ఇచ్చకాలకు ఉచ్చ తాగితే, గొంతు కంపు కొట్టిందట

ichchakalaku uchcha tagite, gontu kampu kottindata

Translation

If you drink urine just to please others, your throat will stink.

Meaning

This proverb is used to warn against doing something harmful or disgusting just to satisfy or flatter others. It emphasizes that while you might please someone temporarily with flattery or compliance, you are the one who will suffer the consequences and lose your self-respect.

Related Phrases

Will a pony bought for the price of gray nicker nuts jump over a moat?

This proverb is used to illustrate that you get what you pay for. If you invest very little or buy something cheap/low-quality, you cannot expect it to perform heavy or difficult tasks. It highlights the relationship between quality, cost, and capability.

Sycophants scratch pimples for a livelihood.

This proverb describes people who resort to extreme sycophancy or humiliating behavior just to earn a living or gain favor. It highlights how some individuals lose their self-respect and do unpleasant or demeaning tasks (symbolized by scratching someone else's sores) to satisfy their hunger or greed.

A three-day pleasure

This expression refers to something that is short-lived or a temporary joy. It is used to describe situations, relationships, or trends that are transient and do not last for a long time.

Flatterers and sycophants will scratch even sores for the sake of their stomachs.

This proverb describes people who use excessive flattery or perform degrading acts just to please others for personal gain or survival. It is used to criticize sycophants who have no self-respect and are willing to do anything, however disgusting or low, to earn a living or stay in someone's favor.

A perfect housewife supposedly plastered the house floor with urine.

This sarcastic proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be extremely frugal, efficient, or 'perfect' but end up doing something disgusting, counterproductive, or foolish in their attempt to save resources. It highlights the irony of someone claiming to be a great homemaker while violating basic common sense or hygiene.

Even if you cut off your head and give it, he will call it a watermelon.

This expression is used to describe a person who is incredibly ungrateful, cynical, or stubborn. It refers to someone who refuses to acknowledge a great sacrifice or a profound truth, instead dismissing it as something trivial or worthless.

A three-day pleasure

This expression is used to describe something that is short-lived, fleeting, or temporary. It refers to a situation, trend, or happiness that lasts for a very brief period and then vanishes, similar to the English phrase 'nine days' wonder'.

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.

One's own stench is pleasant to oneself, while another's stench causes nausea.

This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or mistakes (finding them acceptable or 'pleasant'), but are quick to find the faults of others repulsive or unbearable. It is used to describe situations where someone ignores their own shortcomings while criticizing others for the same.

A relative's visit lasts three days, then it starts to smell like stagnant water.

This proverb is used to emphasize that guests and relatives are welcome only for a short period. If they overstay their welcome, their presence becomes a nuisance or burden, much like how fresh water becomes foul if left stagnant for too long.