పందిలి పడి చచ్చిన వారూ లేదు, ఇల్లు పడి బ్రతికిన వారూ లేరు.

pandili padi chachchina varu ledu, illu padi bratikina varu leru.

Translation

No men die from the falling of a Pandili; no men live after the falling of a house.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe the nature of risks and consequences. It implies that minor accidents (like a canopy falling) are harmless, whereas major disasters (like a house collapsing) are inevitably fatal. It is often used to emphasize that one cannot escape the consequences of a truly large-scale problem, or to put minor issues into perspective.

Related Phrases

An elephant is worth a thousand gold coins whether it is dead or alive.

This proverb is used to describe someone or something that possesses great value, prestige, or dignity regardless of their current circumstances or status. Just as an elephant's tusks and hide are valuable even after death, a great person's reputation or a valuable asset remains significant even when it is no longer functional or active.

The ox died, but the branding mark was well-placed.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort or a specific procedure was carried out perfectly, yet the ultimate goal or subject was lost. It highlights a bittersweet or ironic scenario where the operation was a success, but the patient died. It is often used to mock someone who focuses on technical perfection while failing to achieve the actual purpose.

An elephant is worth a thousand when alive, and worth a thousand even when dead.

This expression is used to describe someone or something of immense value, status, or reputation that remains significant regardless of their current state or circumstances. Just as an elephant provides labor while alive and valuable ivory/hides after death, a great person's legacy or a high-quality asset continues to command respect and value even after its prime.

Everyone is mine, but no one invited me for a meal.

This proverb describes a situation where one has many relatives or acquaintances who claim to be close, yet none of them offer genuine help or hospitality when it is actually needed. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of people who show affection in words but fail to act during times of need.

Who has survived forever (after passing away)?

This expression is used to remind others of the inevitability of death. It suggests that since no one lives forever, one should focus on living a meaningful life or doing good deeds while they are still alive, rather than worrying excessively about the end.

The pyre burns the dead, while worry burns the living.

This proverb highlights the destructive power of stress and constant worry (chinta). While a funeral pyre (chiti) only consumes a person after they have passed away, mental anxiety and grief consume a person while they are still alive, destroying their peace and health. It is used to advise someone against excessive worrying.

There is no one who died because of curses, nor anyone who lived because of blessings.

This proverb emphasizes that human life and destiny are governed by actions and natural laws rather than just the words of others. It suggests that mere words—whether malicious curses or benevolent blessings—do not have the power to change one's fate or physical reality. It is used to encourage people to ignore empty threats or not rely solely on praise.

No one has died from a thatched awning falling, and no one has survived a house falling.

This proverb highlights the difference between minor and major calamities. It implies that people usually survive small setbacks (the awning), but a total collapse or major disaster (the house) is rarely something one can recover from. It is often used to emphasize the severity of a situation or the scale of risk involved.

Calumny is not removed even by death.

This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.

Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.

There is no one to soothe, no one to resolve, and no one to lift you up if you fall to the bottom.

This expression describes a state of total helplessness and isolation. It is used when someone has no family, friends, or support system to offer comfort in grief, solve their problems, or help them recover from a downfall or financial crisis.