అధికారాంతమునందు చూడవలెరా ఆయయ్య సౌభాగ్యముల్

adhikarantamunandu chudavalera ayayya saubhagyamul

Translation

One must observe a person's true fortune and character after their power comes to an end.

Meaning

This expression highlights that a person's true nature, status, and the respect they truly earned are only visible once they no longer hold a position of authority. It is used to caution against being arrogant while in power, as the real 'wealth' is how people treat you after you step down.

Related Phrases

If you are rich, will you eat your gold ? A man, however rich, can only live by food, like other men.

This proverb is used to emphasize that basic necessities like food are the same for everyone, regardless of their wealth. It suggests that money cannot buy everything and that even the richest person must eat simple grains to survive, reminding people to remain humble and practical about the value of wealth.

Either be a beggar or a millionaire.

This proverb suggests that in life, it is better to be at one extreme or the other rather than being stuck in the middle. It emphasizes that both a person with nothing to lose and a person with immense resources have a certain type of freedom or power, whereas those in the middle often face the most struggles and anxieties.

Health is real wealth.

In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.

If you are industrious, you will become rich.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence. It means that success, prosperity, and good fortune are the direct results of one's efforts and labor. It is used to encourage someone to persevere in their tasks to achieve a better life.

There is no fortune greater than being alive.

This expression emphasizes that life itself is the greatest wealth one can possess. It is used to provide perspective during financial loss or hardship, suggesting that as long as one is alive and healthy, they have the opportunity to rebuild and succeed.

Even if charcoal glows with the glory of musk, it remains superior only if it gains the fortune of fragrance.

This expression highlights that outer appearance or status (like the glow of burning charcoal) is meaningless without intrinsic qualities or character (represented by the fragrance of musk). It is used to suggest that superficial changes cannot replace true merit or internal value.

If one is wealthy, do they eat gold?

This proverb highlights the essential nature of basic necessities over luxury. It implies that no matter how rich a person is, they still need food to survive just like anyone else. It is used to humble those who are arrogant about their wealth or to remind people that money cannot satisfy every human need.

In romance and in war, everything is justified.

This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'All is fair in love and war.' It suggests that in intense situations like love or conflict, conventional rules and morality are often set aside to achieve victory or success.

One must be a master of alms or a master of lakhs. i. e. either a beggar or a very rich man.

This proverb emphasizes that one should aim for extremes rather than being stuck in the middle. It suggests that a person should either be completely detached from worldly possessions (like a master ascetic/beggar) or be immensely wealthy (a millionaire), as both positions command a certain type of freedom or influence, whereas being in the middle often brings struggle and dissatisfaction.

Entertainments [ bring ] relations, flattery [ brings ] fortune.

This proverb suggests that people become your relatives or show affection as long as you provide for them (serve food/gifts), and fortune or success is often gained through flattering others. It is used to describe the superficial nature of certain social bonds and worldly success.

While the pot boils friendship blooms. (GERMAN.)*