చెప్పులు ఉన్నవాడితోను, అప్పులు ఉన్నవాడితోను పోరాదు

cheppulu unnavaditonu, appulu unnavaditonu poradu

Translation

Do not fight with a person wearing footwear or a person who is in debt.

Meaning

This proverb advises caution when picking fights. A person with footwear has a physical advantage in a scuffle, while a person in heavy debt has nothing left to lose and may act desperately or recklessly. It serves as a warning to consider the opponent's situation before engaging in conflict.

Related Phrases

They say one should not walk with a person who is in debt or a person wearing footwear.

This proverb advises against traveling with people who might slow you down or bring trouble. A person in debt might be stopped by creditors, causing delays or embarrassment to the companion. Similarly, in ancient times, walking with someone wearing sandals while you were barefoot (or vice-versa) created a mismatch in pace and social comfort. It is used to suggest that choosing the right company is essential for a smooth journey or venture.

Do not follow a person in debt, nor a person wearing sandals.

This proverb warns against following people who might cause trouble or leave you behind. A debtor might flee suddenly to escape creditors, leading you into their mess, while someone with sandals can walk faster through rough terrain, potentially leaving you stranded or forcing you to keep an unsustainable pace.

Do not walk behind a debtor or someone wearing sandals.

This proverb warns against following people who are in a hurry or in trouble. A debtor is always running away from creditors, and someone with footwear can walk fast or tread on rough ground where you might not be able to keep up. It is used as a metaphor to advise staying away from people who are either fleeing their responsibilities or have an advantage that might lead you into difficult situations.

Let all your rice be chunam and all your cakes frogs ! A certain sage was, on account of his eccentricities, treated as a crazy fellow and not received into society. On one occasion, irritated by being refused admittance to an entertainment, he uttered the above imprecation which to the consternation of the assembled company took effect. They begged his pardon, whereupon he restored in the same miraculous manner the chunam into rice and the frogs into cakes ! The power acquired by austerities.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely ungrateful or dismissive of the food and hospitality provided to them. It suggests that despite being fed well, the person treats the main meals as nothing (zeros) and views the snacks or treats as a burden or tax (tributes) rather than a kind gesture.

The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.

This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.

Association with a weaver or a laborer is not advisable.

This is an old proverb reflecting historical social prejudices. It suggests that associating with certain groups (historically based on caste or occupation) might lead to complications or is unsuitable for one's status. In a modern context, it is used to caution against keeping company with people who have incompatible lifestyles or those who might cause trouble, though it is largely considered outdated due to its discriminatory roots.

The one who has teeth doesn't have nuts, and the one who has nuts doesn't have teeth.

This proverb describes the irony of life where opportunities or resources often come to those who cannot utilize them, while those who have the capability or desire lack the necessary means. It is used to express that life is rarely fair or perfectly balanced.

Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.

This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.

Those with children and those with debts should not have shame.

This proverb suggests that people in certain responsibilities must set aside their pride or hesitation to get things done. Parents often have to ask for help or behave in ways they normally wouldn't for the sake of their children, and debtors must be humble and persistent while working to clear their obligations.

The one who has gives to the one who has; even the one who does not have gives to the one who has.

This proverb highlights a social irony where wealth continues to flow toward the wealthy. It describes a situation where both the rich and the poor tend to favor, gift, or serve those who are already influential and affluent, while those in actual need are often ignored.