ఊరివారి పసుపు, ఊరివారి కుంకుమ ఎవరిదేమిపోయె.

urivari pasupu, urivari kunkuma evaridemipoye.

Translation

The village's turmeric, the village's vermilion; what does anyone lose?

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone is being overly generous or charitable with resources that do not belong to them. It is used to criticize people who act like big spenders or philanthropists using others' money or public property without feeling any personal loss or responsibility.

Related Phrases

When asked, 'O thick stick, O thick stick, whose words do you obey?' - it replied, 'I obey the words of whoever holds me.'

This proverb describes a situation where power or control is entirely dependent on whoever currently possesses it, regardless of loyalty or principles. It is similar to the expression 'Like a child in the hands of whoever picks them up.' It is used to describe people or tools that lack independent will and simply serve the person currently in charge.

Every man feels his own upper cloth heavy.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an individual is so exhausted, weak, or overwhelmed that even the smallest personal responsibility or a minor possession feels like a significant burden. It highlights extreme fatigue or a state of complete helplessness.

Every one has his care. Every one feels his own burden heavy. ( French.)*

Every man's life is sweet to himself. Life is sweet.

This proverb conveys that every living being values their own life above all else. It is used to explain that self-preservation is a natural instinct and that no one wants to suffer or die, regardless of their status or situation.

* Chacun porte sa croix.

Ramakka lost nothing, Ramanna lost nothing, but a handful from the heap is gone.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two parties are arguing or transacting, and while neither of them suffers a personal loss, the common resource or the collective property they are managing is being depleted. It highlights how the 'heap' (common assets) suffers when individuals are careless or indifferent because it doesn't belong to them personally.

One's own life is sweet to them

This expression signifies that every living being values their own life above all else. It is used to explain self-preservation instincts or to highlight that no matter how difficult someone's life is, they still cherish their existence and fear death.

If the royalty strikes the commoner's child, God will strike the royalty's child.

This proverb conveys the concept of divine justice or karma. It suggests that if those in power (the palace/royalty) oppress or harm those who are defenseless (the common people), they will eventually face retribution from a higher power (God). It is used to warn people against abusing their authority or status.

If one of the royal family strike a villager's child, Nârâyaṇa will strike his child. "[ The LORD ] will avenge the blood of his servants." Deuteronomy xxxii. 43.

This proverb emphasizes the concept of divine justice and karma. It suggests that if those in power oppress or mistreat the common people who have no one to protect them, God will eventually intervene and punish the oppressors in a similar manner. It serves as a warning against the abuse of power.

Everyone's own madness is a source of joy to them.

This proverb is used to describe how people have their own unique quirks, hobbies, or obsessions that might seem strange or foolish to others but bring immense happiness to themselves. It suggests that one should not judge others' personal interests, as subjective satisfaction is what matters most to the individual.

If you ask a dog, will it apply vermilion (kumkum) on your forehead?

This proverb is used to convey that it is futile to expect a favor, kindness, or refined behavior from a person who is inherently mean, rude, or incapable of understanding such values. Just as a dog cannot perform a ritualistic gesture like applying kumkum, an unworthy person cannot provide something beyond their nature.

There is no pound for the cattle of the royalty.

This proverb suggests that laws and regulations are often not applied to the powerful or influential. Just as the cattle of kings were exempt from being impounded for straying into others' fields, high-status individuals often escape punishment or consequences that common people would face.