పాడి ఆవును దానము చేసి పాలు మాత్రము పితుకుకొన్నట్టు.

padi avunu danamu chesi palu matramu pitukukonnattu.

Translation

Like making a present of a milch cow and merely milking her for himself afterwards.

Meaning

This expression refers to someone who gives something away as a gift or charity but still tries to maintain control over it or enjoy its benefits. It is used to describe a person who wants the reputation of being generous without actually letting go of the advantages of the object donated.

Related Phrases

"The male buffalo has calved" cried one, "Then bring the pot and we'll milk him" replied the other.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone blindly follows or reacts to an illogical or impossible statement without using common sense. It highlights gullibility and the lack of critical thinking when hearing rumors or absurd news.

Like a son-in-law donating his mother-in-law's property.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is being generous or charitable with someone else's resources or money rather than their own. It highlights the hypocrisy of taking credit for a sacrifice that doesn't actually cost the giver anything.

Like feeding a buffalo and milking a cow.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one person puts in the effort or investment, but the benefits are reaped by someone else, or where actions are misdirected in a way that doesn't lead to the expected logical result.

Like offering a dead cow to an outcast Brahman. Knock a man down, and kick him for falling. Him that falls all the world run over. (German.) All bite the bitten dog. (Portuguese.)

This expression describes a situation where one useless or ruined thing is given to someone who is already in a helpless or destitute state. It refers to a mock charity or a futile gesture where neither the giver is making a sacrifice nor the receiver is getting any benefit. It is used to mock instances where someone tries to solve a problem with a worthless solution.

Like the bat which thinks it holds up the sky and keeps it from falling.

This proverb is used to mock an individual's arrogance or delusions of grandeur. It describes a person who overestimates their own importance or capabilities, believing that a massive task or organization is succeeding solely because of their insignificant efforts.

Said of a man who thinks everything depends on himself.

Do not count the molar teeth of a donated cow

This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth'. It means that one should not find faults or criticize the quality of something received as a gift or for free.

While he lived no milk was given to him, but he was pro- mised that a sacred cow would be presented [on his ac- count] to a Brahman, after his death.

This proverb describes a hypocritical or ironic situation where someone neglects a person's basic needs when they are alive or in need, but makes grand, expensive gestures of charity or honor once they are gone. It is used to criticize people who perform showy acts of virtue too late to be of any actual help.

Like killing cows and giving away sandals [made of the hide.]

This proverb refers to a person who commits a massive sin or causes great harm to achieve a very minor, insignificant act of charity or good. It highlights the hypocrisy and absurdity of trying to cover up a cruel act with a trivial righteous deed, or using unethical means to justify a small positive end.

Steal the goose, and give the giblets in alms.

Like cutting the very branch you are holding onto

This expression is used to describe a self-destructive action where a person undermines or destroys their own source of support, security, or livelihood. It refers to someone who, out of foolishness or short-sightedness, harms the person or entity they rely on most.

Like feeding grass to a donkey and asking a cow for milk

This expression describes an illogical or foolish expectation where someone invests resources or effort in one place (often the wrong place) and expects results from another. It highlights the absurdity of hoping for a specific outcome without putting in the relevant effort or supporting the right source.