శెట్టి చేసిన ధర్మాలు సత్రం రాయిలో తెలుస్తాయి
shetti chesina dharmalu satram rayilo telustayi
The charities done by a merchant are known by the stones of the choultry.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone claims to be extremely generous, but the tangible results or evidence of their charity (like the poor quality of a building they funded) reveal their true stinginess or self-interest. It refers to how one's true character eventually comes to light through their actions.
Related Phrases
బ్రతికిన బ్రతుకు చావులో తెలుస్తుంది
bratikina bratuku chavulo telustundi
The life one lived is known at the time of death.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's true character, reputation, and the impact of their life's work are only fully realized and judged by society after they pass away. It is often used to suggest that one's legacy is defined by how they are remembered by others when they are gone.
వానలెక్కడ అంటే దానధర్మాలున్న ధరణిలో అన్నట్లు
vanalekkada ante danadharmalunna dharanilo annatlu
When asked 'Where does it rain?', the reply was 'In the land where charity and righteousness exist'.
This proverb suggests that natural blessings and prosperity occur where people are generous and virtuous. It is used to highlight the belief that the well-being of a society is a direct result of the collective goodness and charitable nature of its people.
ఆడిది ధర్మాన అబ్బాయి పుడితే, ఏందోడి ధర్మాన కడియాలు దొరికినవి
adidi dharmana abbayi pudite, endodi dharmana kadiyalu dorikinavi
When a boy was born by the virtue of a dancer, the anklets were found by the virtue of a silver-smith.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's hard work or merit results in a success, but another person tries to take the credit for the associated benefits or accessories. It highlights the irony of misplaced gratitude or credit-seeking.
తనకు మాలిన ధర్మము, మొదలు చెడ్డ బేరము
tanaku malina dharmamu, modalu chedda beramu
To give that in charity which a man himself needs to receive from others is like trading after the loss of one's principal.
This proverb warns against excessive generosity or helping others at the cost of one's own basic needs or survival. It suggests that doing charity while neglecting your own family or self is foolish and unsustainable, much like a business transaction that results in the loss of the principal investment.
చచ్చిన తర్వాత తెలుస్తుంది శెట్టిగారి బండారము
chachchina tarvata telustundi shettigari bandaramu
After his death the state of the Śeṭṭi's affairs will be known. He is very close in his lifetime.
This proverb is used to describe a person who maintains a facade of wealth or virtue during their lifetime, but their true nature or financial instability is only exposed after they are gone. It highlights that secrets cannot be hidden forever.
నా పతివ్రతా ధర్మము నా మొదటి పెనిమిటికి తెలుసును.
na pativrata dharmamu na modati penimitiki telusunu.
My chastity is known to my first husband. Said by a widow who had passed herself off as a maid, and married again.
This is a sarcastic or ironic expression used to mock someone who is boasting about their integrity or loyalty when their past actions clearly prove otherwise. It highlights a contradiction where someone claims to be virtuous despite having a history of failure or betrayal. It is often used to expose hypocrisy.
తాను చేసిన పాపం తనువుతో, తల్లి చేసిన పాపం ధరణితో.
tanu chesina papam tanuvuto, talli chesina papam dharanito.
The sin committed by oneself stays with the body, the sin committed by the mother stays with the earth.
This proverb highlights the gravity and consequences of actions. It suggests that while an individual's personal mistakes or sins affect their own physical being or life journey, a mother's actions have a much broader, foundational impact on the lineage or the environment. It is often used to emphasize accountability and the lasting legacy of one's deeds.
మనుషులు పోయినా మాటలు నిలుస్తాయి.
manushulu poyina matalu nilustayi.
Even if people pass away, their words remain.
This proverb emphasizes the lasting impact of one's speech, promises, or reputation. While human life is temporary, the things a person says—whether they are promises, wisdom, or insults—continue to live on in the memories of others and impact the world long after the speaker is gone. It is used to advise someone to speak thoughtfully or to honor a deceased person's words.
చేసిన పాపాలకు పెట్టిన దీపాలకు సరి
chesina papalaku pettina dipalaku sari
The sins committed and the lamps lit are equal.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the bad deeds or mistakes someone has committed are roughly offset or balanced out by their attempts at atonement or good deeds. It is often used sarcastically to imply that someone's superficial rituals or minor good acts are just barely covering up their significant wrongdoings, or that the accounts of good and bad have been settled.
వడ్డించేవాడు మనవాడైతే, కడబంతిలో కూర్చున్నా భయం లేదు
vaddinchevadu manavadaite, kadabantilo kurchunna bhayam ledu
If the person serving the food is one of our own, there is no fear even if we sit in the last row.
This proverb signifies that if you have an influential person or a decision-maker on your side, you will get what you deserve (or more) regardless of your position or timing. It is often used to describe nepotism or the advantages of having powerful connections.