నేను మందు తింటా, నీవు పథ్యం ఉండు అన్నట్లు
nenu mandu tinta, nivu pathyam undu annatlu
Like saying 'I will take the medicine, you follow the dietary restrictions'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person expects another to bear the burden or follow the rules for a benefit they themselves seek. It highlights the absurdity of expecting results without personal effort or sacrifice, or shifting one's responsibilities onto others.
Related Phrases
పనీలేదు, పాటా లేదు పట్టత్తా, నీ కాళ్ళకైనా మొక్కుతాను అన్నట్లు
paniledu, pata ledu pattatta, ni kallakaina mokkutanu annatlu
Like saying 'No work, no song, Pattatta, I will even bow to your feet'
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so idle or lacking any productive work that they begin to interfere in others' matters or resort to unnecessary, trivial, or desperate actions just to pass the time. It is used to mock someone who is completely jobless and meddling where they aren't needed.
మందుకు పథ్యం, మాటలకు సత్యం
manduku pathyam, matalaku satyam
Diet for medicine, truth for words
Just as a specific diet (pathyam) is essential for medicine to work effectively, truthfulness is the essential quality that gives value and weight to one's words. It emphasizes that without integrity, speech loses its purpose.
ఇంత మంది దొరలు చావక పోతే నేను మాత్రం చస్తానా, నాకూ అక్కజలేదు అన్నాడట.
inta mandi doralu chavaka pote nenu matram chastana, naku akkajaledu annadata.
If so many masters/rich people haven't died, why would I die? I am in no hurry either, he said.
This proverb is used to mock someone who foolishly procrastinates or avoids responsibility by observing that others haven't done it yet. It highlights a false sense of security or laziness where a person justifies their inaction or lack of urgency by pointing at others who are equally stagnant, even when the task or situation is inevitable.
నేను మందు తింటాను, నీవు పత్యం ఉండు అన్నట్టు
nenu mandu tintanu, nivu patyam undu annattu
Like saying 'I will take the medicine, you follow the dietary restrictions'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person seeks the benefits of an action while expecting someone else to undergo the necessary discipline, hardship, or sacrifice required for it. It highlights a lack of personal responsibility and the absurdity of expecting results without putting in the individual effort.
పంచాగ్ని మధ్యమందున్నట్లు
panchagni madhyamandunnatlu
Like being in the middle of five fires
This expression describes a situation where a person is surrounded by overwhelming difficulties, intense pressure, or severe tests from all directions. It is often used to convey a state of extreme distress or being trapped in a highly stressful environment.
కాసీ పూసే చింతా, గన్నారపు సంతా, నీళ్ళకడవకాడ ముంతా, నిద్రకేమి పుచ్చు కొంటావే.
kasi puse chinta, gannarapu santa, nillakadavakada munta, nidrakemi puchchu kontave.
The tamarind that bears fruit and flowers, the market for oleander, the small vessel near the water pot—what will you take for sleep?
This is a traditional Telugu folk riddle or a rhythmic nursery rhyme (lullaby style). It describes a series of everyday objects and nature scenes in a rhyming pattern, used to distract or soothe a child into sleeping. It reflects rural life where tamarind trees, flower markets, and water pots were central themes.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోను అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెండ్లాడి ఉందును అన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekaponu ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pendladi undunu annadata.
When a wife said "If I had not been born, you would not have had a wife," the husband replied "If you had not been born, I should have married your mother." i. e. a better woman.
This is a witty and biting comeback used to silence someone who is being overly boastful or arrogant about their importance in a situation. It highlights that no one is indispensable and that there are always alternatives, even if the alternatives suggested are humorous or absurdly provocative.
నేను ఆకలికాకుండా నీకు మందు చెబుతా, ముందు నాకు కాస్త గంజి నీళ్ళు పోయమన్నట్లు.
nenu akalikakunda niku mandu chebuta, mundu naku kasta ganji nillu poyamannatlu.
Like saying, 'I will tell you a medicine to stop your hunger, but first pour me some congee water.'
This expression is used to describe a hypocritical or ironic situation where a person who claims to have a solution for a problem is suffering from the exact same problem themselves. It highlights the absurdity of seeking or receiving advice from someone who cannot even help themselves.
మందుకు పథ్యం మాటకు సత్యం
manduku pathyam mataku satyam
Diet for medicine, truth for speech
Just as a medicine is only effective when a strict diet (pathyam) is followed, speech only gains value and effectiveness when it is truthful. It emphasizes that integrity is as essential to character as discipline is to health.
ఓబీ ఓబీ నీవు వడ్లు దంచు నేను పక్కలెగరేస్తాను అన్నట్లు
obi obi nivu vadlu danchu nenu pakkalegarestanu annatlu
Like saying, 'Obi, Obi, you pound the grain, and I will shrug my shoulders.'
This expression is used to describe a person who avoids hard work while pretending to be busy or helpful. It highlights a situation where one person does all the labor while the other merely makes unnecessary gestures or stands by without contributing anything useful.