నీ బట్టిగొడ్డును ఎవరు కాస్తారు చూస్తాము అంటే నా తిత్తిలోని డబ్బే కాస్తుంది అన్నాడట

ni battigoddunu evaru kastaru chustamu ante na tittiloni dabbe kastundi annadata

Translation

When asked who would protect his barren cow, he replied that the money in his pouch would protect it.

Meaning

This expression highlights how people with immense wealth believe that their money can solve any problem or provide security for even the most useless or unproductive assets. It is used to describe the arrogance or over-reliance on financial power.

Related Phrases

The wolf said it would guard the sheep without any salary or allowances.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with malicious intent or a natural predator offers 'selfless' help to their prey. It warns against trusting someone who stands to benefit secretly from the very thing they are supposed to protect, highlighting hypocrisy and ulterior motives.

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.

When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

If you look after me, I will protect you.

This is a popular Telugu saying often used in the context of money or savings (Dhanam). It suggests that if you manage your resources wisely and take care of your wealth, it will in turn protect you during difficult times or when you are in need.

" Who will watch your buffalo?" said [ a herdsman ]—" The money in my purse will do it" replied [ the master ]. A fit answer to an impertinent servant.

This proverb highlights the power of money and wealth. It suggests that if one has financial resources, they can hire help or find solutions to manage their responsibilities, implying that wealth can provide security and labor where physical effort or family support might be lacking.

Looking at the ox brings affection, but looking at its struggle to pull brings weariness.

This proverb highlights the contrast between the attractive appearance or potential of something and the harsh reality of the hard work or effort required to manage it. It is used when someone likes the idea or the look of a project or responsibility, but is discouraged once they see the difficult labor involved in executing it.

As if what you see during the day appears in your dreams at night

This expression refers to things that leave such a strong impression on the mind that they continue to haunt or reappear in thoughts. It is used to describe someone who is obsessed with a particular thought or a traumatic/intense event that they cannot stop thinking about even when asleep.

If everyone climbs into the palanquin, who will be there to carry it?

This proverb is used to highlight the necessity of a division of labor. It means that in any society or project, everyone cannot be a leader or enjoy high status simultaneously; some people must perform the actual work or supportive tasks for the system to function. It is often used when everyone wants to be the boss but no one wants to do the work.

Like saying "yes" when asked whether brinjals grow in the river. A time server.

This expression is used to describe a person who agrees with everything someone says, even if it is logically impossible or absurd, usually to avoid conflict, please someone, or out of pure sycophancy. It highlights a lack of independent thinking or honesty.

No one sees the actions done, but everyone sees the nose that was cut off.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where people ignore or overlook the provocations or bad deeds that led to a conflict, but are quick to criticize the final visible outcome or the retaliation. It highlights how society often judges the end result without considering the underlying causes or history of the behavior.