నవాడికి ఎద్దు ఉండదు.
eddu unnavadiki buddhi undadu, buddhi unnavadiki eddu undadu.
The one who has an ox lacks intelligence, and the one who has intelligence lacks an ox.
This proverb describes a situational irony where one person possesses the physical resources or tools but lacks the wisdom to use them, while another person has the knowledge but lacks the necessary resources. It is used to highlight the mismatch between ability and opportunity.
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.
పట్టినవాడు తాబేలు అంటే, గట్టున ఉన్నవాడు కుందేలు అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu tabelu ante, gattuna unnavadu kundelu annatlu
When the one who caught it says it's a turtle, the one on the shore says it's a rabbit.
This proverb describes a situation where people stubbornly argue over their own perceptions or biases, even when the facts are clear. It is used to mock people who contradict someone with firsthand experience or those who insist on their own version of the truth despite evidence to the contrary.
తిన్నవాడే మన్నవాడు, మన్నవాడే మహారాజు.
tinnavade mannavadu, mannavade maharaju.
He that ate prospered, and he that prospered became a Ma- hârâja.
This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.
ఉన్నమ్మ ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె, లేనమ్మా ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె
unnamma unnammake pette, lenamma unnammake pette
The woman who has gives to the woman who has; the woman who has not also gives to the woman who has.
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.
మిద్దె ఉన్నవాడు బ్రతికి, గుడిసె ఉన్నవాడు చావడు
midde unnavadu bratiki, gudise unnavadu chavadu
Neither the one with a mansion survives forever, nor the one in a hut dies instantly.
This proverb emphasizes the equality of life and death, suggesting that wealth (a mansion) doesn't guarantee immortality, and poverty (a hut) doesn't mean immediate demise. It is used to remind people that fate and time are the ultimate deciders, regardless of one's social or economic status.
పట్టినవాడు పక్కి అంటే, గట్టునున్నవాడు జెల్ల అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu pakki ante, gattununnavadu jella annatlu
When the one who caught the fish says it's a 'Pakki', the one on the bank says it's a 'Jella'.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is not involved in a task (an onlooker) tries to correct or contradict the person who is actually doing the work and has firsthand knowledge. It highlights the arrogance or ignorance of backseat drivers who offer unsolicited and incorrect opinions without being in the thick of the action.