Ungratefulness

Like punching the breast after drinking the milk

This proverb describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms the very person who nurtured, helped, or supported them in their time of need, much like an infant hurting its mother after being fed.

Born in Pubba, withered in Makha... Oh lady giving for free! Serve me as much as you serve your husband!

This expression describes the height of audacity or greed. It refers to a beggar who, instead of being grateful for a free meal, demands to be served the same portion or quality as the head of the household. It is used when someone receiving a favor starts making unreasonable or entitled demands.

I served crepes on the new moon day and sweet dumplings on the full moon day. Now you ask what I will serve for Nagula Chavithi.

This expression describes a situation where someone who has been consistently helped or provided for continues to demand more without gratitude. It is used to highlight the insatiable nature of greedy people or to mock someone who expects continuous favors regardless of what they have already received.

Is it right to fight over the sealing flour after everything is finished?

This proverb describes a situation where someone raises a trivial or petty dispute after a major task or significant event has been successfully completed. It is used to mock people who focus on insignificant details or leftovers instead of celebrating the successful conclusion of a large project.

Like asking a mother who serves food for free to serve it along with your husband.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is already receiving a generous favor or benefit for free, but they greedily or foolishly ask for even more, potentially offending the benefactor or pushing their luck too far. It highlights the lack of gratitude and the tendency to take kindness for granted.

There is no gratitude for the one who gave a house or for the one who served buttermilk.

This proverb highlights the irony of human ingratitude. It suggests that people often fail to show appreciation or give credit even to those who have provided significant help (like a home) or basic hospitality (like buttermilk). It is used when someone's kindness is met with indifference or negativity.

The greatness of a biological father is realized only when he closes his eyes (dies)

This expression highlights that people often fail to appreciate the value, hard work, and sacrifices of a father while he is alive. His importance is truly felt only after he is no longer there to provide support and protection. It is used to advise people to respect and care for their parents while they are still living.

There is no livelihood from temple food, and no trust for the person who ate it.

This expression refers to someone who lives on charity or free food (like temple prasad) but remains unreliable or ungrateful. It describes a situation where a person depends on others' mercy for survival but fails to earn their trust or maintain a steady life.

When asked, "Why are you digging [for treasure] in the house where you have eaten?" he replied, "What do I know of a house where I have not eaten?"

This proverb describes a person who is extremely ungrateful and lacks loyalty. It refers to someone who harms their benefactors or those who helped them, justifying their betrayal with absurd logic. It is used to criticize those who bite the hand that feeds them.

Do good to a knave and pray God he requite thee not. ( Danish. )*

Like punching the very breast that provided milk.

This proverb describes extreme ingratitude or biting the hand that feeds you. It refers to a person who harms or insults someone who has nurtured, helped, or supported them in their time of need.

Unnecessary or unpaid hard labor

This expression refers to performing excessive, strenuous work without getting any recognition, proper compensation, or productive result. It is often used to describe drudgery or a thankless job where the effort put in is far greater than the value received.

A job without salary or allowance

This expression is used to describe a task or responsibility that brings no reward, benefit, or appreciation despite the effort put in. It can also refer to thankless jobs or situations where one works hard for nothing in return.

The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.

The old is a nuisance, the new is a wonder.

This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.

Why does a person without disease need the friendship of a great physician?

This proverb suggests that we only value or seek out experts, resources, or help when we are in need. Once a person is healthy or successful, they often feel they have no use for those who could have helped them during a crisis. It is used to describe situational friendships or the tendency to ignore experts when things are going well.

When an old saree was given out of pity, she went behind a wall and measured its length.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is ungrateful or overly critical of a charitable act. It refers to a person who, instead of being thankful for a gift given out of kindness, immediately starts looking for flaws or checking its value/size to see if it meets their expectations.

When someone kindly gave water for thirst, they complained that the village's water-trough was boiling.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone shows kindness or helps another person, but the recipient, instead of being grateful, finds faults or makes unreasonable demands. It highlights extreme ingratitude and the habit of complaining even when receiving help.

After flirting all night, she said 'Get lost, I will think of you as my husband' once it dawned.

This proverb is used to describe hypocritical or ungrateful behavior where someone enjoys the benefits of a situation or relationship but refuses to acknowledge the commitment or the person's status once their need is met. It highlights the irony of someone acting intimately or taking help for a long time and then suddenly acting distant or setting boundaries as if they are doing the other person a favor.

A broad bean seed does not know its own vine.

This proverb is used to describe a person who forgets their origins or humble beginnings after achieving success. Just as a bean grows on a vine but eventually loses its connection or awareness of the plant that supported it, it refers to individuals who become arrogant or ungrateful towards their roots or the people who helped them rise.

The dog that was pampered bit the snout (face).

This proverb describes a situation where someone who was treated with excessive affection or leniency turns around and causes harm or shows disrespect to their benefactor. It is used to warn against the dangers of over-pampering or being too indulgent with people who lack character or discipline, as they may eventually take advantage of that kindness.