అగ్గిని మండించవచ్చు గాని మూర్ఖుణ్ణి మార్చలేము

aggini mandinchavachchu gani murkhunni marchalemu

Translation

You can ignite a fire, but you cannot change a fool.

Meaning

This expression is used to highlight the extreme difficulty or impossibility of changing a stubborn or foolish person's mind or behavior. It suggests that even performing a difficult physical task like controlling fire is easier than reasoning with someone who lacks wisdom or is unwilling to learn.

Related Phrases

Through words, one can earn estates or honors.

This expression emphasizes the power of effective communication and eloquence. It suggests that if one speaks wisely, politely, or persuasively, they can gain great wealth, lands, or respect in society without physical labor.

Will a dog-like mind let you sit still?

This expression compares the human mind to a restless dog that is constantly moving, wandering, and seeking distractions. It is used to describe the nature of a person who lacks focus, mental peace, or the ability to stay still in one place or on one task.

The fire in the stomach is an invisible fire.

This expression refers to internal suffering, deep grief, or hidden jealousy that others cannot see. While physical fires are visible, the 'burning' one feels due to hunger, emotional pain, or envy is hidden from the world but deeply felt by the individual.

Will a woman who scolded her husband forgive her brother-in-law?

If someone is bold or disrespectful enough to abuse their own primary authority or loved ones (like a husband in traditional contexts), they certainly won't show mercy or respect to those of lesser status or relation. It is used to describe a person's consistent harsh temperament across all relationships.

Like getting so lost in conversation that one forgets their husband.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gets so distracted by trivial talk or secondary activities that they completely neglect their primary responsibility or the main purpose of their task.

One can make someone eat bitterness through friendship, but cannot force them to drink milk through power.

This proverb emphasizes that affection and friendship can achieve things that force or coercion cannot. You can convince someone to do something difficult or unpleasant (bitterness) out of love, but you cannot force them to accept even something beneficial (milk) against their will.

Like drowning many people to build a mosque.

This proverb describes a person who performs a seemingly pious or charitable act using resources gained through deceit, exploitation, or by harming others. It highlights the hypocrisy of trying to earn merit through sinful or unethical means.

One can conquer six kingdoms, but one cannot conquer a son-in-law.

This proverb highlights the delicate and often difficult nature of the relationship with a son-in-law in Indian culture. It suggests that while achieving great feats like winning wars is possible through strength, it is nearly impossible to satisfy or control a son-in-law's ego or demands, as he must be treated with utmost respect and patience to ensure the daughter's happiness.

Words that are barely formed are like a bundle of gold coins.

This expression is used to describe the broken or half-formed speech of young children. Just as a bundle of gold (varahalu) is precious, the innocent and stuttering attempts of a child trying to talk are considered delightful, sweet, and invaluable to hear.

One can make Goddess Mahakali laugh with words.

This expression emphasizes the power of eloquence and persuasive communication. It implies that through skillful speech, wit, or clever storytelling, one can win over even the most fearsome, stern, or difficult people.