ఇల్లు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే చుట్టకు నిప్పిమ్మన్నట్లు
illu kali edustunte chuttaku nippimmannatlu
Like asking for fire to light a cigar while the house is burning down and someone is crying.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is being extremely insensitive, selfish, or opportunistic during another person's tragedy. It is used when a person focuses on their own trivial needs or petty desires while ignoring a major crisis happening right in front of them.
Related Phrases
కొట్టక ముందే ఏడుస్తావేమంటే, ముందు కొట్టబోతావని ఏడుస్తున్నానన్నట్లు
kottaka munde edustavemante, mundu kottabotavani edustunnanannatlu
When asked why you are crying before being hit, the reply is 'I am crying because you are about to hit me'
This expression refers to people who anticipate trouble or react to a situation before it even occurs. It is used to describe overly anxious behavior or someone who complains in advance to gain sympathy or avoid an impending consequence.
ఇల్లు కాలి ఇల్లాలు ఏడుస్తుంటే రంకు మొగుడొచ్చి రాళ్ళేశాడట
illu kali illalu edustunte ranku mogudochchi ralleshadata
While the housewife was crying because her house was on fire, her paramour came and pelted stones.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is already in deep distress or a catastrophic crisis, and instead of receiving help, someone else adds to their misery or takes advantage of the situation in a cruel or insensitive way. It is used to highlight the extreme insensitivity of others during a person's worst moments.
జుట్టు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, చుట్టకి నిప్పడిగినట్లు
juttu kali edustunte, chuttaki nippadiginatlu
When someone is crying because their hair is on fire, another person asks them for a light for their cigar.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is insensitive or indifferent to another person's severe distress. It highlights the contrast between one person's major crisis and another person's trivial or selfish needs.
ఇల్లు కాలి ఒకడు ఏడుస్తుంటే, ఒళ్ళు కాలి ఒకడు ఏడ్చినట్లు
illu kali okadu edustunte, ollu kali okadu edchinatlu
When one is crying because his house is on fire, another is crying because his body is burning.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are experiencing suffering, but their problems are of completely different scales or natures, making it impossible for them to console each other. It can also refer to a situation where someone is bothered by a trivial personal matter while another person is facing a major catastrophe, highlighting a lack of shared perspective or misplaced priorities during a crisis.
గడ్డం కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, చుట్టకు నిప్పిమ్మని వెంటపడ్డాడట
gaddam kali edustunte, chuttaku nippimmani ventapaddadata
While one's beard was on fire and they were crying, another person chased them for a light for their cigar.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is incredibly insensitive or selfish, seeking a trivial favor from someone who is already in the midst of a major crisis or personal tragedy. It highlights a lack of empathy and the absurdity of prioritizing small needs over someone else's dire situation.
ఇల్లు కాలి ఇల్లాలు ఏడుస్తుంటే, బొగ్గుల వ్యాపారి బేరానికి వచ్చాడట
illu kali illalu edustunte, boggula vyapari beraniki vachchadata
When the housewife was crying because her house caught fire, a charcoal merchant came to bargain for the charcoal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person tries to exploit someone else's tragedy for their own selfish gain. It highlights extreme opportunism and a lack of empathy, focusing on profit while another person is suffering a devastating loss.
గడ్డం కాలి ఒకడు ఏడుస్తుంటే, చుట్టకు నిప్పు ఇమ్మని ఒకడు వెంబడించినట్టు
gaddam kali okadu edustunte, chuttaku nippu immani okadu vembadinchinattu
While one person is crying because his beard is on fire, another is chasing him asking for a light for his cigar.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is incredibly insensitive or selfish, focusing on their own trivial needs while another person is facing a serious crisis or suffering. It is used to criticize people who lack empathy or timing.
కొట్టకమునుపే ఏడుస్తావేమంటే, ముందు కొట్టబోతావని ఏడుస్తానన్నట్టు
kottakamunupe edustavemante, mundu kottabotavani edustanannattu
"Why do you cry before being beaten?" he asked, "you are going to beat me in future" replied [ the boy ].
This proverb describes a person who anticipates trouble or criticism and starts complaining or acting defensive even before the event occurs. It is used to mock someone who overreacts to a situation that hasn't happened yet based on their predictions.
Never yowl till you're hit. Let your trouble tarry till its own day comes. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
గడ్డం కాలి ఒకడు ఏడుస్తుంటే, చుట్టకు నిప్పు ఇమ్మని ఒకడు వెంబడించినట్టు
gaddam kali okadu edustunte, chuttaku nippu immani okadu vembadinchinattu
When one man was crying out that his beard was on fire another followed him asking him for a light for his cigar. If my beard is burnt, others try to light their pipes at it. (Turkish.)
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely insensitive or selfish. It highlights the contrast between one person's serious crisis and another person's trivial, self-centered request, showing a complete lack of empathy for someone else's suffering.
కడుపు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, మనవర్తి ఏమిస్తావు అన్నదట.
kadupu kali edustunte, manavarti emistavu annadata.
When [someone] is crying because their stomach is burning [from hunger], she asked 'What maintenance/allowance will you give?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is suffering from a fundamental or immediate crisis, but someone else offers an irrelevant, future, or secondary solution instead of addressing the urgent need. It highlights the disconnect between a person's basic needs and the superficial help being offered.