ఇంటివారు వేలుచూపితే బయటివారు కాలుచూపుతారు

intivaru veluchupite bayativaru kaluchuputaru

Translation

If the family members show a finger, outsiders will show a leg.

Meaning

This proverb highlights that if you disrespect or expose the weaknesses of your own family members to others, outsiders will take it as an opportunity to treat them even worse. It is a warning to maintain family unity and dignity in public, as any internal crack allows others to exploit or insult the family more severely.

Related Phrases

Who can straighten the curves of a river? Who can straighten a dog's tail?

This expression is used to describe a situation or a person's character that is inherently flawed or crooked and cannot be changed despite any amount of effort. It highlights the futility of trying to reform someone who is naturally stubborn or habitually prone to bad behavior.

The name is Kamalaxi (lotus-eyed), but the sight is that of a crow.

This proverb is used to describe a person whose character or actions do not match their beautiful name or outward reputation. It highlights the irony when someone with a noble name behaves in a mean, suspicious, or crooked manner, much like a crow's restless and sharp gaze.

If you show a finger, they will swallow the arm; if you show the arm, they will swallow the whole person.

This proverb describes people who take undue advantage of someone's kindness or small concessions. It is used to caution against being overly generous with greedy or manipulative people who, when given a small opportunity, will eventually try to take everything or exploit the giver completely.

If the family members address her disrespectfully as 'Ose', outsiders will address her as 'Tase'.

This proverb highlights that others will treat your family members with the same level of respect (or lack thereof) that you show them yourself. If you do not value or respect your own people in public, you cannot expect outsiders to give them any dignity. It emphasizes the importance of mutual respect within a household to maintain social standing.

Water shows the slope, tears show the pain.

Just as water naturally flows towards low-lying areas or slopes, tears naturally reveal a person's underlying sorrow or distress. This expression is used to emphasize that emotions like grief cannot be hidden and will eventually manifest through tears, just as nature follows its own physical laws.

If a blind man lead a blind man, both will fall into the pit.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who lacks knowledge or expertise tries to guide another person who is equally ignorant. It highlights the inevitable failure or disaster that occurs when leadership or advice is sought from incompetent sources. It is equivalent to the English expression 'the blind leading the blind'.

If successful, they claim to be Pakanati; if not, they remain Motati.

This proverb describes people who change their identity, status, or affiliations based on their success or convenience. It highlights opportunism, where individuals associate themselves with a more prestigious group (Pakanati) when they are doing well, but revert to their original or humbler roots (Motati) when things are not going their way. It is used to critique social climbing or inconsistent behavior.

Like pointing a finger and getting labeled as having bad traits.

This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to point out a minor flaw in others but ends up attracting negative attention or criticism towards themselves. It is used when someone's unnecessary interference or criticism backfires, making them look bad instead of the person they were targeting.

If played exactly as before, even a fool can win.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of consistency and repetition in mastering a skill. It suggests that if one repeats a successful action or strategy without deviation, even someone with limited intelligence or skill can eventually achieve success.

If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.

This proverb highlights that if family members disrespect or expose the weaknesses of their own kin, outsiders will feel emboldened to treat them with even greater contempt or cause more significant harm. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and loyalty in maintaining social standing.