బ్రతికిన బ్రతుకు చావులో తెలుస్తుంది
bratikina bratuku chavulo telustundi
The life one lived is known at the time of death.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's true character, reputation, and the impact of their life's work are only fully realized and judged by society after they pass away. It is often used to suggest that one's legacy is defined by how they are remembered by others when they are gone.
Related Phrases
పరువుదప్పిన బ్రతుకు రోత, సతికి చాలని పురుషుని బ్రతుకు రోత
paruvudappina bratuku rota, satiki chalani purushuni bratuku rota
A life without honor is disgusting; a life where a man cannot support his wife is disgusting.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of dignity and responsibility. It suggests that living without self-respect or social honor is loathsome. Additionally, it highlights the traditional social expectation that a man must be capable of providing for and protecting his wife, failing which his existence is seen as futile or disgraceful.
మెతుకుపోతే బ్రతుకు పోతుంది
metukupote bratuku potundi
If the grain of rice is lost, life is lost
This expression highlights the vital importance of food security and agriculture. It signifies that even a single grain of rice represents sustenance, and without food (the means of survival), one's very existence is at risk. It is often used to emphasize the value of hard work, the importance of not wasting food, or the critical nature of one's livelihood.
ఎల్లవారమ్మల బ్రతుకు తెల్లవారితే తెలుస్తుంది.
ellavarammala bratuku tellavarite telustundi.
When it dawns, we shall know whose mother is alive. Said by a man to his wife, at whose instigation he had agreed that they should kill his mother. The mothers of the pair slept together and the wife's mother was murdered instead of the husband's, with the latter's knowledge. The wife, having an inkling of the truth, endeavoured to per- suade her husband to go and see which of the two they had spared, and he replied as above.
This proverb implies that the true state or reality of a situation (or someone's life) is revealed when the light of day comes or when the time is right. It is used to suggest that secrets or hidden struggles cannot stay hidden forever and the truth will eventually come to light.
* Απλησιος πίθος.
బతికితే వైద్యుడు బతుకుతాడు, చస్తే బ్రాహ్మణుడు బతుకుతాడు
batikite vaidyudu batukutadu, chaste brahmanudu batukutadu
If the patient lives, the doctor survives; if the patient dies, the priest survives.
This proverb is a satirical take on professions that profit regardless of the outcome. It suggests that if a sick person recovers, the doctor earns money and fame, but if the person dies, the priest earns fees for performing the funeral rites. It is used to describe situations where certain parties benefit from both success and failure.
నీళ్లలో నిమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి, అడివిలో తుమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి.
nillalo nimmalu bratikinavi, adivilo tummalu bratikinavi.
Lime trees lived in the water, acacia trees lived in the jungle. Very common.
This proverb is used to describe how different people or things thrive in their natural or specific environments. It suggests that survival depends on being in the right place or situation suited to one's nature. It can also be used to indicate that despite hardships or varying conditions, everyone finds a way to exist in their own niche.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అరిటాకు బ్రతుకు వంటిది.
adadani bratuku aritaku bratuku vantidi.
A woman's life is like a banana leaf.
This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.
చితి చచ్చిన వానిని, చింత బ్రతికిన వానిని కాలుస్తుంది
chiti chachchina vanini, chinta bratikina vanini kalustundi
The pyre burns the dead, while worry burns the living.
This proverb highlights the destructive power of stress and constant worry (chinta). While a funeral pyre (chiti) only consumes a person after they have passed away, mental anxiety and grief consume a person while they are still alive, destroying their peace and health. It is used to advise someone against excessive worrying.
భార్య మాట బ్రతుకు బాట
bharya mata bratuku bata
Wife's word is the path to life.
This expression suggests that listening to a wife's advice leads to a stable, prosperous, and successful life. It highlights the importance of a spouse's wisdom in maintaining a happy household.
ఎల్లమ్మ బ్రతుకు తెల్లవారితే తెలుస్తుంది
ellamma bratuku tellavarite telustundi
Ellamma's life (or fate) will be known once the day breaks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true outcome or the reality of a person's condition will only be revealed after a period of time or once a specific event concludes. It implies that current appearances might be deceptive and the final truth will come to light eventually.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అల్ప బ్రతుకు
adadani bratuku alpa bratuku
A woman's life is a fragile/humble life
This is a traditional Telugu proverb often used to express the perceived vulnerability, hardships, or subordinate status women faced in social structures. It suggests that a woman's life is delicate or subject to many challenges. In modern contexts, it is sometimes used to reflect on the historical plight or difficulties specific to women's experiences.