పెట్టితే తింటారుగాని, తిడితే పడతారా!

pettite tintarugani, tidite padatara!

Translation

They will eat if you feed them, but will they bear it if you scold them?

Meaning

This expression highlights that while people are happy to accept benefits, favors, or gifts, they will not tolerate disrespect or insults in return. It is often used to remind someone that providing for others (like food or money) does not give them the right to be abusive or rude, as human dignity is valued above material gains.

Related Phrases

If Shani catches you, it's seven years; if I catch you, it's fourteen years.

This expression is used to describe someone who is even more troublesome, persistent, or malicious than the astrological deity Shani (Saturn), who is traditionally associated with seven and a half years of hardship. It characterizes a person who refuses to leave someone alone and causes prolonged suffering or annoyance.

You get gold out of earth and earth out of gold. i. e. you buy land with money.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable nature of luck and timing. It suggests that when one is going through a fortunate period, even a worthless effort (mud) turns into wealth (gold), but during an unfortunate period, even a valuable investment (gold) can turn into a loss (mud). It is often used to describe the irony of success and failure.

One who eats it raw because it might shrink if dried.

This expression describes an extremely stingy or miserly person. It refers to someone who is so obsessed with quantity and saving that they would rather consume something in its inferior, raw state (like wet grain or wood) just to avoid the natural, slight loss in volume or weight that occurs during the drying process.

There are many who complain/shout, but none who solve the problem.

This expression is used to describe a situation where many people are ready to point out problems, criticize, or complain loudly, but nobody is willing to take responsibility or provide a constructive solution.

If someone scolds, the words go into the air; if you eat, the food goes inside.

This proverb is used to encourage someone to ignore verbal abuse or insults. It suggests that harsh words are intangible and vanish like the wind without causing physical harm, whereas food provides actual nourishment. It is often said to someone who is upset by criticism or scolding, advising them to stay resilient and focus on their own well-being instead of dwelling on others' words.

There are many to say it's bad, but none to put something in the hand.

This proverb describes a situation where many people are ready to criticize one's poverty, struggles, or bad circumstances, but no one is willing to step forward and offer actual financial or material help. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of society which offers criticism instead of support.

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 you feed, [people] will eat; but if you abuse none will bear it.

This proverb highlights human nature regarding respect and dignity. It means that while people are happy to accept favors or gifts, they will not tolerate being insulted or treated poorly. It is used to advise someone that providing material help does not give them the right to verbal abuse.

If you abuse—anger; if you beat—pain.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive or lacks resilience. It highlights that they react negatively to even the smallest forms of criticism or physical hardship. It can also be used to point out obvious cause-and-effect reactions in human emotions and physical sensations.

The abuse which is heaped on me goes to the winds, but the food which I eat goes within.

This expression is used to advise someone to be thick-skinned or indifferent to verbal abuse or insults. It suggests that harsh words have no physical form and vanish into the air without causing harm, whereas food provides actual nourishment. It is often said to encourage someone not to take criticism to heart as long as their basic needs are met.

A mean sycophant.