రాజు నీతి తప్పితే, నేల సారం తప్పుతుంది

raju niti tappite, nela saram tapputundi

Translation

If the king fails in righteousness, the land loses its fertility

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the impact of leadership on society. It suggests that when a leader lacks integrity or fails to govern justly, the entire region and its people suffer. In a modern context, it is used to describe how the lack of ethics in management or governance leads to the decline and ruin of an organization or a nation.

Related Phrases

Whatever work is neglected, eating is not forgotten.

This proverb highlights that regardless of one's struggles, difficulties, or busy schedule, the basic necessity of eating is unavoidable and essential for survival. It is often used to emphasize that humans must work to satisfy their hunger, or as a justification for taking a break to eat despite being in the middle of a crisis.

Even if the Brahmins miss (the predictions), the neem trees won't; even if the neem trees miss, the Eruvaka Purnima won't.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb highlighting the certainty of seasonal cycles. It suggests that while human predictions (astrology/almanacs) might fail, nature's signs (like neem trees flowering) and fixed seasonal festivals (like Eruvaka Purnima, which marks the start of the sowing season) are reliable indicators for farmers to begin their work.

If moderation is missed, well-being is lost.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of moderation in all aspects of life. It suggests that once a person exceeds limits—whether in food, speech, or behavior—the benefit or goodness associated with it disappears and leads to negative consequences.

If a step is missed, a lightning strike is avoided.

This expression is used to signify a narrow escape from a major disaster or a life-threatening situation. It suggests that a small change in timing or a slight physical shift saved someone from a great calamity.

Even if the word is missed, the rhyme should not be missed.

This expression is used to describe someone who prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearances over the actual substance or truth of a matter. It often refers to people who focus more on making their speech sound catchy or poetic rather than ensuring it is accurate or meaningful.

Age has passed, but the gracefulness has not.

This proverb is used to describe someone who continues to maintain their stylishness, vanity, or flirtatious behavior even as they grow old. It is often used in a slightly mocking or sarcastic way to suggest that someone's behavior no longer suits their age, or more literally, to remark that someone has aged but still retains their charm.

Whether you deviate from the truth or deviate from a prescribed diet, troubles are inevitable.

This proverb highlights the importance of integrity and discipline. It suggests that just as ignoring medical dietary restrictions leads to physical suffering, abandoning truth and honesty leads to moral and social consequences. In both cases, the person must face the resulting hardships.

Even if the word is missed, the rhyme must not be missed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.

A mother's shadow/influence cannot be escaped by the child.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Like mother, like daughter' or 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. It implies that a child (specifically a daughter) will naturally inherit the traits, character, and habits of her mother.

The age has passed, but the elegance/grace hasn't left.

This expression is used to describe someone who continues to maintain their stylish appearance, vanity, or graceful mannerisms even as they grow old. It suggests that while their youth is gone, their desire for beauty or their charming conduct remains unchanged.