దండమయ్యా బాపనయ్యా అంటే, మీతండ్రి నాటి పాత బాకీ యిచ్చి పొమ్మన్నాడట.
dandamayya bapanayya ante, mitandri nati pata baki yichchi pommannadata.
When the Śūdra saluted the Brahman, the latter in return asked him to pay an old debt due by his father. Rudeness in return for civility.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an attempt to be polite or respectful towards someone results in them taking undue advantage or bringing up old grievances. It signifies that being over-courteous to certain demanding or opportunistic people can sometimes invite trouble or unwanted obligations.
Related Phrases
పుచ్చిన వంకాయలు బాపనయ్యలకు
puchchina vankayalu bapanayyalaku
The rotten brinjals to the Brahmans.
This proverb is used to describe a stingy or hypocritical attitude where people donate or give away only useless, damaged, or spoiled items to others (traditionally referring to priests in this context) while keeping the good ones for themselves. It highlights the tendency to offer charity only when the item is of no value to the giver.
పెట్టి పొయ్యనమ్మ కొట్టి పొమ్మన్నదట.
petti poyyanamma kotti pommannadata.
She that gave neither food nor drink, beat [me] and said "be off." Said by a beggar.
This proverb describes a person who is not only uncharitable or unhelpful but also behaves rudely or aggressively towards those seeking help. It is used to highlight a situation where instead of receiving expected hospitality or assistance, one receives harsh treatment.
ఉపాయము చెప్పవయ్యా అంటే, ఉరిత్రాడు తెచ్చుకొమ్మన్నాడట.
upayamu cheppavayya ante, uritradu techchukommannadata.
When asked for a solution, he told them to bring a hangman's noose.
This proverb describes a situation where someone asks for helpful advice or a solution to a problem, but receives a suggestion that is destructive, fatal, or worsens the situation. It is used to criticize foolish or malicious advice that leads to one's own downfall.
బడాయి ఏమిర అన్నయ్యా అంటే పైసా లేదుర తమ్మయ్యా అన్నాడట
badayi emira annayya ante paisa ledura tammayya annadata
When asked 'What is with this showing off, brother?', he replied 'I don't have a single paisa, younger brother.'
This proverb is used to mock people who boast or show off their status and lifestyle while actually being broke or having no resources. It highlights the irony of people maintaining a grand facade despite having an empty pocket.
రావేమయ్యా తిండివేమయ్యా అంటే వెనక్కే పోయానన్నాడట.
ravemayya tindivemayya ante venakke poyanannadata.
When asked, "Come sir, have some food," he replied, "I have already gone back (declined/left)."
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly sensitive, unnecessarily prideful, or plays hard to get even when someone is being hospitable. It depicts a situation where a guest feels offended or acts dramatic over a perceived delay in an invitation, responding with a sarcastic or stubborn attitude despite actually wanting the favor.
వస్తానయ్యా బావనయ్యా అంటే వద్దే ముండా వర్జ్యముంది అన్నాట్ట.
vastanayya bavanayya ante vadde munda varjyamundi annatta.
When the brother-in-law said 'I will come', the woman replied 'No, it is an inauspicious time'.
This proverb describes people who use silly or unnecessary excuses to avoid something that is actually desirable or appropriate. It specifically mocks those who observe superstitions (like 'Varjyam' or inauspicious timing) at the wrong moments or to an absurd extent, thereby missing out on opportunities or natural events.
దోవన పోయేదెవరయ్యా అంటే దొబ్బులుతినే నేనయ్యా అన్నట్లు
dovana poyedevarayya ante dobbulutine nenayya annatlu
When asked who is passing by on the path, someone replies 'It is me, the one who gets scolded'
This expression describes a situation where an innocent bystander or a random person unnecessarily gets involved in trouble or becomes a scapegoat for no fault of their own. It is used to mock one's own misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
జగడమెట్లా వస్తుంది లింగమయ్యా అంటే, బిచ్చంపెట్టవే బొచ్చుముండా అన్నాడట.
jagadametla vastundi lingamayya ante, bichchampettave bochchumunda annadata.
When asked 'How do fights start, Lingamayya?', he replied 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'
This proverb is used to describe a person who intentionally provokes a conflict or starts a fight for no reason. It highlights how someone can turn a normal situation into an argument by using offensive or insulting language unnecessarily.
ఎవరు ఇచ్చినది ఈ మాన్యము అంటే, నేనే ఇచ్చుకున్నాను అన్నాడట.
evaru ichchinadi i manyamu ante, nene ichchukunnanu annadata.
When asked " Who gave you the freehold?" he said " I gave it to myself." Said of one who helps himself without regard to the law of meum and tuum.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks legitimate authority or external validation and instead relies on self-proclamations or self-awarded honors. It mocks those who boast about achievements or titles they have unilaterally claimed without any basis in truth or merit.
దండమయ్యా బాపనయ్యా అంటే నీ తండ్రి నాటి పాత బాకీ ఇచ్చి పొమ్మన్నాడట
dandamayya bapanayya ante ni tandri nati pata baki ichchi pommannadata
When someone offered a respectful salute to the priest, he replied by asking to pay back the old debt owed by the person's father.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an act of courtesy or a friendly gesture is met with an unwelcome demand or a harsh reminder of past obligations. It characterizes people who cannot look past their own interests or greed even when being treated with respect.