తలంత బలమున్నా, తల కొరివి పెట్టేవాడు లేడు
talanta balamunna, tala korivi pettevadu ledu
Even with strength the size of a mountain, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This proverb highlights a tragic situation where a person might have achieved great power, wealth, or physical strength during their lifetime, yet lacks a family member or a son to perform their funeral rites (specifically lighting the funeral pyre). It is used to describe the irony of being powerful in life but helpless and lonely in death.
Related Phrases
తల వెంట్రుకలంత బలగమున్నా తలకొరివి పెట్టే దిక్కులేదు
tala ventrukalanta balagamunna talakorivi pette dikkuledu
Even if one has relatives as numerous as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is surrounded by many relatives or supporters, yet none of them are reliable or available to help during a critical time of need or at the end of their life. It highlights the irony of having a large but useless circle of people.
కోటి పెట్టేవాడు కొడుకు, కూడు పెట్టేది కూతురు
koti pettevadu koduku, kudu pettedi kuturu
A son may provide a fortune (crore), but a daughter provides sustenance (food).
This traditional proverb highlights different roles and emotional support systems within a family. It suggests that while a son might bring financial wealth or inherit the family lineage, a daughter is often the one who provides care, nourishment, and emotional support to her parents in their old age.
నానా రుచులు మరిగి నాలుక మీద కొరివి పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
nana ruchulu marigi naluka mida korivi pettukunnattu
All kinds of savours run over my tongue, [and taste] just as if a firebrand was put on it. Said by a man to a wretched cook.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who has enjoyed many luxuries or pleasures finds it extremely difficult and painful to adjust to a life of hardship or poverty. It highlights the agony of losing a comfortable lifestyle.
కొరివితో తల గోక్కున్నట్లు.
korivito tala gokkunnatlu.
Scratching the head with the burning torch.
Doing something dangerous. One should avoid taking to dangerous paths to solve one’s problems, as they may lead to more troubles.
పేనుకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, తలంతా తెగకొరికి పెట్టిందట
penuku pettanamiste, talanta tegakoriki pettindata
If you give a louse authority, it will bite the entire head off.
This proverb describes a situation where an undeserving, petty, or small-minded person is given power or authority, and they end up abusing it to cause significant damage or nuisance. It is used to caution against putting incompetent or mean-spirited people in charge.
కుక్కకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, చెప్పులన్నీ కొరికి పెట్టినదట
kukkaku pettanamiste, cheppulanni koriki pettinadata
If you give authority to a dog, it will bite all the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power or responsibility to an incompetent, unworthy, or foolish person. Instead of performing the duties properly, such a person will only cause destruction or focus on their base instincts, similar to how a dog given authority over a house would simply ruin the footwear.
తలంత బలగమే గాని, తలలో పెట్టువారు లేరు.
talanta balagame gani, talalo pettuvaru leru.
A crowd as vast as the head, but no one to care for the head itself.
This proverb refers to a situation where a person has many relatives or followers (a large support system), yet none of them are helpful or available when the person actually needs personal care or assistance. It highlights the irony of having a large social circle that is useless in times of individual need.
తలక్రింది కొరివి
talakrindi korivi
A firebrand under the head
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a situation where one harbors something extremely risky or harmful. It is often used to describe keeping an untrustworthy person close or maintaining a habit that will eventually lead to one's own destruction.
తలకింది కొరివి
talakindi korivi
A brand under one's head.
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a source of perpetual anxiety that one keeps close by. It is used to describe a situation where a person maintains a relationship or makes a choice that poses a continuous threat to their own peace or safety, much like sleeping with a burning torch beneath one's head.
A dangerous companion.
తలవెంట్రుకలంత బలగం ఉన్నా తలకొరివి పెట్టేవాడు లేడు.
talaventrukalanta balagam unna talakorivi pettevadu ledu.
Even if one has a family as large as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person has many relatives or followers, yet none of them are reliable or willing to help during a critical time or in their final moments. It emphasizes the difference between quantity and quality of relationships.