బలిస్తే గోకి చంపుతారు, చిక్కితే నాకి చంపుతారు

baliste goki champutaru, chikkite naki champutaru

Translation

If you are fat, they kill you by scratching; if you are thin, they kill you by licking.

Meaning

This expression refers to people who are never satisfied and will find a way to exploit or bother you regardless of your status or condition. It is often used to describe toxic environments or manipulative individuals who harass others whether they are doing well (prosperous/fat) or struggling (weak/thin).

Related Phrases

When one goes to drink, there isn't even a drop of buttermilk, but when a note arrives, they say they will send curd.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the basic resources for themselves but makes grand, empty promises to others. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot even afford a basic necessity (buttermilk) pretending to be generous with something more valuable (curd) just to maintain appearances or deceive others.

Even if one crosses the ocean, Saturn as a killer will catch and kill.

This proverb suggests that one's fate or destiny is inescapable. Just as a person cannot outrun the malefic influence of the planet Saturn (Shani) by simply moving to a different land, a person's karma or destined hardships will follow them wherever they go. It is used to describe situations where troubles persist regardless of changes in location or circumstances.

If Yama kills one person, the water-lift (Etamu) kills three.

This proverb highlights the extreme physical exhaustion and danger associated with primitive labor-intensive farming tools like the 'Etamu' (a traditional counterpoise water-lift). While Yama, the God of Death, takes lives one by one, the grueling toil of using such equipment is said to destroy the health and lives of several people simultaneously due to the sheer strain.

If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.

This expression describes a situation where a person's reputation or status depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the fact that many people who appear respectable might actually be doing something wrong but simply haven't been caught yet.

For your cunning/seductive words, I killed my own husband.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has been so thoroughly deceived by another person's sweet talk or false pretenses that they have made a grave, irreversible mistake or a massive sacrifice, only to be left with nothing. It highlights the foolishness of trusting manipulative words over reality.

Just because it came from the mother's house, would one pack leftover food and tie it to a dog's mouth?

This proverb is used to criticize someone's lack of discrimination or common sense when dealing with things they value or sentimental items. It implies that just because something belongs to or comes from a beloved source (like a mother's home), it doesn't mean it should be used inappropriately, wasted on something undeserving, or handled without logic.

Killing real cobras while offering milk to cobra idols.

This proverb describes hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to people who harm or neglect living beings in need but perform elaborate rituals for inanimate idols or symbols. It is used to criticize those who ignore their actual responsibilities or moral duties while maintaining a facade of piety or righteousness.

Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.

One's own smell is pleasant to oneself, while another's smell is unbearable.

This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or flaws (even finding them acceptable), but are quick to judge or be disgusted by the same flaws in others. It is commonly used to point out hypocrisy or self-centeredness.

If I go in person, I won't even get buttermilk water, but if a letter goes in my name, they will send curd, he said.

This expression refers to people who live in a state of delusion or false pride, believing their name or reputation carries more weight than their physical presence. It is used to mock someone who thinks they are highly influential or respected despite being treated poorly or ignored in reality. It highlights the irony of someone expecting a grand reception based on a 'request letter' when they cannot even secure basic hospitality in person.