మనుషులు పోయినా మాటలు నిలుస్తాయి.

manushulu poyina matalu nilustayi.

Translation

Even if people pass away, their words remain.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the lasting impact of one's speech, promises, or reputation. While human life is temporary, the things a person says—whether they are promises, wisdom, or insults—continue to live on in the memories of others and impact the world long after the speaker is gone. It is used to advise someone to speak thoughtfully or to honor a deceased person's words.

Related Phrases

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.

Even if people pass away, their words remain.

This expression emphasizes the lasting impact and legacy of a person's words, promises, or reputation. While human life is temporary, the things one says or the wisdom one shares endure long after they are gone. It is often used to remind someone to be mindful of their speech or to honor the memory and teachings of the deceased.

Men remain not, but words last.

This expression highlights the permanence of one's reputation and legacy. While human life is transient and people eventually pass away, the words they spoke, the promises they made, or the impact of their speech endure long after they are gone. It is often used to remind someone to speak wisely or to honor the memory/words of the deceased.

If virginity is lost, or if a given word is lost, life becomes a burden.

This expression emphasizes the extreme importance of integrity and keeping one's promises. In traditional contexts, it compares the loss of a person's reputation or honor (symbolized by broken promises) to the irreversible loss of virtue, suggesting that living without honor or credibility is a heavy burden.

Neither the potter cares if the cattle are lost, nor the stepmother cares if the children are lost.

This proverb describes extreme indifference or lack of empathy. It highlights situations where individuals are completely unconcerned about losses that do not directly affect their personal interests or emotional bonds. It is used to criticize someone's cold-heartedness or apathy towards the misfortune of others.

Do diseases come to trees rather than humans?

This rhetorical question is used to express that suffering, illness, or problems are an inevitable part of being human. It is typically said to comfort someone who is sick or facing a problem, implying that it is natural for humans to face such hardships.

A barber's hand is on everyone's head!

This proverb highlights that certain roles or situations make everyone equal, regardless of their social status, wealth, or power. Just as a king and a commoner must both bow their heads for a barber to cut their hair, there are certain universal truths or professionals whose services everyone requires, humbling them in the process.

Lies are better than backbiting.

This expression is used to suggest that it is better to hear something blunt or even incorrect rather than being given false promises or misleading information that is never fulfilled. It emphasizes the frustration of broken commitments.

Once the words are gone, bundles of wealth are of no use.

This proverb emphasizes that once a person has lost their ability to speak or has passed away, material wealth becomes meaningless. It is often used to highlight that good communication and relationships are more valuable than riches, or to suggest that some things cannot be fixed with money once the opportunity for dialogue is lost.

Time passes away, but the word remains

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.