జగడమెట్లా వస్తుంది లింగమయ్యా అంటే, బిచ్చంపెట్టవే బొచ్చుముండా అన్నాడట.

jagadametla vastundi lingamayya ante, bichchampettave bochchumunda annadata.

Translation

When asked 'How do fights start, Lingamayya?', he replied 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

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.

When asked how a quarrel starts, the priest replied, 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'

This proverb describes a situation where someone intentionally initiates a conflict by being unnecessarily rude or provocative. It is used when a person deliberately uses offensive language to spark a fight, even when there is no prior reason for an argument.

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.

When one said " O Pôla! is it not work without pay ?" he replied " Alas! Sir, there is no way to get out of it." Said of any disagreeable duty, which must be performed without remuneration. To have nothing but one's labour for one's pains. Like the tailor who sewed for nothing and found thread himself. Better sit idle than work for nought.

This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to do a difficult or unrewarding task against their will. It highlights the helplessness of an individual who must comply with an order even when they are miserable doing it. It is used to mock or point out a situation where work is done out of pure obligation without any joy or benefit.

Out of a billion Shiva Lingas, he asked to look for his bald one.

This expression is used when someone makes a ridiculous or impossible request for personal attention or recognition in a massive crowd or a very large collection. It highlights the absurdity of expecting something insignificant or ordinary to be singled out among millions of similar, or superior, entities.

"O Kanakalingam ! how did you lose your eyes ?" asked one; "The result of my deeds, O Śambhulingam!" replied the other. An evasive answer.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to hide their mistakes or incompetence by blaming it on fate, karma, or destiny. It specifically refers to people who give philosophical or fatalistic excuses for problems they likely caused themselves, or when someone avoids giving a direct answer to a straightforward question about their failures.

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.

When one said 'Oh Lord Shambulinga, this is the destiny I have created for myself', the response was 'Oh Abbulinga, there is no way out but to endure it'

This proverb emphasizes the law of karma and accountability. It suggests that one must inevitably face the consequences of their own actions, whether good or bad. It is used in contexts where someone is complaining about their self-inflicted troubles, highlighting that regret is futile and one must endure the results of their past choices.

When asked 'How do quarrels start, O holy man?', he replied 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone deliberately provokes a conflict or starts an argument unnecessarily. It highlights how a person can turn a peaceful inquiry or a normal interaction into a fight by using offensive language or being intentionally rude.

When the Jangam was told that the house had caught fire, he replied "I have my bag and bowl with me." Selfish indifference.

This proverb describes a person who is completely detached or indifferent to a situation because they have no personal stake or property at risk. It is used to remark on individuals who remain unconcerned about a general disaster or collective loss because their own minimal belongings are safe, or to describe those who prioritize their small interests over a major catastrophe affecting others.