సగం చచ్చి సంగీతం, అంతా చచ్చి హాన్యం

sagam chachchi sangitam, anta chachchi hanyam

Translation

Half dead is music, fully dead is harm.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the stages of exhaustion or effort. It implies that being halfway through a struggle or being partially exhausted might still yield something artistic or useful (like music), but pushing oneself or a situation to the point of complete destruction leads only to ruin or loss.

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.

One must live to see the city and die to see heaven

This proverb emphasizes that experiencing the world (represented by the city) and achieving spiritual salvation (represented by heaven) are the two ultimate goals of human existence. It is often used to encourage someone to travel, experience prosperity, or enjoy life's opportunities while they are still alive.

The music of a donkey, the beauty of a camel

This expression is used to mock a situation where two people with significant flaws or lack of talent start praising each other insincerely. It describes a mutual admiration society between those who are incompetent or unattractive, highlighting the absurdity of their mutual compliments.

The joint-husband was neglected and died.

This proverb describes a situation where a task or responsibility shared by many people ends up being neglected because everyone assumes someone else will take care of it. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Everybody's business is nobody's business.' It is used when collective responsibility leads to total failure.

The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled. ( French. )*

The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.

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.

When the daughter-in-law wore her deceased mother-in-law's saree because she died, the mother-in-law returned as a ghost to haunt her.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from another person's misfortune or death, only to find that the benefit brings unforeseen troubles or burdens. It highlights that ill-gotten gains or taking advantage of a situation can lead to haunting consequences.

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.

The sheep which was the joint property of two persons, was deserted and died.

This proverb highlights the lack of individual responsibility in shared tasks. When a sheep is owned by multiple people in partnership, everyone assumes someone else is looking after its health, leading to neglect and its eventual death. It is used to describe situations where communal property or joint projects fail because no one takes specific ownership or accountability.

The ass of many owners is eaten by wolves. (Spanish.)* Between two stools fall to the bottom.

Dying halfway for Puranas, dying completely for music.

This proverb is used to describe tasks or hobbies that are extremely exhausting, time-consuming, or require immense struggle to master. It suggests that learning ancient scriptures (Puranas) takes half of one's life/energy, but mastering music (Sangeetam) demands one's entire life and soul.