వగలేనివాడు లంజరిక మాడితే, ఇంటికి దుగ్గాని పంపకం.
vagalenivadu lanjarika madite, intiki duggani pampakam.
If a person without grace/skill attempts to be a paramour, the share brought home is worth only a penny.
This proverb describes a situation where an unskilled or incompetent person attempts a difficult task or a questionable profession and fails miserably. It implies that if someone lacks the inherent talent or 'spark' for a particular endeavor, their efforts will yield negligible results or very poor returns.
Related Phrases
గొడ్డులేనివాడు బిడ్డలేనివాడు ఒకటి.
goddulenivadu biddalenivadu okati.
A person without cattle and a person without children are the same.
In traditional agrarian societies, cattle were considered as vital as family members for one's livelihood and legacy. This expression highlights the essential role of livestock in prosperity, implying that lacking them is as significant a loss as not having heirs to carry on the family name or support the household.
కానివాడు లేనివానితో జత.
kanivadu lenivanito jata.
An unfit person pairs with a person who has nothing.
This proverb describes the alliance of two individuals who are both lacking in some way—either in character, resources, or capability. It is used to mock an association where neither party can help the other, or to point out that people with negative traits often find common ground with those who have nothing to lose.
మూడు దుగ్గానుల కోతి, ఆరు దుగ్గానుల బెల్లం తిన్నట్లు
mudu dugganula koti, aru dugganula bellam tinnatlu
Like a monkey worth three dugganulu eating six dugganulu worth of jaggery
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost of maintaining or fixing something exceeds its actual value. It is similar to the English expression 'the remedy is worse than the disease' or 'throwing good money after bad', specifically focusing on disproportionate expenses incurred on an inexpensive object.
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.
సాకులు చెప్పినవానికి కాసు, ఇల్లు కప్పినవానికి దుగ్గాని
sakulu cheppinavaniki kasu, illu kappinavaniki duggani
A 'kasu' for the one who gives excuses, and a 'duggani' for the one who thatched the house.
This proverb highlights unfairness in rewards or wages. It describes a situation where someone who does little work or offers only excuses receives more benefit (a kasu) than the person who performed the actual hard labor of roofing a house (who receives a lesser coin, a duggani). It is used to critique systems where talkers are valued more than doers.
కానివాడు లేనివాడితో జత
kanivadu lenivadito jata
An unfriendly person is equal to one that is not.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people who are equally useless, incapable, or lacking resources join forces. It implies that their partnership will be unproductive because neither has the means or character to succeed or help the other. It is often used to mock an alliance that is destined for failure.
ఆకలి కాని భోజనము, ఆలిమీద లంజరికము.
akali kani bhojanamu, alimida lanjarikamu.
Eating when the appetite is satisfied; unfaithfulness to a wife. Both bad.
This proverb highlights the futility and lack of enjoyment in doing things at the wrong time or in the wrong context. Eating when one is not hungry is tasteless and forced, much like the absurdity and pointlessness of treating one's own wife as a prostitute. It is used to describe actions that lack purpose, desire, or natural fulfillment.
లంజకు పిల్ల తగలాటకం
lanjaku pilla tagalatakam
A prostitute finding a child to be a burden/hindrance.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is solely focused on their own selfish interests or an easy life finds their inherent responsibilities or basic duties to be an annoying obstacle or a nuisance. It highlights the conflict between one's lifestyle choices and unavoidable obligations.
పింజారిముందు లంజ పొందు
pinjarimundu lanja pondu
Engaging in prostitution in front of a cotton-beater.
This proverb is used to describe an act that is utterly futile or a waste of effort. A cotton-beater (pinjari) works with such intense focus and noise while cleaning cotton that they remain completely oblivious to their surroundings. Similarly, doing something scandalous or seeking attention from someone who is too preoccupied or indifferent to notice is useless.
పని చేయనివాడు ఇంటికి దొంగ, పన్ను ఇవ్వనివాడు దివాణానికి దొంగ
pani cheyanivadu intiki donga, pannu ivvanivadu divananiki donga
The one who does not work is a thief to the house; the one who does not pay taxes is a thief to the government.
This proverb highlights personal and civic responsibilities. It suggests that a family member who doesn't contribute labor is a burden to the household, just as a citizen who evades taxes is a traitor to the state (divanam). It is used to emphasize that laziness and tax evasion are both forms of dishonesty.