పుచ్చిన వంకాయలు బాపనయ్యలకు
puchchina vankayalu bapanayyalaku
The rotten brinjals to the Brahmans.
This proverb is used to describe a stingy or hypocritical attitude where people donate or give away only useless, damaged, or spoiled items to others (traditionally referring to priests in this context) while keeping the good ones for themselves. It highlights the tendency to offer charity only when the item is of no value to the giver.
Related Phrases
దండమయ్యా బాపనయ్యా అంటే, మీతండ్రి నాటి పాత బాకీ యిచ్చి పొమ్మన్నాడట.
dandamayya bapanayya ante, mitandri nati pata baki yichchi pommannadata.
When the Śūdra saluted the Brahman, the latter in return asked him to pay an old debt due by his father. Rudeness in return for civility.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an attempt to be polite or respectful towards someone results in them taking undue advantage or bringing up old grievances. It signifies that being over-courteous to certain demanding or opportunistic people can sometimes invite trouble or unwanted obligations.
పూచిన పూలన్నీ కాయలవుతాయా?
puchina pulanni kayalavutaya?
Will all the flowers that bloom turn into fruits?
This proverb is used to convey that not every effort, beginning, or potential opportunity results in a successful outcome. Just as many flowers fall off a tree without becoming fruit, many plans or people do not reach their expected potential.
చచ్చిన వాడి కళ్లు పత్తికాయలంత
chachchina vadi kallu pattikayalanta
The eyes of a dead man are as large as cotton bolls.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the virtues, qualities, or features of someone or something only after they are gone or no longer available. It refers to the human tendency to overstate the importance of a lost opportunity or a deceased person.
వంకర టింకర కాయలు ఏమిటివి అంటే, చిన్ననాడు అమ్మిన చింతకాయలు అన్నాడట
vankara tinkara kayalu emitivi ante, chinnanadu ammina chintakayalu annadata
When she asked "What are those crooked pods?" they re- plied "The unripe tamarinds you sold in your youth." The story goes that the daughter of very poor parents who in her youth had to go about selling the unripe tamarinds she was able to gather from under the trees, afterwards became the wife of a rich man. Passing through the streets one day in her grand palankin, she superciliously enquired what a tamarind girl was selling, when her bearers replied as above, "These are the tamarinds Madam, which you sold in your youth." To take one a peg lower. You used to be a baker though now you wear gloves. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to justify their current mistakes or poor behavior by linking them to past habits or experiences. It also mocks people who give obvious or silly explanations for things that are common knowledge, pretending as if they have discovered something unique.
పట్టిలు తినని కూరగాయలు బాపలకు దానమన్నట్లు
pattilu tinani kuragayalu bapalaku danamannatlu
Like donating vegetables that cows won't eat to the priests.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone 'generously' gives away something that is useless or unwanted by themselves. It highlights hypocritical charity or disposing of junk under the guise of being helpful or religious.
చింతకాయలు బేరంచేస్తూ, వంకరటింకర కాయలేమి అన్నట్లు
chintakayalu beranchestu, vankaratinkara kayalemi annatlu
While bargaining for tamarinds, asking why they are crooked.
This proverb is used to describe someone who finds fault in the natural or inherent characteristics of an object or situation just to get a lower price or to criticize for the sake of it. Since tamarinds are naturally crooked, complaining about their shape while trying to buy them is illogical and hypocritical.
అయ్యలకూ మియ్యలకూ అప్ప పెట్టరాదు.
ayyalaku miyyalaku appa pettaradu.
Do not serve food to strangers and wayfarers.
This proverb is a warning against wasting resources or showing hospitality to unknown, transient, or unworthy people (strangers) while neglecting one's own family or those who are truly deserving. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your own responsibilities and family before trying to please random outsiders who have no lasting connection to you.
చింతకాయలు అమ్మేదానికి సిరిమానం వస్తే, ఆ వంకరటింకరవి ఏమి కాయలు అన్నదట
chintakayalu ammedaniki sirimanam vaste, a vankaratinkaravi emi kayalu annadata
When a woman who sells tamarind gets prosperity, she asks what those crooked fruits are.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, upon achieving sudden wealth or a higher status, pretends to be unfamiliar with their humble origins or the very things that once formed their livelihood. It highlights hypocrisy, false pride, and the tendency to look down upon one's past.
దండమయ్యా బాపనయ్యా అంటే నీ తండ్రి నాటి పాత బాకీ ఇచ్చి పొమ్మన్నాడట
dandamayya bapanayya ante ni tandri nati pata baki ichchi pommannadata
When someone offered a respectful salute to the priest, he replied by asking to pay back the old debt owed by the person's father.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an act of courtesy or a friendly gesture is met with an unwelcome demand or a harsh reminder of past obligations. It characterizes people who cannot look past their own interests or greed even when being treated with respect.
దయ్యాలతో నెయ్యాలు చేసినట్లు.
dayyalato neyyalu chesinatlu.
Like making friendships with ghosts/demons.
This expression is used to describe a dangerous or ill-advised alliance with wicked, untrustworthy, or harmful people. Just as a ghost is unpredictable and potentially lethal, befriending such individuals will eventually lead to one's own downfall.