పుట్టడము చావడము కొరకే
puttadamu chavadamu korake
To be born is but for death.
This expression reflects a philosophical view on the cycle of life and death. It is used to remind others that death is an inevitable outcome of birth and that one should not be overly attached to worldly life or fear the end, as it is a natural law of existence.
Related Phrases
కోటి విద్యలూ కూటి కొరకే
koti vidyalu kuti korake
Ten million arts are only for [getting] food.
This proverb highlights that no matter how many skills, educational degrees, or talents a person possesses, the ultimate goal of all their efforts is to earn a livelihood and satisfy their basic need for food. It is used to remind people that every profession or skill has the same fundamental purpose: survival.
All professions are only so many means of livelihood.
దండు వెడదాము అంటే, పండు తిని వెడదాము అన్నట్టు
dandu vedadamu ante, pandu tini vedadamu annattu
When asked to go to war, one replied let's eat a fruit and then go.
This proverb describes a person who is lazy, hesitant, or makes excuses to delay an urgent or difficult task. It highlights the contrast between the seriousness of a situation (preparing for war) and a trivial or self-indulgent delay (eating a fruit).
నాదమంటే గంట, వాదముంటే తంట
nadamante ganta, vadamunte tanta
If it is sound, it is a bell; if it is an argument, it is a trouble.
This expression highlights the difference between pleasant sounds and unpleasant conflicts. It suggests that while ringing a bell produces a harmonious sound, engaging in unnecessary arguments or disputes only leads to problems and complications. It is used to advise someone to avoid bickering and maintain peace.
మెడ తడవడము పూసల కొరకే.
meda tadavadamu pusala korake.
Feeling the neck for beads. Said of a wheedling scoundrel.
This proverb describes a situation where someone shows affection or attention to a person only because they want something from them. It implies ulterior motives behind seemingly kind actions, much like someone touching a neck only to check or steal the jewelry on it.
పుంగనూరు సంస్థానం అంటే చాదస్తం కొరకే
punganuru samsthanam ante chadastam korake
Punganuru province means only for eccentricity
This expression is used to describe someone who is overly fastidious, obsessively traditional, or focuses unnecessarily on minute, trivial rules and rituals (Chadastham). It implies that a particular place or person is synonymous with being difficult or eccentric about petty matters.
కాశీకి పోవడము ఒకటి, కావడి తేవడము ఒకటి.
kashiki povadamu okati, kavadi tevadamu okati.
Going to Benares is one thing; bringing back a Kāvadi ( of Ganges water ) is another. Two great things to be done. Applied to keeping one great object in view.
This proverb is used to describe a long, arduous process or a project that involves two distinct, equally difficult stages. It implies that completing the first half of a journey or task is not enough; the return or the follow-through is just as critical and challenging. It emphasizes persistence and completeness in any undertaking.
సరసం విరసం కొరకే, ధర హెచ్చుట తగ్గుట కొరకే.
sarasam virasam korake, dhara hechchuta tagguta korake.
Joking is for the sake of discord; price increases are for the sake of decreases.
This proverb suggests that every state has an opposite cycle. Playful teasing or familiarity often leads to misunderstandings or conflict, just as market prices that rise will eventually fall. It is used to caution people to be moderate in their behavior and to understand that situations in life are temporary and cyclical.
చావ చావడు, మంచమూ వదలడు
chava chavadu, manchamu vadaladu
He would neither die nor give up his bed.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is stuck in a state of limbo, causing prolonged distress or inconvenience to others. It refers to a problem that doesn't get resolved but continues to linger, or a person who occupies a position without being productive, preventing others from taking over.
ఆలికి అన్నము పెట్టడం ఊరికి ఉపకారమా?
aliki annamu pettadam uriki upakarama?
Is feeding one's wife a benefit to the village ?
This proverb is used to criticize people who claim credit for fulfilling their basic, mandatory personal or family responsibilities as if they are doing a great service to society. It highlights that taking care of one's own household is a duty, not a public act of charity.
నాదముంటే గంట, వాదముంటే తంట
nadamunte ganta, vadamunte tanta
If there is sound, it is a bell; if there is an argument, it is a trouble.
This expression highlights that while sound (music/vibration) can be pleasant like a bell, engaging in unnecessary arguments or disputes only leads to problems and complications. It is used to advise people to avoid verbal conflicts and maintain peace.