ధనం మాట్లాడుతుంటే సత్యం ఊరకుండిపోవును.

dhanam matladutunte satyam urakundipovunu.

Translation

When money speaks, truth remains silent.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe situations where corruption, wealth, or financial influence overpowers honesty and justice. It suggests that in the presence of bribes or material gain, people often ignore the truth or fail to speak up for what is right.

Related Phrases

The influence earned by a lie lasts only until the truth is revealed.

This expression emphasizes that any reputation, fame, or advantage gained through falsehoods or deceit is temporary. It serves as a warning that once the truth eventually comes out, the false foundation will crumble, and the ill-gotten influence will vanish.

Time passes away, but the word remains.

This proverb emphasizes the lasting impact of one's words. While time inevitably moves forward and situations change, the promises made or the words spoken (whether kind or hurtful) stay in people's memories and hold permanent value or consequences.

Dietary discipline should not be spoiled, truth should not be failed.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline in health and integrity in character. It suggests that just as one must strictly follow a prescribed diet (Pathyam) for physical recovery, one must strictly adhere to the truth for moral well-being. Both are essential for a healthy life.

Time passes, but the word remains.

This expression emphasizes the lasting impact of one's words compared to the fleeting nature of time. It is used to remind someone to be careful with their speech or promises, as people will remember what was said long after the moment has passed.

Words come while speaking; hair comes while shaving.

This expression suggests that fluency and skill come with practice. Just as hair falls away effortlessly during the act of shaving, ideas and words flow more freely once you actually start the process of speaking or working. It is often used to encourage someone to start a task rather than overthinking it.

Diet for medicine, truth for words

This expression emphasizes that just as dietary restrictions (pathyam) are essential for medicine to be effective, honesty and truthfulness are essential for words to have value and credibility. It is used to highlight the importance of integrity in communication.

Don't we know our own god's truth?

This expression is used when someone tries to explain or hide facts about a person or situation that you already know very well. It highlights that one is already intimately familiar with the reality or the flaws of the subject in question, making external explanations unnecessary.

Diet for medicine, truth for speech

Just as a medicine is only effective when a strict diet (pathyam) is followed, speech only gains value and effectiveness when it is truthful. It emphasizes that integrity is as essential to character as discipline is to health.

Truth is victory, falsehood is fear

This expression emphasizes that truth always triumphs in the end, providing strength and confidence, whereas lies lead to constant anxiety and the fear of being caught. It is used to encourage honesty as a path to a fearless life.

As the mouth speaks, the forehead mocks.

This expression describes a situation where someone's words and their non-verbal cues (or true intentions) are contradictory. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of sincerity, suggesting that while the person is saying something pleasant or formal, their facial expressions or inner attitude betray their real, often negative, feelings.