దారి తెలియని వాడు బాటసారి కాడు.

dari teliyani vadu batasari kadu.

Translation

One who does not know the way is not a traveler.

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that true progress or a journey requires a sense of direction or purpose. It is used to suggest that wandering without an aim or knowledge of the path does not make one a purposeful explorer or a successful person in their endeavors.

Related Phrases

Like worrying over a lost mustard seed while being unaware of the lost pumpkin.

This proverb describes a person who stresses over trivial, minor losses or details while completely ignoring a much larger, more significant problem or loss. It is used to point out a lack of perspective or misplaced priorities.

Shackles for the front legs

This expression is used to describe an action taken in advance to prevent someone or something from moving forward or causing trouble. It refers to the practice of tying the front legs of an animal to restrict its movement, figuratively implying a preemptive strike or a preventative measure to keep a situation under control.

To the one who knows, it is sesame flour; to the one who doesn't, it is oil-press waste.

This expression highlights how value and utility are perceived based on knowledge. Something that appears simple or useless to an ignorant person is recognized as valuable and beneficial by someone with expertise. It is used to describe situations where a person's skill or lack thereof determines their understanding of a task or object.

There is no one who knows everything, there is no one who knows nothing.

This expression emphasizes humility and the vastness of knowledge. It suggests that no single person is an absolute expert in every field, nor is anyone completely devoid of any knowledge or skills. It is used to remind people that everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to offer.

The depth is not known until one enters (the water).

This expression means that one cannot truly understand the complexity or difficulty of a situation until they are personally involved or have started the task. It is used to advise against making superficial judgments or to explain that practical experience is necessary to grasp the reality of a problem.

The one who does not know when to stop talking is a chatterbox.

This expression describes a person who lacks the social awareness or self-control to stop speaking. It is used to label someone as a 'vaderubothu' (gossip or windbag) who talks incessantly without considering the context, the listener's interest, or the appropriateness of the situation.

One does not realize the bad smell of one's own mouth.

This proverb is used to point out that people are often unaware of their own flaws, mistakes, or annoying habits, even though they are obvious to everyone else around them. It is similar to the English concept of 'being blind to one's own faults.'

Without eating you can't tell the taste; without going down [ into the water ] you can't know the depth. The proof of a pudding is in the eating.

This proverb emphasizes that practical experience is essential to truly understand or judge something. Just as you cannot judge a dish without tasting it or know the depth of a pond without stepping into it, you cannot understand the complexities or difficulties of a situation or task until you are personally involved in it.

There is no one who knows everything, and there is no one who knows nothing.

This proverb emphasizes that knowledge is vast and no single person can claim absolute mastery over all subjects. Similarly, every person, no matter how uneducated or simple, possesses some form of unique knowledge or skill. It is used to promote humility among the learned and respect for everyone's inherent wisdom.

A person whose nose and face are unknown.

This expression is used to describe a complete stranger or someone with whom one has no prior acquaintance or connection. It is often used when emphasizing that a person is totally anonymous or unknown to a particular circle or individual.