ఓడలు బండ్లు అవ్వచ్చు, బండ్లు ఓడలు అవ్వచ్చు

odalu bandlu avvachchu, bandlu odalu avvachchu

Translation

Ships can become carts, and carts can become ships.

Meaning

This proverb signifies the unpredictable nature of fortune and time. It means that a wealthy person can become poor and a poor person can become wealthy; nothing in life is permanent. It is used to advise humility during success and hope during adversity.

Related Phrases

Ships become carts, and carts become ships.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable and cyclical nature of life and fortune. It signifies that someone who is wealthy or powerful today might face hardship tomorrow, and vice versa. It is used to advise humility during success and hope during failure, reminding us that time can change anyone's circumstances.

Will the hailstones that come with the rain stay forever?

This proverb is used to describe things or people that arrive with a lot of noise or force but are short-lived. Just as hailstones melt quickly despite their sudden impact during a storm, certain problems, displays of anger, or boastful people do not last long.

While the one with dirty teeth brought it, the one with golden teeth ate it.

This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or struggles to earn something, but a more privileged or lucky person enjoys the benefits or rewards. It highlights the irony of labor versus enjoyment.

If you have support, you can cross mountains.

This proverb emphasizes the power of having backing or support (financial, social, or emotional). It suggests that with the right assistance or a strong foundation, one can overcome even the most formidable obstacles that would be impossible to tackle alone.

To a man whose wife has died, she is like gold.

This proverb is used to describe how people tend to appreciate the value of someone or something only after they are lost. It highlights the human tendency to ignore virtues during a person's lifetime but praise them excessively once they are gone.

Ships come on carts; carts come on ships. When ships are broken up, the pieces are carried on carts. Good and ill fortune follow each other.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fortune. Just as tides turn, a wealthy person (represented by ships) might lose everything and become poor (represented by carts), or a person in humble circumstances might rise to great power and wealth. It is used to advise humility during success and hope during hardship.

The people of ten villages cannot overcome men who won't open their mouths.

This proverb highlights that silence is an impenetrable defense. When someone refuses to engage, respond, or react to provocations and arguments, it is impossible to defeat or influence them through debate. It suggests that silence can be a powerful tool in conflicts, as an opponent has no words to twist or use against you.

He brought fetters for his own legs. He brings a staff to brak his ain head. (Scotch.)

This expression describes a situation where a person, through their own actions or decisions, creates obstacles or restrictions for themselves. It is used when someone's self-inflicted complications lead to their own downfall or lack of freedom.

The time the daughter-in-law arrived, the time the young bulls arrived.

This proverb is used to comment on coincidences, specifically when a new arrival in a family (like a daughter-in-law) is blamed or credited for significant events (like the birth of livestock or changes in fortune) that happen shortly after. It highlights how people often link luck or misfortune to a person's entry into the household.

If there is support, mountains can be crossed.

This proverb emphasizes the power of support and encouragement. It suggests that even the most daunting tasks or 'mountainous' challenges can be overcome if one has the backing of a strong mentor, family, or resource.