ధైర్యం లేని రాజు, యోచన లేని మంత్రి
dhairyam leni raju, yochana leni mantri
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.
Related Phrases
జీతములేని నౌకరు, కోపములేని దొర.
jitamuleni naukaru, kopamuleni dora.
[Where] the servant [is] without pay the master [must be] without anger.
This proverb highlights a situation that is ideal but often unrealistic or ineffective. It suggests that a servant working for free and a boss who never gets angry are both rarities that may lack the necessary discipline or structure required for a formal relationship. It can also imply that certain roles require specific traits to be functional.
నాదం లేని గంట, నాము లేని పంట.
nadam leni ganta, namu leni panta.
A bell without sound, a crop without grain.
This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.
ధైర్యే సాహసే లక్ష్మి
dhairye sahase lakshmi
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.
వెలలేని మాణిక్యము
velaleni manikyamu
A ruby without price. Said of anything of inestimable value.
This expression is used to describe something or someone of extraordinary value, uniqueness, or virtue that cannot be measured in monetary terms. It is often used to praise a person's character, a rare talent, or a precious relationship.
చెట్టులేని చేను, చుట్టములేని ఊరు
chettuleni chenu, chuttamuleni uru
A farm without a tree, a village without a relative
This proverb highlights the feeling of isolation and lack of support. Just as a farm without a tree offers no shade or respite for a farmer, a village where one has no relatives or friends offers no emotional support or belonging. It is used to describe situations where one feels lonely or lacks a support system in a particular place.
పిల్లలేని కంపు, వానలేని వరద
pillaleni kampu, vanaleni varada
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.
రాజులేని రాజ్యం, కాపులేని గ్రామం.
rajuleni rajyam, kapuleni gramam.
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.
ధైర్యంలేని రాజు, యోచనలేని మంత్రి
dhairyamleni raju, yochanaleni mantri
A king without courage, a minister without planning.
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.
వాక్చాతుర్యములేని వేశ్య, గుణకారములేని లెక్క
vakchaturyamuleni veshya, gunakaramuleni lekka
A prostitute without eloquence is like a calculation without multiplication.
This proverb highlights that certain professions or tasks require specific core skills to be effective. Just as a mathematical problem cannot be solved without multiplication (logic/process), a person in a social or persuasive role is ineffective without the art of speech (eloquence). It is used to describe situations where a fundamental element is missing, rendering the whole effort useless.
ఏకులులేని రాటము మొగుడులేని పోరాటము
ekululeni ratamu moguduleni poratamu
A spinning wheel without cotton rolls is like a struggle without a husband.
This proverb highlights the futility or lack of purpose in certain situations. Just as a spinning wheel (raatamu) is useless without cotton slivers (eekulu) to spin, a domestic conflict or struggle (poratamu) in a household lacks traditional resolution or foundation in the absence of the husband (the head of the household in the historical context of the saying). It is used to describe a situation that is incomplete, ineffective, or leading nowhere.