ధైర్యంలేని రాజు, యోచనలేని మంత్రి

dhairyamleni raju, yochanaleni mantri

Translation

A king without courage, a minister without planning.

Meaning

This expression highlights the failure of leadership and administration. It describes a situation where those in power are ineffective because the leader lacks the bravery to take action and the advisor lacks the wisdom or foresight to provide proper guidance. It is used to describe a team or organization destined for failure due to incompetence at the top.

Related Phrases

A king without courage, a minister without judgment.

This proverb describes a failing or ineffective leadership system. It highlights that a leader who lacks the bravery to take risks or stand firm, paired with an advisor who lacks strategic thinking or foresight, will inevitably lead to the downfall of a kingdom or an organization.

Like a fart without a baby and a flood without rain.

This expression is used to describe something that is meaningless, lacks a logical source, or is a false alarm. It refers to situations where an effect is seen or heard without the expected cause, often implying that something is trivial, fake, or lacking substance.

There is no loss for a soldier without self-respect and a king without a mustache.

This proverb highlights the importance of honor and dignity. Just as a mustache was traditionally seen as a symbol of authority for a king, self-respect (rosham) is essential for a soldier. If they lack these qualities, they have nothing left to lose because they have already lost their status and dignity in the eyes of society.

Fortune favors the brave

This expression means that wealth and prosperity (Lakshmi) reside with those who possess courage and the willingness to take risks. It is used to encourage someone to be brave in the face of challenges, suggesting that success follows those who act boldly.

A festival without bustle is like music without rhythm.

This expression is used to describe a situation that lacks its essential characteristic or spark. Just as a festival feels incomplete without joy and crowds, and music is chaotic without a beat, an event or person lacking their core quality is considered dull and meaningless.

A field without fertilizer, a river without speed.

This proverb highlights that certain things are useless or ineffective without their essential qualities. Just as a field cannot yield good crops without fertilizer (nutrients), a river loses its purpose or identity if it has no flow or momentum. It is used to describe situations where a core component is missing, making the whole entity pointless.

The odor without children, the flood without rain.

This proverb is used to describe things that are unnatural, inexplicable, or lacking their primary cause. It refers to a situation where a result is seen without its source, often used to highlight something that feels incomplete, artificial, or suspicious.

A kingdom without a king, a village without a farmer/headman.

This proverb highlights the necessity of leadership and stewardship for stability. It implies that a kingdom without a ruler falls into chaos, and a village without a caretaker or cultivator cannot sustain itself or maintain order.

Without happiness, there is neither strength nor courage.

This expression emphasizes that true physical or mental strength and bravery stem from inner joy. It is used to suggest that a person's capability and resilience are diminished when they are unhappy or depressed.

An uneducated teacher gets an arrogant servant.

This proverb highlights that a leader's lack of competence or qualification often results in subordinates who lack discipline or respect. It is used to describe situations where the quality of leadership directly dictates the poor behavior or performance of those being managed.