ఏనుగు బ్రతికినా వెయ్యి, చచ్చినా వెయ్యి
enugu bratikina veyyi, chachchina veyyi
An elephant is worth a thousand when alive, and worth a thousand even when dead.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of immense value, status, or reputation that remains significant regardless of their current state or circumstances. Just as an elephant provides labor while alive and valuable ivory/hides after death, a great person's legacy or a high-quality asset continues to command respect and value even after its prime.
Related Phrases
గడిచి బ్రతికినాము అని గంతులు వెయ్యరాదు.
gadichi bratikinamu ani gantulu veyyaradu.
Don't jump about saying you have got through [ your diffi- culties. ] Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.
This proverb warns against complacency or excessive celebration after narrowly escaping a problem. It suggests that while one might have overcome a current crisis, life is unpredictable, and one should remain humble and prepared for future challenges rather than being overconfident.
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.
పందిలి పడి చచ్చిన వారూ లేదు, ఇల్లు పడి బ్రతికిన వారూ లేరు.
pandili padi chachchina varu ledu, illu padi bratikina varu leru.
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.
ఒక ఊరికి వెయ్యి దోవలు.
oka uriki veyyi dovalu.
There are a thousand paths to one village.
This expression means that there are many ways to achieve a goal or solve a problem. It is used to suggest flexibility and that one shouldn't be discouraged if one particular method fails, as alternative approaches exist.
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.
వెర్రి వెయ్యి విధాలు
verri veyyi vidhalu
Madness takes a thousand forms.
Each person has his/her own types of odd behavior and thinks that that behavior quite normal. Honest criticism by well-meaning friends can help people in realizing the truth about themselves and take appropriate corrective measures.
ఒక ఊరికి వెయ్యి దొవలు
oka uriki veyyi dovalu
There are a thousand ways to a village. Every man in his way. There are more ways to the wood than one.
This expression is used to signify that there are many different ways or methods to achieve the same goal or reach the same destination. It encourages flexibility and emphasizes that one should not be discouraged if one particular path is blocked, as alternatives exist.
బిడ్డ వచ్చిన వేళ, గొడ్డు వచ్చిన వేళ.
bidda vachchina vela, goddu vachchina vela.
The time when a child arrives, and the time when cattle arrive.
This proverb highlights that certain arrival events, such as the birth of a child or the purchase/arrival of livestock, are seen as significant markers of fate. It is used to describe how the timing of these events is often associated with the subsequent prosperity or misfortunes that befall a family, suggesting that the 'auspiciousness' of their arrival time influences the household's future.
ఇన్నాళ్లు బ్రతికి ఇంటి వెనక చచ్చినట్టు.
innallu bratiki inti venaka chachchinattu.
After living so long he died at the back of his house. A miserable end.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone achieves great things or survives long hardships, only to fail or suffer an ignominious end due to a trivial mistake or at the very last moment. It signifies an anti-climactic or disgraceful conclusion to an otherwise long or significant journey.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.