కులనాశకుడైన కొడుకు దీర్ఘాయువైన నేమి లేకున్న నేమి.

kulanashakudaina koduku dirghayuvaina nemi lekunna nemi.

Translation

What does it matter if a son who ruins his family name lives long or not?

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that quality of character is more important than longevity. If a person brings disgrace or ruin to their family line, their presence is considered worthless to the lineage, regardless of how long they live.

Related Phrases

One should either be a courageous person or a humble person.

This expression suggests that in life, to survive or succeed, one must possess either the strength and courage (Dheerudu) to face challenges head-on or the humility and submissiveness (Deenudu) to seek help and stay protected. It implies that being stuck in the middle with an ego but no strength is a recipe for failure. It is often used to advise someone on the attitude they should adopt depending on their circumstances.

There is no morality without profanity.

This expression suggests that to truly understand or highlight what is moral and righteous, one must also acknowledge or encounter the base, crude, or immoral aspects of life. It implies that wisdom often comes from experiencing or witnessing the 'raw' realities of the world, or that strict moral lessons often stem from instances of bad behavior.

What is it to the crows if the Nemmi trees, which they don't like, grow or blossom ? Nemmi chettu is the Dalbergia Oojeinensis.

This proverb describes a situation where something exists or flourishes but is of no benefit to the people who need it or are around it. It is used when discussing resources, talents, or wealth that are practically useless to the community or individuals concerned, making their existence irrelevant.

What does it matter if a blind eye is large or small?

This proverb is used to indicate that if something is fundamentally useless or non-functional, its appearance, size, or secondary attributes are irrelevant. It suggests that when the core purpose of an object or a person's skill is missing, worrying about aesthetic details or minor variations is a waste of time.

What does it matter to a blind eye whether it is day or night?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is unable to perceive, appreciate, or benefit from something regardless of how favorable the conditions are. It suggests that for someone lacking the necessary capacity, sense, or knowledge, external changes are irrelevant. It is often applied to people who are indifferent to opportunities or those who cannot distinguish between good and bad due to ignorance.

Either a widow's son or a king's son is needed.

This proverb highlights the importance of having influence or survival skills to navigate the world. A king's son has power and resources through his status, while a widow's son is often perceived as someone who has grown up tough, resourceful, and street-smart out of necessity. It implies that to succeed or get things done, one needs either authority or grit.

What does it matter if a soldier who cannot strike holds a spear or a ladle?

This proverb highlights that for someone who lacks skill, courage, or the will to work, the quality of the tools they possess is irrelevant. It is used to mock incompetent people who blame their equipment or circumstances instead of their own inability to perform a task.

What if it is sharp when the time is not right?

This expression emphasizes that resources, skills, or opportunities are useless if they are not available at the right moment. It is used to point out that timing is more important than quality or preparation in specific critical situations.

One must either be the son of a king or the brother of a courtesan.

This proverb refers to the privilege of living a life of leisure and luxury without manual labor. It suggests that such a comfortable lifestyle is typically reserved for those born into royalty (power/wealth) or those who live off the earnings and influence of someone highly sought after (historically referring to the status of a 'Sani' or courtesan's family members who were often pampered). It is used to describe someone who enjoys benefits without working for them.

A spoonful of a sacred cow's milk is enough; what is the use of a potful of donkey's milk?

Quality is far more important than quantity. A small amount of something virtuous or valuable is much better than a vast amount of something useless or inferior. This proverb is often used to emphasize that one good person or one wise word is better than a crowd of fools or a long, meaningless speech.