పాలివాడు చస్తే పారెడు మన్నెక్కున
palivadu chaste paredu mannekkuna
If a kinsman dies, will the soil increase by a shovelful?
This proverb is used to criticize pettiness or greed among relatives. It suggests that when a relative or neighbor dies, the amount of land or wealth one gains is insignificant compared to the loss of a person. It highlights that harboring enmity for trivial material gains is foolish.
Related Phrases
కాకి చస్తే లోకులు ఎన్నో ఏడుస్తారు, కానీ కొనివాడు చస్తే ఏడ్చేవాడుండడు
kaki chaste lokulu enno edustaru, kani konivadu chaste edchevadundadu
When a crow dies, many people cry (mockingly), but when a lonely or poor person dies, there is no one to weep.
This proverb highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society. It suggests that people often make a big fuss over trivial or common occurrences (like a crow's death) but remain indifferent to the genuine suffering or demise of an unfortunate, isolated individual who has no influence or wealth.
పగలు చస్తే వాటికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపము లేదు
pagalu chaste vatiki ledu, ratri chaste dipamu ledu
If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.
ఏమీ ఎరుగనివాడు ఏకాదశి నాడు చస్తే, అన్నీ తెలిసినవాడు అమావాస్య నాడు చచ్చాడట
emi eruganivadu ekadashi nadu chaste, anni telisinavadu amavasya nadu chachchadata
While the ignorant person died on Ekadashi, the all-knowing person died on Amavasya.
This proverb is used to highlight irony or the unpredictability of fate. In Hindu tradition, dying on Ekadashi is considered auspicious, while Amavasya is often viewed as inauspicious. It mocks situations where someone perceived as simple or foolish achieves a better result or status by chance than someone who is highly knowledgeable but remains unlucky.
ఆయుష్షు తీరినవాడు ఆరు నెలలకు చస్తే, అనుమానపడినవాడు అప్పుడే చస్తాడు.
ayushshu tirinavadu aru nelalaku chaste, anumanapadinavadu appude chastadu.
If the one whose lifespan is over dies in six months, the one who is suspicious dies instantly.
This proverb highlights that excessive suspicion or paranoia is more destructive than death itself. While a person destined to die will pass away in due time, a person consumed by doubt or fear suffers and 'dies' mentally every moment, losing their peace of mind immediately.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు.
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu.
If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu
If one dies during the day there is no wick, if one dies at night there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or a sequence of unfortunate timings where basic necessities are unavailable regardless of the situation. It is used to highlight a person's miserable condition where they lack resources for even essential rites or survival, no matter when or how the need arises.
అబ్బిగాడు చస్తే ఆ పంచె నాది.
abbigadu chaste a panche nadi.
If the boy dies, that cloth is mine. Want of feeling.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy or opportunistic, showing more interest in personal gain or inheriting property than in the well-being or life of another person. It highlights a callous attitude where someone waits for another's misfortune to benefit themselves.
చదివినవాడికన్న చాకలివాడు మేలు
chadivinavadikanna chakalivadu melu
A washerman is better than an educated person.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks common sense or practical wisdom despite being highly educated. It suggests that a simple, uneducated person (like a washerman) who performs their duties effectively and understands the practicalities of life is more valuable than a scholar who cannot apply their knowledge or lacks humility.
తక్కువవాడికి నిక్కెక్కువ, తవ్వెడు బియ్యానికి పొంగెక్కువ
takkuvavadiki nikkekkuva, tavvedu biyyaniki pongekkuva
A lowly person has more pride; a small measure of rice overflows more when boiled.
This proverb is used to criticize people with limited abilities or status who show excessive arrogance or vanity. It compares their behavior to a small pot of rice that foams over easily, suggesting that true greatness is humble while shallow people boast the most.
నేడు చస్తే రేపటికి రెండు.
nedu chaste repatiki rendu.
If you die to-day, to-morrow will be two. i. e. the second day, on which milk will be poured on his bones, accord- ing to custom, after his body has been burnt.
This proverb is used to highlight the transient nature of life and the rapid passage of time. It implies that once a person is gone, the world moves on quickly, and their death soon becomes a thing of the past. It is often used to counsel against over-thinking about the future or to emphasize that time waits for no one.