వన్నె బట్టలమ్మ వలపుడు కన్న గుడ్డ బట్టలమ్మ కులుకుడే లావు.

vanne battalamma valapudu kanna gudda battalamma kulukude lavu.

Translation

The swaying of the woman in rags is more than the charm of the woman in colorful clothes.

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock people who have little to offer or possess very little, yet display excessive pride, vanity, or arrogance. It highlights the irony of someone with no status or wealth acting more pretentious than those who actually possess them.

Related Phrases

Like asking a bald woman to part her hair.

This expression refers to asking for something that is impossible or demanding something that doesn't exist. It is used to describe a situation where a request is made to someone who lacks the basic resources or capacity to fulfill it, highlighting the absurdity or futility of the demand.

To a completely naked man, a man with only a waist-thread is a beggar.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has absolutely nothing looks down upon or considers someone else poor, even if that person has slightly more than them. It highlights the irony of people in desperate or inferior positions judging others who are marginally better off or in the same boat.

Everything seems grand and loud, but there isn't even a drop of oil at my cloth (home).

This expression describes a situation where there is a great deal of external show, pomp, or noise, but in reality, there is complete lack of substance or resources. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be wealthy or influential while living in extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities.

The speech of a parrot, the grace of a cuckoo.

This expression is used to describe a person who possesses both sweet, pleasant speech and a graceful, charming personality. It highlights a combination of auditory and behavioral beauty.

When the daughter-in-law said 'Mother-in-law, I will give birth to sons', the mother-in-law replied 'Would I ever say no to that, dear?'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers to do something that is universally beneficial or obviously desirable. It highlights that no one would object to a proposal that brings only positive results or fulfills a common goal. It is often used sarcastically when someone states an obvious intention to do something good as if they are asking for permission.

Our lineage is the size of a drop, mother; how can we have a potful of toddy? Filter it and keep it there; if it's not filtered, swear an oath, she said.

This proverb is used to mock someone who makes grand claims about their family or status while simultaneously being caught in a lie or showing their true, humble (or poor) circumstances. It highlights the absurdity of trying to maintain a high-status facade with contradictory or impossible excuses.

An old woman's tales.

Refers to outdated, repetitive, or trivial advice and stories that lack practical relevance in modern times. It is often used to describe someone rambling about the past or giving unsolicited, old-fashioned counsel.

Look at the grace of the woman wearing a saree, and look at the vanity of the woman wearing a rag.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks merit or status but acts with excessive pride or vanity compared to someone who is genuinely dignified. It highlights the irony of someone with very little acting more arrogant than someone who is well-off or naturally graceful.

Look at the finery of the well dressed and the strut of the poorly dressed woman.

This proverb is used to mock people who have very little but show off excessively. It compares someone wearing a beautiful saree (who has a right to be graceful) to someone wearing a mere piece of cloth or a rag but acting overly proud or vain. It highlights the irony of arrogance in those with meager means or status.

The woman with gold won't untie her bundle; the woman with a small coin won't stop folding and unfolding hers.

This proverb highlights human behavior regarding wealth. A truly wealthy person stays calm and doesn't show off, whereas a person with very little wealth constantly fusses over it and displays it to everyone to feel important.