నలుగురు నడిచేది దారి, పదుగురు చెప్పేది నీతి.
naluguru nadichedi dari, paduguru cheppedi niti.
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.
Related Phrases
నలుగురు నడిచే దారిలో గడ్డిపోచైనా మొలవదు
naluguru nadiche darilo gaddipochaina molavadu
Even a blade of grass will not grow on a path walked by four (many) people.
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.
నలుగురు నవ్వినట్లే ఉంది, నా మాట కుదిరినట్లే ఉంది.
naluguru navvinatle undi, na mata kudirinatle undi.
It is like four people laughed, and it is like my word is fulfilled.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone's advice or prediction was ignored, leading to a public failure or an embarrassing outcome. It highlights the irony of being 'proven right' only after a disaster has occurred, where the 'satisfaction' of being right is overshadowed by the mockery or laughter of the crowd.
నిజము చెప్పేది పసిబిడ్డలు, తప్పతాగినవాళ్ళు
nijamu cheppedi pasibiddalu, tappataginavallu
Those who speak the truth are young children and drunkards
This expression suggests that innocent children and people under the influence of alcohol lack the filters or inhibitions to lie. It is used to imply that truth often comes from the most unlikely or unfiltered sources.
చెప్పేది చెవి దగ్గర, వినేది రోటి దగ్గర
cheppedi chevi daggara, vinedi roti daggara
The advice is given at the ear, but it is heard at the mortar.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is told something important or confidential, but they are distracted or completely ignoring the advice. It signifies that the listener is not paying attention, similar to someone leaning towards a grinding stone (mortar) while someone else is trying to whisper in their ear.
కాటేసేది చెరుకు, పట్టేది హనుమంతుడు
katesedi cheruku, pattedi hanumantudu
The one who bites is the sugarcane, the one who catches it is Hanuman.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a difficult task but the credit or the consequence goes to someone else, or when expectations are mismatched with reality. It is often a humorous take on misattribution or the peculiar nature of a task.
నలుగురు నడిచే దారిలో నాచు కూడా మొలవదు
naluguru nadiche darilo nachu kuda molavadu
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.
కులికేది కోడలు, అరిచేది అత్త
kulikedi kodalu, arichedi atta
The daughter-in-law flaunts herself, while the mother-in-law shouts.
This proverb describes a domestic dynamic where one person (often the daughter-in-law) enjoys a relaxed or stylish lifestyle, while another person (the mother-in-law) is left with the stress, frustration, or the burden of managing things, often leading to constant complaining or yelling. It is used to highlight situations where one person's comfort causes another's irritation.
పలువురు నడిచిన తెరువే పదిలమైనది
paluvuru nadichina teruve padilamainadi
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.
నలుగురు నడిచిందే బాట, పలువురు పలికిందే మాట
naluguru nadichinde bata, paluvuru palikinde mata
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.
పులి ఎత్తుబడితే, నలుగురు నాలుగు రాళ్ళు వేస్తారు
puli ettubadite, naluguru nalugu rallu vestaru
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.