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.
Related Phrases
గాడిద కొడకా అంటే తమరు తండ్రులు మేము బిడ్డలము అన్నాడట
gadida kodaka ante tamaru tandrulu memu biddalamu annadata
When called 'Son of a donkey', he replied 'Then you are the father and we are the children'.
This proverb is used to describe a witty or sarcastic retort to an insult. It highlights a situation where someone tries to insult another person, but the target cleverly turns the logic back on the insulter, making them the target of their own abuse. It is used when someone attempts to belittle others but ends up looking foolish due to the recipient's quick-witted response.
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.
ఎవరికి వారే యమునా తీరే
evariki vare yamuna tire
Every man to his own way on the banks of the Yamunâ ( Jumna ). There every man is free to do what he has a fancy for.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a lack of unity, coordination, or common purpose among a group of people. It suggests that even though people are in the same place or situation, they are acting independently, selfishly, or are indifferent to one another, much like strangers sitting apart on a riverbank.
తల్లిదండ్రులు అన్నదమ్ములున్నా పొలతికి పురుషుడు కొరవే
tallidandrulu annadammulunna polatiki purushudu korave
Even if there are parents and brothers, for a woman, a husband is indispensable.
This proverb emphasizes that despite having the support and love of her birth family (parents and siblings), a married woman's primary source of security, status, and companionship in traditional society is her husband. It is used to highlight the unique and essential role a spouse plays in a woman's life.
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.
వచ్చిన వారికి వరమిస్తాను, రాని వారికి రాయి వేస్తాను
vachchina variki varamistanu, rani variki rayi vestanu
I will grant a boon to those who come, and cast a stone on those who do not come. Supposed to have been said by a deity. Used threateningly by a great personage.
This expression is used to describe a person who shows extreme favoritism or bias. It implies that the person rewards those who comply with their wishes or approach them, while actively punishing or sabotaging those who do not follow their lead or stay away. It highlights a dual nature of being overly generous to allies and hostile to others.
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.
అయినవారికి ఆకుల్లో, కానివారికి కంచాల్లో పెట్టినట్లు.
ayinavariki akullo, kanivariki kanchallo pettinatlu.
Like serving one's own people on leaves and others in plates.
Traditionally, eating on a leaf was considered superior or more respectful than a plate. This expression describes showing favoritism or partiality, where someone treats their close relatives or favorites with special care while neglecting or being formal/distant with others.
ఎవరి పిచ్చి వారికి ఆనందం
evari pichchi variki anandam
Everyone's own madness is a source of joy to them.
This proverb is used to describe how people have their own unique quirks, hobbies, or obsessions that might seem strange or foolish to others but bring immense happiness to themselves. It suggests that one should not judge others' personal interests, as subjective satisfaction is what matters most to the individual.
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.