పులి చచ్చినా పొడలు మాయవు

puli chachchina podalu mayavu

Translation

Even if the tiger dies, its spots (stripes) do not disappear.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or character. It implies that a person's fundamental qualities, reputation, or past actions remain associated with them even after they are gone or have lost their power. It is often used to suggest that one cannot easily change their true identity or that a legacy (good or bad) persists.

Related Phrases

The reputation gained will not leave even after death

This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.

A brother-in-law who is not there when needed is the same whether he is dead or alive.

This proverb is used to describe someone who fails to offer help during a critical time or a crisis. It implies that if a person (especially a relative who is expected to support you) is unavailable when most needed, their existence or relationship becomes irrelevant to the sufferer.

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.

If the house be burnt or the goodwife die, there will cer- tainly be lamentations.

This expression is used to describe a person who is habitually prone to complaining or creating a ruckus regardless of the circumstances. It suggests that for some people, misery or noisy behavior is a constant trait that doesn't change even in the face of significant disasters or personal loss.

Like a Fever Nut bush

This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely difficult to deal with, prickly, or tangled. The Fever Nut bush (Caesalpinia bonduc) is known for being densely covered in sharp thorns, making it impossible to touch or navigate without getting hurt. It is often applied to people with a very irritable or 'thorny' temperament.

Even if the child dies, the smell of feces does not go away.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even after a problem or a source of trouble is gone, its lingering negative effects, bad reputation, or consequences continue to haunt or persist. It implies that the aftermath of an unpleasant event can be just as difficult to deal with as the event itself.

Six months after the death of the mother-in-law, tears came into the eyes of the daughter-in-law.

This proverb describes a situation where a person shows a delayed, insincere, or hypocritical emotional reaction. It is used to mock someone who pretends to care about a loss or an event long after it happened, or when their reaction is clearly performative rather than genuine.

The body accustomed to sumptuous living was distressed for want of food. Applied to a man whose malpractices have been put a stop to, but who is eagerly seeking an opportunity of renewing them.

This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.

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.

Even if the mother dies, it is enough if the maternal uncle is there.

In Telugu culture, the maternal uncle (menamama) holds a position of great responsibility and affection, often seen as a protective surrogate for the mother. This proverb emphasizes that even in the absence of a mother, a maternal uncle can provide the necessary support, guidance, and security to a child.