నా దగ్గర ధనం ఉన్నంతవరకు నన్ను అందరూ 'అన్నా' అని పిలిచినారు

na daggara dhanam unnantavaraku nannu andaru anna ani pilichinaru

Translation

As long as I had wealth, everyone called me 'Brother'

Meaning

This expression highlights the fickle nature of human relationships and social status, suggesting that people are often drawn to others only for their money or power. Once the wealth is gone, the respect and relationships often disappear as well.

Related Phrases

Beckoning to a religious mendicant and then telling him that one of his eyes is hollow. Leading a person to suppose you wish to confer a benefit on him, and then insulting him.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone invites another person or calls them near with a pretense of kindness or intimacy, only to insult, criticize, or point out their flaws once they are close. It refers to people who use proximity or friendship as an opportunity to be rude or hurtful.

Burnt earth will not adhere to unburnt. People in different positions in life cannot be very intimate.

This expression is used to describe two people or entities that are fundamentally incompatible or cannot reconcile their differences. Just as burnt clay/soil loses its binding property and cannot merge with raw, unburnt soil, people with opposing natures or those who have had a major falling out cannot be easily brought back together.

Calling someone close and then telling them they have a hollow eye.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is invited or welcomed under the guise of hospitality or friendship, only to be insulted, criticized, or humiliated once they arrive. It highlights the rudeness of offending a guest after specifically seeking their company.

Calling a servant closer only to tell him that his eye is sunken.

This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out of their way to call or approach another person, not to help or offer something positive, but merely to point out a flaw or insult them. It is used to describe mean-spirited behavior or unsolicited criticism delivered under the guise of personal attention.

He said 'brother' to the axe blow

This expression describes a situation where someone suddenly becomes humble, respectful, or starts calling an enemy 'brother' only when faced with an immediate, life-threatening danger or severe punishment. It is used to mock people who only show manners or submission when they are under duress.

Whether death approaches or a wife approaches, one loses their mind.

This proverb highlights two extremes where a person loses their rational thinking or common sense: when facing imminent death (due to fear and panic) and when overwhelmed by lust or infatuation. It is used to describe situations where a person acts irrationally under the influence of extreme fear or intense desire.

Good people were sent to good people, and I was sent to you.

This is a witty or self-deprecating expression used to highlight compatibility or a shared level of mischief/character between two people. It implies that just as 'like attracts like' for good people, the speaker and the listener are a perfect match for each other, often used humorously among close friends or partners to acknowledge their shared quirks or flaws.

They sent the wise people to the wise and sent me to you.

This is a witty, self-deprecating, and sarcastic remark used to insult the person being spoken to. It implies that both the speaker and the listener are fools, contrasting them with the 'wise people' who were sent elsewhere. It is often used humorously among friends to call someone an idiot without being overly aggressive.

A chicken eaten by a cat will not respond even if called.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has suffered a loss or been exploited, and no matter how much you try to reach out or rectify it, the damage is irreversible. It is often applied to someone who has gone missing or something that has been stolen/consumed, implying it is futile to expect a response or return.

When said 'Trust me, Narayana', he replied 'I would rather trust a fox'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has so little faith in a particular person that they would rather trust a notoriously cunning or deceitful entity (like a fox) instead. It highlights extreme distrust or the irony of someone untrustworthy asking for faith.