నమ్మితి రామన్నా అంటే, నా అంతవాణ్ని చేస్తానన్నట్టు.

nammiti ramanna ante, na antavanni chestanannattu.

Translation

When a man expressed his trust in Râmanna, the latter promised to make him as great a man as himself. Râmanna was really a beggar though pretending to be a great man.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust or reliance on another person results in them being dragged down to that person's level of misfortune or mediocrity. It warns about trusting people who are in a bad state themselves, as they might end up making your situation as bad as theirs.

Related Phrases

When asked 'Will you ruin my house, Ramanna?', he replied 'Is there any doubt about it?'

This expression is used to describe a person who is blatantly and shamelessly honest about their intention to cause harm or mischief. It depicts a situation where someone is so committed to a negative action that they don't even try to hide it when confronted, highlighting their audacity or the inevitability of the impending trouble.

When asked 'Shall I tie a blindfold, Basavanna?', he said 'No', but when asked 'Will you eat boiled grains?', he said 'Yes'.

This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids hard work or responsibility but is the first one to show up for benefits or food. It highlights opportunism and laziness.

"Have you ruined me Râmanna?" [ said a man to his parrot ] "Is there any doubt of that?" it replied. A man was duped into buying a parrot by the seller pretending it had power to discover hidden treasure. He pointed to a place where money had been previously buried and enquired of the parrot, which answered "Is there any doubt of that?" the only sentence it had been taught to repeat. The purchaser having bought the parrot for a large sum, in vain endeavoured to cause it to discover treasure. At last in his disappoint- ment he cried "Have you ruined me Râmanna?" when he received the same answer "Is there any doubt of that?" Applied to a person who knowingly gives bad advice to others, and then laughs at their misfortunes.

This proverb is used to describe a person who shamelessly admits to their blunders or destructive actions without any remorse. It highlights a situation where someone has caused significant damage and, instead of feeling guilty, behaves as if their incompetence or mischief is an established fact.

Do not trust a woman who says she will come, nor a man who says he will give.

This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of empty promises. It highlights that intentions or verbal commitments regarding a woman's arrival or a man's generosity are often unreliable until they actually manifest. It is used as a cautionary advice against blind faith in words alone.

If you say 'I trust you Rama', he replies 'I will drown you in the middle of the river Lakshmana'.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme betrayal. It is used when someone completely trusts another person, but that person takes advantage of that trust to cause them severe harm or ruin. It highlights the irony and cruelty of being betrayed by someone you relied on.

When Basavanna was asked if he would eat cotton seed, he said "Âhâ"; when Basavanna was asked whether he would have on the pack saddle he said "Uhû."

This proverb describes a person who is eager to accept benefits or rewards but refuses to do the associated work or take on responsibilities. It is used to mock people who want the perks without the effort.

Basavanna is the name of a bull sacred to Siva. Bullocks are often familiarly called by this name. Âhâ is an exclamation signifying consent. Uhâ signifies refusal.

Do not believe the man who says he will give, nor the woman who says she will come.

This proverb warns against relying on verbal promises or superficial assurances regarding material gain or romantic interest. It suggests that people often make empty promises to please others or to get out of a situation, and one should only believe actions rather than words.

" I trusted you O Râmanna!" said one "Then I'll drown you in the middle of the river O Lakshmanna!" replied his friend. Misplaced confidence. Trust makes way for treachery. Trust, beware whom ! (German.)* Trust was a good man, Trust-not was a better. (Italian.)

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust is met with extreme betrayal. It highlights the irony and cruelty of being harmed by the very person or source one relied upon for help or protection. It is often applied to scams, treacherous friends, or systems that fail the people they are supposed to serve.

When asked, 'Will you eat cotton seeds, Basavanna?', he said 'Aha!' (Yes); when asked, 'Shall I tie the bag of seeds to you, Basavanna?', he said 'Oohu' (No).

This proverb describes someone who is eager to enjoy the benefits or rewards of a task but is unwilling to take on the labor or responsibility associated with it. It is used to mock people who want freebies but refuse to work for them.

When I said 'I trust you, Ramanna', it's like you tried to make me just like yourself.

This expression is used when someone exploits or betrays the trust of a person who relied on them for help, often by dragging the victim down to their own miserable level or situation instead of uplifting them. It describes a situation where seeking assistance results in being burdened with the helper's own problems.