వన్నెకాని గంజి ఈగలపాలు.
vannekani ganji igalapalu.
The gruel of a showy person becomes the share of flies.
This proverb refers to people who are overly concerned with outward appearances or vanity but neglect the essence of their work or resources. It suggests that if someone wastes time being pretentious instead of being practical, their efforts or possessions will go to waste or be enjoyed by undeserving entities (like flies on spilled food).
Related Phrases
కోకకు బెట్టిన గంజి కూడిరాదు
kokaku bettina ganji kudiradu
The starch applied to a saree does not come back to be eaten.
This expression is used to describe an irreversible expenditure or investment. Just as starch used to stiffen a saree cannot be recovered or consumed as food (porridge) again, money or resources spent on certain luxuries or temporary needs cannot be reclaimed for essential purposes.
నిష్ట నీళ్లపాలు, మంత్రం మాలపాలు
nishta nillapalu, mantram malapalu
Devotion gone into the water, and the mantra gone to the outcasts.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where all the hard work, meticulous effort, or ritualistic care put into a task goes completely to waste or is rendered useless due to a small mistake or an unfortunate turn of events. It implies that the sanctity or value of an endeavor has been lost.
నోటి వక్రం గంజి పెడమూట
noti vakram ganji pedamuta
Crooked mouth, and the rice water is in a tied bundle.
This proverb describes a situation where everything is going wrong or being done incorrectly. It refers to a person who lacks the skill to do a job (crooked mouth) trying to perform a task in a ridiculous or impossible way (tying liquid rice water in a bundle). It is used to mock incompetence or a series of unfortunate, self-inflicted blunders.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలును
appuleni ganji doppede chalunu
A cupful of rice water without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that a humble or meager meal earned honestly and without borrowing is far better than a feast bought with borrowed money. It is used to advise people to live within their means and prioritize financial independence over luxury.
Out of debt, out of danger. Happy is he who owes nothing. (Greek.) !
దొంగల సొమ్ము దొరల పాలు
dongala sommu dorala palu
Thieves' wealth ends up in the hands of rulers.
This proverb implies that wealth acquired through illegal or unethical means will never be enjoyed by the person who took it; instead, it will eventually be confiscated by authorities, lost to others, or spent on fines and legal issues. It is used to suggest that ill-gotten gains do not stay with the wrongdoer.
ఇల్లు ఈగలపాలు, దొడ్డి దోమలపాలు
illu igalapalu, doddi domalapalu
The house belongs to the flies, the backyard belongs to the mosquitoes.
This proverb is used to describe a state of utter neglect, lack of maintenance, or mismanagement of a property or household. It highlights a situation where, due to the absence or carelessness of the inhabitants, the premises have been completely overrun by pests.
నా దయతో నీ గంజి త్రాగు అన్నట్లు
na dayato ni ganji tragu annatlu
Saying 'Drink your own porridge by my grace'
This expression describes a situation where someone acts as if they are doing a great favor or showing generosity, when in reality, they are only giving the other person what already belongs to them or what they have earned through their own hard work. It highlights arrogance and false charity.
నోటి గుట్టం గంజి పెడమూట
noti guttam ganji pedamuta
[ By ] a slip of the mouth, a bundle of food on the back. In Ujjayini ( Ougein ) there lived a merchant called Diptimanta. He went to Jångala to trade. There he met another merchant named Vivēka- manta who on one occasion said to him " Tell me a story that is not known in the world, that has not come to your ears, and that I have not heard." After being twitted often by Diptimanta on account of his inability to comply with this unreasonable request, Vivēkamanta undertook to per- form the task, provided Diptimanta should not pronounce his story to be false, and in the event of his doing so, should pay him 100 pagodas. Dip- timanta having agreed, Vivēkamanta said " On one occasion my great grand-father Vanikpati when going to trade in another country met your great grand-father Prithikpati and they entered into partnership. Shortly afterwards they reached a spot where grew a large and beautiful Banyan tree near which was a tank. Liking the place, they agreed that Vanikpati should remain there and sell the goods which Prithikpati would send him from another country. This was carried on for some time and afterwards when they met and compared their accounts, it was found that Prithikpati was in Vanikpati's debt 100 pagodas. For long I have sought you," added Vivēkamanta, " and now I beg you will pay me the balance due." Dipti- manta being unable to deny the truth of the story lest he should incur the forfeit, was compelled to pay the 100 pagodas, and beg his way to his own country, carrying what food was given to him in a bundle on his back. Some people who met him enquired what bundle he was carrying, to which he replied " By a slip of the mouth, have I been reduced to carry a bundle of food on my back." The evil consequences of an idle word.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes idle talk or gossip over their basic needs or duties. It refers to someone who spends their time talking so much that they neglect their food or work, effectively 'carrying their meal' away while their mouth remains busy.
కూడు వండుట గంజి కొరకా?
kudu vanduta ganji koraka?
Is the rice cooked just for the sake of the starch water?
This proverb is used to point out when someone focuses on a minor byproduct or a trivial secondary outcome while ignoring the main objective. It suggests that one shouldn't perform a major task just for a small, insignificant benefit.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలు
appuleni ganji doppede chalu
A small bowl of gruel without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.