తిన్నవాడే మన్నవాడు, మన్నవాడే మహారాజు.

tinnavade mannavadu, mannavade maharaju.

Translation

He that ate prospered, and he that prospered became a Ma- hârâja.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.

Related Phrases

The one who trusts the soil and plows it is the leader.

This proverb highlights the importance and dignity of agriculture. It suggests that the person who puts their faith in the land and works hard as a farmer is the true lord or a person of great stature. It is used to emphasize that prosperity and leadership come from basic hard work and nurturing the earth.

He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)

This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.

The one who ate food and the one who received kicks will never forget.

This proverb highlights that some experiences leave an indelible mark on a person's memory. It specifically refers to acts of extreme kindness (giving food to the hungry) and acts of extreme humiliation or physical pain (getting beaten). Both the person who was helped in their time of need and the person who was wronged/punished will remember those moments forever.

Even for a great king, only a trusted person must serve food.

This expression emphasizes the paramount importance of trust and loyalty. It suggests that regardless of one's power, wealth, or status, a person is ultimately vulnerable and must rely on those they trust for their basic needs and safety. It is often used to highlight that loyalty is a more valuable asset than authority.

The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].

This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.

Only the man who has deep affection/infatuation is a true husband.

This proverb emphasizes that a man's worth as a husband is defined by the love, care, and attraction he shows toward his wife, rather than just his title or authority. It is used to suggest that emotional devotion is the hallmark of a good spouse.

The cure that works is the medicine, and the one who heals is the doctor.

This proverb emphasizes results over reputation. It means that any remedy that successfully heals a disease is considered a true medicine, and anyone who successfully cures a patient is a true doctor, regardless of their formal titles or the simplicity of the treatment.

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.

The one who ate food and the one who received beatings will never forget.

This proverb highlights how human memory is deeply impacted by both kindness and suffering. A person will always remember the one who helped them during hunger (gratitude), just as someone will never forget the person who caused them physical or emotional pain (resentment).

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.