ఊరికే వస్తే మావాడు మరి ఒకడు ఉన్నాడు
urike vaste mavadu mari okadu unnadu
If they are to be had for nothing, I have a relative here. Wishing to get two shares. Greediness.
This proverb is used to criticize people who are overly greedy and try to exploit someone's generosity. It describes a situation where if something is offered for free, a person not only takes it for themselves but also asks for more for their relatives or friends, showing no shame in their greed.
Related Phrases
ఊరికే ఉండలేకపోతే, ఉరి పెట్టుకో.
urike undalekapote, uri pettuko.
If you can't be quiet, hang yourself.
This is a sarcastic and harsh rebuke used against someone who is constantly restless, meddling in others' affairs, or causing trouble because they cannot sit still. It implies that if they are so bored that they must act recklessly or annoyingly, they might as well do something extreme.
చవక వస్తే బజారుకు వస్తుంది
chavaka vaste bajaruku vastundi
If it becomes cheap, it comes to the marketplace.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only willing to do something or offer their services when it requires very little effort or when the risk is extremely low. It is often used to mock someone who avoids responsibility or hard work but suddenly appears when things become easy or free.
అయినవాడు కాలుదువ్వితే కానివాడు మీదికి వస్తాడు
ayinavadu kaluduvvite kanivadu midiki vastadu
If your own person challenges you, an outsider will attack you.
This proverb highlights that internal conflicts or lack of unity among relatives/allies make one vulnerable to outsiders. When your own people turn against you or disrespect you, it gives strangers the courage and opportunity to cause you harm.
విందు మర్నాడు మందు
vindu marnadu mandu
The day after a feast a dose.
This expression highlights the consequences of overindulgence. It implies that if you enjoy a heavy, lavish feast today, you will likely need medicine for indigestion or health issues the following day. It is used as a cautionary saying about moderation.
After a feast a man scratches his head. (French.)*
ఊరికే వస్తే, మావాడు ఇంకొకడు ఉన్నాడు అన్నట్లు.
urike vaste, mavadu inkokadu unnadu annatlu.
If it comes for free, he said he has another person of his own.
This proverb is used to describe human greed. It refers to a person who, upon finding something available for free, immediately tries to claim more for their family or associates, rather than being satisfied with what is given. It is used to mock people who exploit generosity or freebies.
వ్యాధికి మందు వున్నదిగాని, విధికి మందు వున్నదా?
vyadhiki mandu vunnadigani, vidhiki mandu vunnada?
There is a remedy for disease, but is there a remedy for fate?
This proverb is used to express that while physical ailments or problems can be cured with medicine or effort, the outcomes of destiny or fate are inevitable and beyond human control. It is often said when someone faces an unavoidable misfortune despite taking all precautions.
నీవు కాకపోతే నీ అబ్బ మరివకడాయెను
nivu kakapote ni abba marivakadayenu
If you won't do it, your father will. i. e. a better person.
This is a sarcastic or mocking expression used to highlight that if one person is unable or unwilling to do something, someone else (often their father or a relative) will inevitably take their place or be held responsible. It is often used to dismiss someone's self-importance or to suggest that everyone is replaceable.
గుంతకు వస్తే మరదలు మిట్టకు వస్తే వదిన
guntaku vaste maradalu mittaku vaste vadina
If in a ditch she is a sister-in-law (younger); if on a mound she is a sister-in-law (elder).
This expression is used to describe opportunistic behavior. It refers to a person who changes their relationship or attitude towards someone based on the situation or their own convenience. In this context, calling someone 'maradalu' implies a more casual or lower-status relationship when things are difficult (ditch), while calling them 'vadina' implies a more respectful or distant relationship when things are better (mound). It characterizes a fair-weather friend or someone who is inconsistently respectful.
ఉంచుకున్నవాడు మగడు కాడు, పెంచుకున్నవాడు కొడుకు కాడు
unchukunnavadu magadu kadu, penchukunnavadu koduku kadu
The man one keeps is not a husband, the child one raises is not a son.
This proverb reflects traditional social views on legitimacy and formal bonds. It suggests that informal relationships or foster care do not equate to the legal and social status of a marriage or biological lineage. It is often used to emphasize that titles or roles earned through convenience or temporary arrangements lack the permanence and sanctity of formal, recognized institutions.
ఒకనాడు విందు, ఒకనాడు మందు
okanadu vindu, okanadu mandu
One day a feast, one day medicine.
This expression highlights the consequence of overindulgence. It suggests that if you indulge in a lavish feast or overeat today, you will likely end up taking medicine for health issues tomorrow. It serves as a warning for moderation in eating habits.
One day favor, one day disfavor. To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth. (German.)