శాస్తులవారి కొడుకు బ్రతికీ నిర్వాహకుడే, చచ్చీ నిర్వాహకుడే
shastulavari koduku bratiki nirvahakude, chachchi nirvahakude
The scholar's son is a manager/provider whether he is alive or dead.
This proverb describes someone whose presence or absence both serve a purpose, or whose actions result in an outcome regardless of the state of affairs. It is often used to describe situations where a person is so significant (or a situation so structured) that they cannot be ignored, or alternatively, to mock someone whose contribution is viewed through a lens of inevitability regardless of their actual effort.
Related Phrases
నిట్టాళ్ళ ఇల్లయినా నిర్వంశంగా ఉండరాదు
nittalla illayina nirvamshanga undaradu
Even if it is a house supported by poles, it should not be without a family lineage.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of family and descendants. It suggests that it is better to live in a humble, temporary shack filled with children and family than to live in a grand mansion that is empty or where the family line has ended. It highlights that the true wealth of a home is its people, not its structure.
ఏనుగు చచ్చినా బ్రతికినా వెయ్యివరహాలే
enugu chachchina bratikina veyyivarahale
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.
నిర్వాహకానికి నిమిషాలు చాలవుగాని, చెర్వాకమునకు క్షణం పట్టదు
nirvahakaniki nimishalu chalavugani, chervakamunaku kshanam pattadu
Minutes are not enough for administration (creation), but destruction does not take a second.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the effort required to build something and the ease with which it can be destroyed. It is used to caution people that while it takes a long time and hard work to manage, organize, or create something valuable, it can be ruined instantly by a single mistake or a mindless act.
నీరధికి నీరు మోసినట్లు
niradhiki niru mosinatlu
Like carrying water to the ocean
This expression is used to describe a redundant or futile effort where one provides something to someone who already possesses it in abundance. It is similar to the English idiom 'carrying coals to Newcastle'.
ఆశకు అంతులేదు, నిరాశకు చింతలేదు.
ashaku antuledu, nirashaku chintaledu.
Hope has no end, and hopelessness has no worry.
This proverb suggests that human desire or greed is limitless and can never be fully satisfied. On the contrary, once a person gives up all expectations (hopelessness), they attain a state of peace because there is no longer any anxiety or worry about the outcome.
శాపాలకు చచ్చినవాడు, దీవెనలకు బ్రతికినవాడు లేరు.
shapalaku chachchinavadu, divenalaku bratikinavadu leru.
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.
డబ్బుకు వచ్చిన చెయ్యే వరహాకు వస్తుంది.
dabbuku vachchina cheyye varahaku vastundi.
The hand that comes for a small coin (dabbu) will also come for a gold coin (varaha).
This proverb is used to warn that a person who starts with small dishonest acts or petty thefts will eventually gain the audacity to commit much larger crimes. It highlights how bad habits or greed escalate over time if not checked early.
డబ్బుకు వచ్చిన చెయ్యి వరహాకు వస్తుంది
dabbuku vachchina cheyyi varahaku vastundi
The hand which touches a Dabb, will touch a pagoda. A man who is dishonest in trifles will not be scrupulous in greater matters. He that will steal an egg will steal an ox.
This expression means that if someone develops a habit of stealing or greedily taking small amounts of money, they will eventually progress to committing much larger thefts. It is used as a warning that bad habits or petty crimes, if left unchecked, will inevitably lead to more serious consequences and greater greed.
ఇన్నాళ్లు బ్రతికి ఇంటి వెనక చచ్చినట్టు.
innallu bratiki inti venaka chachchinattu.
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.
శాస్త్రం అబద్ధం కావచ్చు కానీ, చచ్చేది నిజం.
shastram abaddham kavachchu kani, chachchedi nijam.
The scriptures might be false, but death is a certainty.
This proverb is used to highlight an undeniable truth or an inevitable outcome. While theories, predictions, or traditional rules (Shastras) might sometimes fail or be debated, certain physical realities like death are absolute. It is often used to remind someone to focus on practical, undeniable facts rather than getting lost in theoretical arguments.