Provençal expression

Faï de ben a Bertrand, te lou rendra en caguant

Wisdom

Literal translation

Do good to Bertrand, he will pay it back to you by shitting on it.

Meaning

do good to Bertrand, he repays it with harm; ingratitude rewards kindness

Explanation

Do good to Bertrand, and he will repay it by shitting on it: a crude proverb about ingratitude. A kindness done comes back as harm, not gratitude. The source cuts off the end of the crude word with an ellipsis, reconstituted here without changing its meaning.

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Other expressions on the same theme

Vau miès uno pichoto bono acioun qu'uno grando bono entenciouna small good deed is worth more than a great good intention a cènt an rèn que de dimencheat a hundred, every day is Sunday la vido di gàrrieternal life qu'au bastis sus la graveno, perdi soun tèms emai sa penobuild on gravel and you waste your time and effort de tis amis digo tout bien, de tis enemis digues renspeak only well of your friends, and nothing of your enemies quand sias nascu pounchu poudès pas mouri carrayou can't change your basic nature