ఆర్చేవా, తీర్చేవా, అక్కర వస్తే ములిగేవా.
archeva, tircheva, akkara vaste muligeva.
Would you comfort me, or remove my grief, or if necessary would you plunge [ into the water to save me ] ? Asking proofs of professed friendship. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
This expression is used to question or describe the reliability of a person or a resource. It refers to three types of help: one who consoles or calms a situation (archeva), one who actually solves the problem (tircheva), or one who fails or 'drowns' (muligeva) exactly when they are needed most. It is often used to critique someone who is useless or unreliable during a crisis.
Related Phrases
ఆర్చేవారేకాని తీర్చేవారు లేరు.
archevarekani tirchevaru leru.
There are people to console, but none to resolve the problem.
This expression is used to describe a situation where many people offer sympathy or words of comfort (crying along with you), but no one actually steps forward to provide a practical solution or financial help to end the trouble.
మానును చూచేవా, మానును పట్టిన భూతాన్ని చూచేవా?
manunu chucheva, manunu pattina bhutanni chucheva?
Will you look to the tree or the devil which has possessed the tree? You must pay respect even to a low fellow in power, because of his influence with those in authority.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is so overwhelmed by fear, obsession, or a specific problem that they fail to see the reality of the situation. It implies that a person is focusing on a perceived threat or an illusion rather than the actual object or facts in front of them.
ఆరితేరిన వారే గానీ తీర్చేవారు లేరు
ariterina vare gani tirchevaru leru
There are many who complain/shout, but none who solve the problem.
This expression is used to describe a situation where many people are ready to point out problems, criticize, or complain loudly, but nobody is willing to take responsibility or provide a constructive solution.
అర్జేవా, తీర్చేవా అడుగునపడితే లేవదీసేవా
arjeva, tircheva adugunapadite levadiseva
The earner and the spender have fallen; is there anyone to lift them up?
This proverb is used to highlight the interdependence between earning and spending in a household. It suggests that if both the breadwinner (the earner) and the one who manages expenses (the spender) are incapacitated or face ruin, the entire family structure collapses with no one left to restore balance.
అప్పు తీర్చేవాడికి, అపహరించేవాడికి పత్రం సంగతి అవసరంలేదు.
appu tirchevadiki, apaharinchevadiki patram sangati avasaramledu.
The one who intends to repay a debt and the one who intends to steal do not care about the legal document.
This proverb highlights that character matters more than documentation. A person with integrity will repay their debt regardless of whether there is a written agreement, while a dishonest person will find ways to evade or steal regardless of what is signed on paper. It is used to emphasize that trust is based on a person's nature rather than just formalities.
ఆర్చేవారే గాని, తీర్చేవారు లేరు
archevare gani, tirchevaru leru
There are comforters but no real helpers.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where many people offer sympathy or words of comfort (consolation), but no one actually steps forward to help solve the problem or clear the debt. It highlights the gap between verbal empathy and practical assistance.
ముదిమాను చేవ
mudimanu cheva
An old tree has a firm core. A brave heart in a weak body.
This expression refers to the inherent strength, wisdom, or resilience that comes with age and experience. Just as an old tree has a strong, dense core (heartwood), an elderly or experienced person possesses deep-rooted knowledge and character that youngsters might lack. It is used to praise the sturdiness or capability of someone despite their old age.
ఆరితేరేవాడు, తీర్చేవాడు, అక్కరకు వచ్చేవాడు మునిగేవాడు
ariterevadu, tirchevadu, akkaraku vachchevadu munigevadu
One who is an expert, one who resolves, and one who is useful is the one who eventually drowns.
This expression suggests that those who are most capable, helpful, or involved in solving problems are often the ones who end up bearing the brunt of the consequences or finding themselves in trouble. It is similar to the idea that the most skilled swimmer is the one most likely to drown because they take the most risks.
విస్తరి కొదవ, సంసారపు కొదవ తీర్చేవారెవరు?
vistari kodava, samsarapu kodava tirchevarevaru?
Who can fill the deficiency of a leaf-plate or the deficiency of a family life?
This proverb highlights that personal needs and family responsibilities are endless and subjective. Just as one can always find a reason to say their meal plate (vistari) isn't full enough, family problems (samsaram) are continuous and internal; no outsider can truly resolve or fully satisfy these perennial lacks.
ఆర్చేవారు లేరు తీర్చేవారు లేరు అడుగున పడితే లేవదీసేవారు లేరు
archevaru leru tirchevaru leru aduguna padite levadisevaru leru
There is no one to soothe, no one to resolve, and no one to lift you up if you fall to the bottom.
This expression describes a state of total helplessness and isolation. It is used when someone has no family, friends, or support system to offer comfort in grief, solve their problems, or help them recover from a downfall or financial crisis.