కాలం పోతుంది మాట నిలుస్తుంది

kalam potundi mata nilustundi

Translation

Time passes away, but the word remains

Meaning

This expression emphasizes the permanence and importance of one's promises or speech. While time is fleeting and situations change, the words you speak—especially promises or insults—leave a lasting impact and are remembered long after the moment has passed. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their words or to honor their commitments.

Related Phrases

If a black beetle issues a command, will it stand?

This proverb is used to describe situations where a command or prohibition is issued by someone who lacks the authority, status, or power to enforce it. Just as a small beetle's 'prohibition' is ignored by others, the words of an insignificant or powerless person carry no weight in a society or a specific situation.

As long as hands and feet are working, time will pass.

This expression emphasizes the importance of physical health and self-reliance. It implies that as long as a person is physically capable and mobile, they can work, earn, and sustain themselves without depending on others.

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.

When wealth comes, strength comes; when wealth goes, strength goes.

This expression highlights the social reality that a person's influence, status, and perceived power are often directly tied to their financial standing. It is used to describe how people respect and follow someone when they are rich, but abandon or overlook them once they lose their fortune.

Water lies in the low ground.

This proverb suggests that opportunities, wealth, or help naturally gravitate toward those who are humble or those who have a genuine need. It is often used to imply that benefits flow to the deserving and well-prepared, or that good things settle where there is a receptive and grounded environment.

Truth will out at last.

If the nose doesn't stay when coughing, will it stay when sneezing?

This expression is used to describe a situation that is already fragile or failing under minor pressure, suggesting it will certainly collapse under greater stress. It implies that if someone cannot handle a small problem, they surely cannot handle a bigger one.

If a nose falls off just by blowing it, how long will it last?

This proverb is used to describe something that is extremely fragile, temporary, or unstable. It suggests that if a foundation or a situation is so weak that even a minor pressure causes it to fail, it is bound to collapse sooner or later.

In speech there is elegance, in speech there is power (a blow), and in speech there is directness.

This expression highlights the multifaceted power of words. It suggests that human speech can be used to convey sophistication (neetu), to deliver a sharp or stinging impact (potu), or to be honest and straightforward (sooti). It is often used to remind people that how we talk can charm, hurt, or clarify depending on the intent.

The time of the day passes, but the word spoken remains.

This proverb emphasizes the lasting impact of words compared to the temporary nature of time. While moments pass and hardships are forgotten, a promise made or a hurtful word spoken stays in people's memories forever. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their speech and to honor their commitments.

Time will go, an accusation will remain.

This expression emphasizes the permanence and importance of keeping one's promises. While time moves forward and situations change, the words you have spoken and the commitments you have made will be remembered and will define your character long after the moment has passed.