దుష్టచతుష్టయం

dushtachatushtayam

Translation

The wicked quartet

Meaning

This expression refers to a group of four evil or malicious individuals who collaborate to cause harm. Historically, it originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Duryodhana, Dushasana, Karna, and Shakuni. In modern usage, it is often used in political or social contexts to criticize a group of four people working together with bad intentions.

Related Phrases

One should stay away from the wicked.

This is a moral teaching suggesting that it is best to maintain a distance from evil or malicious people to avoid trouble and negative influence. It is used as advice to prioritize one's safety and peace of mind over trying to engage with or reform someone who has bad intentions.

Strength in the house, strength in the body

This expression refers to the interconnectedness of prosperity at home and physical health. It suggests that when a household is well-provisioned and abundant (nutritious food, wealth, peace), the individuals living there will naturally be healthy and robust. It is used to emphasize that one's physical well-being is often a reflection of their domestic stability.

One should stay far away from a wicked person

This expression is used as a piece of advice to avoid association with people of bad character. It suggests that interacting with malicious or evil-minded individuals will only lead to trouble, so maintaining physical and social distance is the best form of self-protection.

They say that upon seeing a wicked person, one should stay away.

This expression is used as a piece of advice to avoid any confrontation or interaction with malicious or evil-minded individuals. Instead of trying to reform them or argue with them, it is wiser to maintain a safe distance to protect one's own peace and well-being.

Among the fists, the fist of charity.

This expression is a play on words using 'Mushti' (which can mean both 'a fist' and 'begging/alms'). It highlights the ironic situation where someone who is already poor or a beggar themselves tries to help another beggar. It is used to describe an act of charity performed by those who have very little to give, emphasizing that even the smallest act of kindness from the poor is significant.

That profit and this loss are equal.

This proverb is used when the pleasure or satisfaction derived from an action is completely offset or negated by the resulting loss or trouble. It describes a break-even situation where the gain was not worth the cost, or where the damage done balances out the enjoyment felt.

Alms within alms, righteous alms

This expression refers to a situation where someone who is already in a state of seeking help or living on charity decides to share a portion of what they have received with someone even more needy. It signifies an act of extreme generosity or charity performed by a person who themselves has very little.

For cattle, what is eaten is strength; for a human, what one possesses is strength.

This proverb highlights the difference between physical needs and social security. While animals thrive purely on food, a human's well-being and status in society are determined by their wealth, assets, or family support. It is used to emphasize that material or social security is as vital for humans as nutrition is for animals.

Loss and hardship

This expression is used to describe a situation involving significant trouble, loss, and suffering. It is often used when someone explains the various difficulties or 'trials and tribulations' they have endured to achieve something or during a bad phase in life.

Like going to beg for alms and then complaining that it wasn't satisfying.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is receiving something for free or through charity, yet complains about the quality or quantity of what they received. It highlights the irony of a person in a dependent position showing ungratefulness or having unrealistic expectations.