Wife

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being dominated, harassed, or subjected to extreme pressure and suffering by someone close to them. It typically refers to a person (often a spouse) making life very difficult for the other by exerting control or creating constant trouble.

This proverb describes the behavior of people or things when they are in an unfavorable state. Just as a rope cot tightens up and becomes difficult to manage when it gets wet, a wife who is upset or offended becomes stubborn, unyielding, and difficult to reconcile with. It is used to remark on the uncooperative nature of someone who is sulking.

This expression emphasizes the unique value, virtue, and status of a devoted wife (kulakanta) within a household. It suggests that external attractions or other women can never replace the dignity, loyalty, and companionship provided by a lawful spouse.

This proverb is used to highlight that certain things have inherent limitations and can never replace the original or the ideal. Just as an onion's pungent smell can never match the fragrance of a jasmine, a temporary or illegitimate relationship cannot provide the status, stability, or respect of a legal marriage.

This proverb contrasts the different perspectives of love and dependency. A mother's love is selfless, worrying if her child has eaten enough (stomach), whereas a wife's perspective (historically in this context) might be focused on the provisions or earnings the husband brings home (the load on the back). It highlights the transition from being cared for to having responsibilities.

* 'Ακέφαλος μυθος. † II domandar costa poco.

This proverb highlights how deceptive weather or situations can lead to unintended consequences. It refers to a situation where a woman might misjudge the time due to a cloudy sky (thinking it's still early or already late) and fail to complete her chores or return home on time, leading to misunderstandings or criticism regarding her character or diligence.

This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes his wife and finds her sweet (like jaggery) while neglecting his mother or viewing her as a burden/troublemaker (like a ghost). It is typically used as a criticism of someone who forgets their filial duties after marriage.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people who are equally stubborn, incompetent, or flawed are paired together. It suggests that for every difficult or peculiar person, there is an equally matching counterpart, often implying that they deserve each other or that their flaws cancel each other out in a humorous or cynical way.

This proverb highlights the importance of both genders in maintaining a balanced household. It implies that a home without a woman's presence feels wild and disorganized like a forest, while a home without a man feels lonely or austere like a monastery. It emphasizes domestic completeness through partnership.

This proverb suggests that things which do not serve their purpose or are constantly causing trouble and friction should be abandoned. Just as an ill-fitting shoe causes pain with every step, a relationship without mutual understanding or discipline causes constant misery, and it is better to distance oneself from such sources of grief.

This proverb is used to describe a mismatch in a couple's appearance, specifically when the husband is unattractive or uncouth while the wife is exceptionally beautiful and graceful. It highlights a stark contrast in personality or physical traits within a partnership.

This proverb suggests that one's lifestyle or luxuries are proportional to their wealth, and a woman's status or happiness is often reflected through her husband's success and behavior. It is used to describe how external circumstances dictate the level of comfort or prestige one enjoys.

Refers to a very deep, long, or uninterrupted sleep. In the Ramayana, Urmila (Lakshmana's wife) is said to have slept for fourteen years, taking over her husband's share of sleep so he could remain awake to serve Rama. It is used to describe someone who sleeps for a very long duration or is very difficult to wake up.

Used to sarcastically point out that if one had the resources or ability to do the simple task being asked, they would have already achieved much bigger things in life. It highlights a lack of basic means or the absurdity of the request given the current circumstances.

This expression is used to mockingly describe a situation where a woman is married to a man who is physically small, weak, or insignificant in comparison to her or her expectations. It highlights a perceived mismatch between the dignity of the marital bond and the stature of the husband.

This expression is a philosophical or poetic reflection on the nature of desire and domesticity. It suggests that once a person becomes a spouse (domesticated), the physical attraction or allure might seem commonplace or 'empty' compared to the idealized or firm beauty of a stranger or a statue (stone). It is often used to describe the human tendency to undervalue what one possesses while romanticizing the unattainable or the external.

This proverb describes the plight of a person who loses their independence or direction. It suggests that a man who is completely dominated by his spouse (henpecked) or someone caught in a difficult situation (like deep, swirling waters) lacks stability and will be tossed about by circumstances without any control over their own path.

This proverb is traditionally used to caution men against being overly influenced or swayed by their wife's advice, suggesting that it leads to being lost or helpless, similar to being stranded in a wilderness. It is often used in a humorous or cautionary context regarding domestic decision-making.

This proverb humorously highlights the typical durations of different life stages and domestic behaviors. It suggests that a wife's resentment or anger can be long-lasting (metaphorically sixty years), a husband's is relatively shorter (thirty years), and childhood is fleeting (only ten years). It is often used to comment on the enduring nature of domestic friction versus the shortness of youth.

This proverb describes extreme hypocrisy or malicious intent disguised as sympathy. It refers to a person who pretends to be sad about a tragedy while secretly wishing for, or even causing, the worst possible outcome for another. It is used to mock people who act like well-wishers but harbor deep-seated enmity.