పెడితే పెళ్లి, పెట్టకపోతే శ్రాద్ధం

pedite pelli, pettakapote shraddham

Translation

If you feast me [I shall consider it] a marriage and if not, a funeral.

Meaning

This expression describes a person with a fickle or opportunistic nature who praises you when you provide them with benefits but turns hostile and curses you the moment you stop. It highlights extreme inconsistency in behavior based solely on self-interest.

Notes

Fair and foul words.

Related Phrases

If given, it's a wedding; if not, it's total destruction.

This expression describes an extreme, 'all or nothing' attitude or a situation that results in either a grand celebration or complete ruin. It is often used to characterize people who are unpredictable and prone to overreacting—becoming overly generous when happy but destructive or hostile when they don't get their way.

Adishravanam (an unrelated ritual) for Akkamma's funeral ceremony.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an unnecessary or irrelevant delay, or when someone brings up unrelated matters that prolong a task. It highlights the act of complicating a simple procedure with unnecessary additions or rituals.

If you give him butter he cannot swallow it, if you give him your finger he cannot bite it.

This expression is used to describe a person who appears extremely innocent, naive, or passive to the point of being helpless or dull-witted. It often refers to someone who lacks the basic initiative or reaction expected in common situations.

As demure as if butter would not melt in his mouth, and yet cheese will not choke him.

If given, a wedding; if not, crackers.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely demanding or fickle. It implies that if things go their way, they will celebrate (a wedding), but if they don't get what they want, they will create chaos or break relationships (crackers/explosions). It describes an 'all or nothing' or 'my way or the highway' attitude.

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.

A woman who does not give [ alms ] will never give ; what evil has happened to the jade who does give ?

This proverb describes a person who neither does a good deed themselves nor allows others to do it. It is used to criticize dog-in-the-manger behavior where someone obstructs progress or charity despite having no intention of contributing themselves.

Said by a beggar of one from whom he generally received alms.

If served, it is a wedding; if not, it is a divorce.

This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic mindset. It refers to people who are only friendly and supportive as long as they are receiving benefits or being favored (represented by the wedding feast), but immediately turn hostile or sever ties when those benefits stop (represented by divorce). It highlights how some relationships are based solely on self-interest rather than genuine loyalty.

If you give, [I shall consider there is ] a marriage [in your house] and if you don't give, a funeral.

This expression describes a situation where things go smoothly as long as a person's demands or conditions are met, but the moment they are denied, they cause chaos or break the relationship. It is used to characterize fickle or demanding people who create trouble when they don't get their way.

The impertinent speech of a beggar. ఈ.

If given, it's a marriage; if not, it's shattered pieces.

This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic person who is pleasant and supportive only as long as they receive favors or benefits. If their demands are met, everything is celebrated (like a wedding); if not, they turn hostile and create trouble (represented by the sound of crackers or destruction).

The water drawn with the Picota is the drink offering of dis- regarded ancestors.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task or a ritual with utter carelessness or lack of devotion. Just as ancestors should be offered water with respect (Tarpana), using a large irrigation lift (Yetam) implies doing it crudely or excessively just to get it over with. It highlights doing things for the sake of formality without any genuine sincerity.

Tarpana is a drink offering to the manes of deceased ancestors (Pitris). An irreverent fellow, when pressed by his friends to perform the cere- mony, offered the water he was drawing for other purposes. An unwilling action, done to satisfy others.