ఆపద మొక్కులు, సంపద మరుపులు

apada mokkulu, sampada marupulu

Translation

Vows during danger, forgetfulness during wealth.

Meaning

This proverb describes human nature where people pray fervently and make many promises to God or others when they are in trouble, but completely forget those promises once they become wealthy or their problems are solved. It is used to criticize ungratefulness or fair-weather devotion.

Related Phrases

One person's earnings are shared by ten people.

This proverb refers to a situation where a single individual is the sole breadwinner for a large extended family or a group of dependents. It describes the burden of one person's hard work sustaining many others, often used when discussing family responsibilities or collective dependency on one source of income.

Vows in times of trouble, carping [ at the gods ] in times of prosperity.

This proverb describes a person's fickle nature towards God or others. When in trouble (Apathu), people make grand promises and vows, but once they attain wealth or success (Sampathu), they make excuses or become 'lame' (Kuntlu) to avoid fulfilling those commitments.

The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be; The devil grew well, the devil a monk was he. (Latin.)* * Aegrotat daemon, monachus tunce esse volebat; Daemon convaluit, daemon ut ante fuit,

Forgetting in prosperity, shouting in adversity.

This expression describes human nature where people tend to forget those who helped them or ignore their responsibilities when they are wealthy and successful, but cry out for help and complain loudly when they face difficulties.

Vows to the gods last a thousand years.

This expression refers to the long-standing or eternal nature of commitments made to divine entities. It is used to describe tasks or obligations that take a very long time to fulfill, or to imply that divine justice or promises have no expiration date and must eventually be honored.

Prayers in times of danger, forgetting as soon as wealth arrives.

This proverb describes a fickle human tendency: people pray fervently and make many vows to God or seek help when they are in trouble, but as soon as they become prosperous or their problems are solved, they completely forget their promises and the help they received. It is used to critique ingratitude or situational devotion.

Be it calamities or wealth, they do not come alone.

This expression suggests that both misfortunes and fortunes tend to arrive in series or clusters rather than as isolated incidents. It is used to describe situations where multiple problems occur at once (misfortunes never come singly) or when a stroke of luck leads to multiple benefits.

Sweet words cause the back to be thrashed.

This proverb warns that sweet talk or flattery can often lead to trouble or physical punishment later. It is used to advise caution when someone is being overly complimentary or deceptive, as their words might lead one into a trap or a situation resulting in severe consequences.

A court/administrative office with no direction or authority.

This expression is used to describe a state of total chaos, lack of leadership, or a situation where there is no one in charge to take responsibility. It often refers to an organization or household that is neglected and functioning without any order or oversight.

If there is wealth, madness (delirium) follows.

This proverb suggests that excessive wealth often brings about pride, arrogance, and a loss of mental clarity, similar to a state of delirium. It is used to caution that becoming rich can change a person's character for the worse, making them act irrationally or haughtily.

As much wealth, so much danger.

This proverb suggests that the more wealth or possessions one acquires, the greater the associated risks, worries, or dangers. It is used to caution that prosperity often brings its own set of problems and vulnerabilities.