పలువురు నడిచిన తెరువున పులుమొలువదు, మొలచెనేని పొదలదు

paluvuru nadichina teruvuna pulumoluvadu, molacheneni podaladu

Translation

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

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

Leaving the pond and catching the canal instead.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone abandons a stable, abundant, or primary source of resources (the pond) in favor of a temporary, narrow, or unreliable source (the canal). It highlights poor decision-making where one trades a greater benefit for a lesser one.

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.

Like sowing seeds for a crop but having weeds grow instead.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one puts in hard work or investment for a positive outcome, but gets an undesirable or useless result instead. It signifies unexpected disappointment or the irony of effort leading to a nuisance.

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.

You should not serve a Brahman or a white horse. There is no end to your labor.

This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or service roles are inherently difficult or unrewarding. Serving a white horse is considered difficult because any speck of dirt is easily visible, requiring constant cleaning. Similarly, the proverb historically implies that serving a scholarly or meticulous master (metaphorically represented by a Brahmin) requires excessive attention to detail and purity, making the work never-ending and difficult to satisfy.

One should not trust a Turaka (man) who has no house name, no hair on his head, and no thread around his waist.

This is an old proverb used to express skepticism towards individuals who lack traditional identifiers or social markers of accountability. It suggests that a person with no roots (house name), no identifiable features, or who doesn't follow local customs is difficult to hold responsible or trust. In modern usage, it serves as a metaphor for being cautious of people who lack transparency or have no stake in the local community.

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.

A nose ring given to a person with no nose, a seed sown that will not sprout.

This proverb is used to describe wasted effort or useless gifts. Just as a nose ring is pointless for someone who has lost their nose, and a dead seed will never grow regardless of how much it is tended to, some actions are fundamentally futile or given to those who cannot benefit from them.

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.

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.