చెడిన బ్రతికినవాడు చెప్పమీద కుచ్చువలె త్రుళ్ళిపడును.
chedina bratikinavadu cheppamida kuchchuvale trullipadunu.
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.
Related Phrases
చెడి బ్రతికిన వాని శౌర్యమెక్కున, బ్రతికి చెడినవానికి బాధలు ఎక్కున
chedi bratikina vani shauryamekkuna, bratiki chedinavaniki badhalu ekkuna
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.
ఏనుగు చచ్చినా బ్రతికినా వెయ్యివరహాలే
enugu chachchina bratikina veyyivarahale
An elephant is worth a thousand gold coins whether it is dead or alive.
This proverb is used to describe someone or something that possesses great value, prestige, or dignity regardless of their current circumstances or status. Just as an elephant's tusks and hide are valuable even after death, a great person's reputation or a valuable asset remains significant even when it is no longer functional or active.
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.
చెడి బ్రతికిన వాని చెంపలు చూడు, బ్రతికి చెడిన వాని బట్టలు చూడు
chedi bratikina vani chempalu chudu, bratiki chedina vani battalu chudu
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.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
బతికి చెడిన వారితో బంధుత్వం చేయవచ్చును గాని చెడి బ్రతికిన వారితో చేయరాదు
batiki chedina varito bandhutvam cheyavachchunu gani chedi bratikina varito cheyaradu
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.
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.
బావి కింద దున్ని బ్రతికినవాడు, చెరువు కింద దున్ని చెడిపోయినవాడు లేడు
bavi kinda dunni bratikinavadu, cheruvu kinda dunni chedipoyinavadu ledu
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.
కుచ్చెలక్రింద త్రాచువలె.
kuchchelakrinda trachuvale.
Like a cobra under the pleats (of a saree).
This expression describes a hidden, unexpected, and extremely dangerous threat. It is used to refer to a person who appears harmless or is in a close/intimate circle but is actually waiting for an opportunity to strike or cause harm.
మడి దున్ని మన్నినవాడు, చేను చేసి చెడినవాడు లేడు.
madi dunni manninavadu, chenu chesi chedinavadu ledu.
There is no one who lived by plowing the wet land or was ruined by working the farm field.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reliability of agriculture. It suggests that hard work in farming consistently provides a livelihood and never leads to a person's downfall. It is used to encourage people to trust in honest labor and the fertility of the land.
శాపాలకు చచ్చినవాడు, దీవెనలకు బ్రతికినవాడు లేరు.
shapalaku chachchinavadu, divenalaku bratikinavadu leru.
There is no one who died because of curses, nor anyone who lived because of blessings.
This proverb emphasizes that human life and destiny are governed by actions and natural laws rather than just the words of others. It suggests that mere words—whether malicious curses or benevolent blessings—do not have the power to change one's fate or physical reality. It is used to encourage people to ignore empty threats or not rely solely on praise.