జీవితమొక వ్యాధి, నిద్రావస్థ ఉపశమనము, మరణమే ఆరోగ్యము.

jivitamoka vyadhi, nidravastha upashamanamu, maraname arogyamu.

Translation

Life is a disease, sleep is a relief, and death is health.

Meaning

This is a philosophical expression reflecting a pessimistic or stoic view of existence. It suggests that living involves constant suffering (disease), sleep provides temporary respite from that pain, and death is the ultimate cure or state of perfect peace (health) where suffering finally ends.

Related Phrases

Swinging is healthier than sitting idle.

This proverb emphasizes that it is better to do even a small, seemingly trivial activity than to do nothing at all. It promotes the idea that staying active, even in a minor way, contributes to physical and mental well-being compared to complete laziness or inactivity.

Health is real wealth.

In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.

Like blessing oneself with long life and the other with good health.

This proverb describes a situation where a person creates a deal or an arrangement that appears mutual but is primarily self-serving. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be fair while ensuring they get the better or more fundamental part of the bargain.

A life without meaning is a waste.

This expression emphasizes that living without a sense of purpose, goals, or significance is futile. It is used to suggest that one should strive to make their life impactful or meaningful rather than just existing.

The money [in the box] and the soul [within the body] are made over to the spiritual guide, but the key and the body are retained by me. Applied to giving a person only the form of authority, but no real power.

This proverb is a humorous take on hypocritical devotion or selective surrender. It describes a person who claims to surrender everything valuable (like life and wealth) to a mentor or God for the sake of appearance, but in reality, keeps the physical control (the key to the chest) and their own comfort firmly in their own hands. It is used to mock people who act as if they are selfless but remain deeply possessive and untrusting.

Truth is the life of a word, honor is the life of a woman, and a signature is the life of a document.

This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.

Wealth and life are under the Guru's control; the key and the body are under my control.

This proverb satirically describes a person who pretends to surrender everything to a teacher or mentor but remains deeply attached to their physical comforts and material possessions. It is used to mock hypocritical devotion or someone who talks about sacrifice but keeps the most important resources for themselves.

A feast for the tiger is death for the cattle.

This proverb highlights a situation where one person's gain or pleasure results in another's suffering or loss. It is used to describe zero-sum games or exploitative situations where the benefit of the powerful inherently involves the destruction of the weak.

Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.

This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.

Let me have long life! let me have health!

This is a traditional benediction or self-blessing often recited during rituals or as a daily prayer. 'Ayushyam' refers to longevity, and 'Arogyam' refers to health. It is used to invoke divine blessings for a long, disease-free life.

A selfish man blessing himself. Priests bless themselves first. (German.)* * Pfaffen segnen sich zuerst.