బతికి చెడిన వారితో బంధుత్వం చేయవచ్చును గాని చెడి బ్రతికిన వారితో చేయరాదు

batiki chedina varito bandhutvam cheyavachchunu gani chedi bratikina varito cheyaradu

Translation

One can have a relationship with those who were once wealthy and became poor, but one should not with those who were poor and became wealthy.

Meaning

This proverb suggests that people who have fallen from a high status usually retain their values, culture, and humility. In contrast, those who suddenly gain wealth after being poor might become arrogant, boastful, or lack the character to handle their new status appropriately. It is a cautionary advice on choosing associations based on character and background rather than current financial standing.

Related Phrases

Does the one who rose from ruin have more courage, or does the one who fell from prosperity have more sorrows?

This proverb highlights the contrast between two life experiences: resilience and loss. It suggests that a person who has overcome failure (Chedi Brathikinavaadu) gains immense strength and bravery, whereas a person who has fallen from a high status (Brathiki Chedinavaadu) suffers from deep emotional pain and many hardships. It is often used to describe the psychological state of people based on their life's trajectory.

One should not jump with joy just because they survived a difficult time.

This proverb serves as a caution against overconfidence or complacency after escaping a danger. It implies that life is unpredictable, and just because you survived one crisis doesn't mean you are immune to future challenges; therefore, one should remain humble and cautious.

Look at the cheeks of one who rose from ruins, look at the clothes of one who fell from prosperity.

This proverb highlights how past circumstances leave a mark. A person who was once poor but became wealthy will have a healthy, glowing face (cheeks) due to current nourishment, yet their humble beginnings might still be reflected in their lifestyle. Conversely, a person who was once rich but is now poor will still try to maintain their dignity and status through their neat, albeit old, clothing.

No men die from the falling of a Pandili; no men live after the falling of a house.

This proverb is used to describe the nature of risks and consequences. It implies that minor accidents (like a canopy falling) are harmless, whereas major disasters (like a house collapsing) are inevitably fatal. It is often used to emphasize that one cannot escape the consequences of a truly large-scale problem, or to put minor issues into perspective.

Look at the hands of the woman who prospered after poverty, and the ears of the woman who fell into poverty after being rich.

This proverb highlights how past status leaves marks on a person. A woman who was once poor but became rich will have rough hands from previous hard labor. Conversely, a woman who was once wealthy but became poor will have stretched earlobes from years of wearing heavy gold jewelry. It is used to describe how one's history and background can be identified through subtle signs, regardless of their current situation.

No one has failed after farming under a lake, and no one has flourished solely by farming under a well.

This proverb highlights the reliability of water sources in agriculture. It suggests that farming near a large lake (abundant water) ensures success and prosperity, whereas relying on a small well (limited water) is much riskier and rarely leads to significant wealth.

A hand that does not give charity is like a tree that does not bear fruit.

This expression highlights the importance of generosity and social responsibility. It suggests that a person's life or wealth is useless if they do not help others, just as a fruit tree is considered pointless or unproductive if it fails to yield fruit. It is used to criticize stinginess and emphasize that true value lies in giving.

Even if your situation worsens, your sense/mind should not go bad.

This expression means that even when one falls on hard times or loses their status, they should not lose their integrity, common sense, or wisdom. It is used to encourage someone to stay principled and mentally strong during a crisis.

Look at the cheeks of one who rose from ruin, and look at the clothes of one who fell from prosperity.

This proverb highlights the physical and visible remnants of a person's past circumstances. Someone who was once poor but became wealthy often retains a healthy, glowing appearance (plump cheeks) from their new prosperity. Conversely, someone who was once wealthy but lost everything often tries to maintain their dignity by wearing their old, high-quality clothes, which are now worn out or reflect their former status.

A person who has lost their wealth but tries to live like before is like a tassel on a lid that keeps jumping.

This proverb describes people who have lost their fortune or status but continue to display excessive pride or arrogance. It compares them to a loose tassel on a pot lid that wobbles or jumps at the slightest movement, symbolizing their unstable and hollow vanity.