శాపాలకు చచ్చినవాడు, దీవెనలకు బ్రతికినవాడు లేరు.

shapalaku chachchinavadu, divenalaku bratikinavadu leru.

Translation

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

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

No one died because they were cursed, and no one lived forever because they were blessed.

This proverb emphasizes that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not have the power to change one's destiny or physical life. It is used to suggest that one shouldn't take verbal abuse too deeply to heart, nor should one rely solely on praise or blessings without personal effort.

No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )

This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.

* Van dreigen sterft man neit.

No one has failed after farming under a lake, and no one has flourished solely by farming under a well.

This proverb highlights the reliability of water sources in agriculture. It suggests that farming near a large lake (abundant water) ensures success and prosperity, whereas relying on a small well (limited water) is much riskier and rarely leads to significant wealth.

One who has gone for palm wine, one whose house is burning, and one who has gone to the toddy trees will not come even if their father dies.

This proverb describes people who are so deeply involved or stuck in specific situations that they cannot be reached or distracted by anything else, even a family tragedy. It highlights the behavior of those who are either too focused on their addictions (toddy/palm wine) or too overwhelmed by their own personal disasters (house burning) to fulfill social or family obligations.

The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

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.

Neither the one with a mansion survives forever, nor the one in a hut dies instantly.

This proverb emphasizes the equality of life and death, suggesting that wealth (a mansion) doesn't guarantee immortality, and poverty (a hut) doesn't mean immediate demise. It is used to remind people that fate and time are the ultimate deciders, regardless of one's social or economic status.

After living so long he died at the back of his house. A miserable end.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone achieves great things or survives long hardships, only to fail or suffer an ignominious end due to a trivial mistake or at the very last moment. It signifies an anti-climactic or disgraceful conclusion to an otherwise long or significant journey.

The blessings of children are the blessings of Lord Brahma.

This proverb highlights the innocence and purity of children. It suggests that since children are free from malice and greed, their words and blessings carry the same weight and divine power as those of the Creator (Lord Brahma). It is often used to emphasize the importance of kindness towards children.

The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.