నలుగురు నడిచే దారిలో గడ్డిపోచైనా మొలవదు

naluguru nadiche darilo gaddipochaina molavadu

Translation

Even a blade of grass will not grow on a path walked by four (many) people.

Meaning

This expression signifies that constant use, movement, or activity in a particular place prevents any growth or change from taking root. It is often used to describe how popular systems or well-trodden paths stay clear and functional through sheer volume of use, or metaphorically, how constant scrutiny prevents secrets from growing.

Related Phrases

On a path walked by many, grass does not grow; even if it grows, it does not flourish.

This proverb signifies that when a task or a path is frequently used, tested, or handled by experts and the public, errors or 'weeds' are unlikely to persist. It is used to emphasize that well-trodden methods are reliable and that constant activity prevents decay or stagnation.

The path many walk is the road, the principle many speak is the ethics.

This proverb suggests that collective wisdom and common practice define what is right or acceptable in a society. It is used to emphasize following established traditions or conforming to the consensus of the community rather than acting in isolation.

Even moss doesn't grow on a path frequented by many people.

This proverb highlights that frequent use or constant activity prevents stagnation and decay. It is often used to emphasize that skills stay sharp with practice, or that a place that is well-maintained and busy remains clean and functional. It suggests that consistent action keeps things from withering away.

A person with two tongues

This expression is used to describe a hypocrite or a person who is deceitful. It refers to someone who says different things to different people or someone who goes back on their word (double-tongued).

The path walked by many is the safest.

This expression suggests that it is wiser and safer to follow a well-established method or tradition that has been tested by others rather than taking a risky, unknown path. It is used to advocate for conventional wisdom and proven practices.

The path walked by four (the majority) is the way; the word spoken by many is the truth.

This proverb emphasizes social consensus and the power of the majority. It suggests that a path becomes established only when many people follow it, and a statement gains the weight of truth or law when it is widely accepted by the community. It is used to describe following traditions or acknowledging public opinion.

When a tiger falls into a pit (or is weakened), everyone throws a stone at it.

This proverb describes a situation where when a powerful or influential person falls from grace or faces a downfall, even the common or weak people who were previously afraid of them will take the opportunity to criticize, mock, or attack them. It is used to illustrate how people react to someone's loss of power or misfortune.

Grass does not grow on a path that is walked upon

This expression means that constant practice, activity, or usage prevents stagnation or decay. Just as grass cannot grow on a busy trail, a skill that is regularly practiced will not be forgotten, and a house that is lived in will stay in good condition.

If a flood cloud forms in the east, not even a blade of grass will get wet.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to weather patterns. In certain regions of Andhra Pradesh, it is believed that clouds forming or moving from the east (during specific seasons) do not result in rain. It is used to describe situations that appear promising or threatening but result in no actual outcome or impact.

It doesn't matter which way the elephant goes, but he is lying down in the path where mosquitoes go.

This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores major, significant problems or opportunities (the elephant) and instead focuses all their attention on trivial, insignificant matters (the mosquitoes). It highlights a lack of priority and wasting effort on petty issues.