ఓపని వానికి వద్దన్నవారే తల్లిదండ్రులు
opani vaniki vaddannavare tallidandrulu
For a lazy person, those who say 'don't do it' are like parents.
This proverb is used to mock lazy people who are unwilling to work. Just as children love parents who don't force them to do chores, a lazy person considers anyone who discourages work or gives them an excuse to be idle as their greatest benefactor or well-wisher.
Related Phrases
ఓపనివారికి వద్దన్నవారే తల్లితండ్రులు
opanivariki vaddannavare tallitandrulu
To those who are unwilling to work, those who say 'no' are like parents.
This expression is used to describe lazy people who look for excuses to avoid work. Just as children are happy when parents tell them they don't have to do something, a lazy person feels grateful and relieved when someone stops them from working or gives them a reason to quit.
మారులోకానికి వెళ్ళినా, మారుతల్లి వద్దు
marulokaniki vellina, marutalli vaddu
Even if one goes to the other world, one should not have a stepmother.
This proverb highlights the traditional societal view of the difficulties a child faces with a stepmother. It suggests that no matter how hard life gets, or even if one must face the unknown of the afterworld, the hardships caused by a stepmother's lack of biological affection are considered worse.
ఓపనివారికి వద్దన్నవారే తల్లిదండ్రులు
opanivariki vaddannavare tallidandrulu
The lazy man looks upon those as his parents who say " Don't [ work ]." An idler is delighted at every interruption.
This proverb is used to describe people who are looking for any excuse to avoid work. To a lazy person, someone who stops them from working or tells them not to do a task feels like a benefactor or a guardian, as it aligns with their desire to remain idle.
భోజనానికి వద్దంటే, పట్టుచీర కట్టుకొని వస్తానన్నట్లు
bhojananiki vaddante, pattuchira kattukoni vastanannatlu
When told not to come for the meal, she said she would come wearing a silk saree.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks self-respect or fails to take a hint. It refers to someone who insists on attending an event or staying in a situation where they are clearly not welcome or have been explicitly disinvited, often by trying to justify their presence with superficial excuses.
ఆలి వంకవారు ఆత్మబంధువులు, తల్లి వంకవారు తగినవారు, తండ్రి వంకవారు దాయాదులు
ali vankavaru atmabandhuvulu, talli vankavaru taginavaru, tandri vankavaru dayadulu
Your wife's people are your own relations; your mother's people are distant relations; your father's people are enemies ( because they are co-heirs ). ( See Vēmana Book II, 32. )
This proverb reflects traditional social dynamics in family relationships. It suggests that a person feels closest to their wife's family (in-laws), considers their mother's side as respectable well-wishers, but views the father's side with caution or as competitors due to historical disputes over ancestral property and succession.
వంగిన వాని కింద మరీ వంగితే, పట్టెడలు తగులుతాయి.
vangina vani kinda mari vangite, pattedalu tagulutayi.
If you bend even lower under someone who is already bent, your joints will be hit.
This proverb warns against excessive submissiveness or trying to be overly humble with someone who is already yielding. It implies that being too accommodating or sycophantic can lead to unnecessary trouble or physical/metaphorical injury. It is used to advise people to maintain their dignity and boundaries.
డబ్బులేని వానికి బోగముది తల్లి వరస
dabbuleni vaniki bogamudi talli varasa
A harlot is as a mother to a man without money. Something beyond the reach of a man's means.
This proverb highlights the cynical reality of materialism. It means that when a person has no money, even those who provide services for a fee (traditionally referring to courtesans) will show no romantic or sexual interest in them, treating them with the platonic distance of a relative. It is used to describe how financial status dictates social and personal relationships.
వద్దన్న పని వాలాయించి చేస్తారు
vaddanna pani valayinchi chestaru
They deliberately do the work that was forbidden
This expression describes a contrary or rebellious nature where someone specifically chooses to do something exactly because they were told not to. It is often used to describe stubborn children or people who show defiance by performing prohibited actions with extra enthusiasm.
ఎవరికి వారే యమునా తీరే
evariki vare yamuna tire
To each their own on the banks of the Yamuna
This expression describes a situation where there is a lack of unity or coordination. It refers to people acting independently or selfishly, even when they are in the same group or location, without any concern for one another.
తల్లి దైవం, తండ్రి ధనం
talli daivam, tandri dhanam
Mother is god, father is wealth
This proverb emphasizes the fundamental importance of parents in one's life. It suggests that a mother provides spiritual and emotional guidance like a deity, while a father provides the material security and resources necessary for a family's well-being. It is used to teach children to respect and value their parents' roles.