అబ్బిగాడు చస్తే ఆ పంచె నాది.

abbigadu chaste a panche nadi.

Translation

If the boy dies, that cloth is mine. Want of feeling.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy or opportunistic, showing more interest in personal gain or inheriting property than in the well-being or life of another person. It highlights a callous attitude where someone waits for another's misfortune to benefit themselves.

Related Phrases

If a kinsman dies, will the soil increase by a shovelful?

This proverb is used to criticize pettiness or greed among relatives. It suggests that when a relative or neighbor dies, the amount of land or wealth one gains is insignificant compared to the loss of a person. It highlights that harboring enmity for trivial material gains is foolish.

If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.

This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.

When a crow dies, many people cry (mockingly), but when a lonely or poor person dies, there is no one to weep.

This proverb highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society. It suggests that people often make a big fuss over trivial or common occurrences (like a crow's death) but remain indifferent to the genuine suffering or demise of an unfortunate, isolated individual who has no influence or wealth.

If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.

This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.

When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

While the ignorant person died on Ekadashi, the all-knowing person died on Amavasya.

This proverb is used to highlight irony or the unpredictability of fate. In Hindu tradition, dying on Ekadashi is considered auspicious, while Amavasya is often viewed as inauspicious. It mocks situations where someone perceived as simple or foolish achieves a better result or status by chance than someone who is highly knowledgeable but remains unlucky.

When one said 'No, no', the other said 'It's mine, it's mine'.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely greedy or opportunistic. It refers to a situation where a person tries to claim ownership of something even when others are denying it belongs to them or trying to distance themselves from it. It highlights a tendency to grab everything available without considering whether it is appropriate or right.

If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.

This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.

If one dies during the day there is no wick, if one dies at night there is no lamp.

This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or a sequence of unfortunate timings where basic necessities are unavailable regardless of the situation. It is used to highlight a person's miserable condition where they lack resources for even essential rites or survival, no matter when or how the need arises.

When father dies, the shared shawl belongs to me, he said.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely selfish and greedy, thinking only about personal gain even during a tragic situation like a parent's death. It is used to criticize someone who prioritizes trivial material possessions over relationships or mourning.