దయ దండిది, గుణం మొండిది.

daya dandidi, gunam mondidi.

Translation

Compassion is great, but character is stubborn.

Meaning

This expression highlights the contrast between one's outward kindness and their inherent, unchangeable nature. While a person might show great mercy or charity (Daya), their fundamental temperament or behavioral traits (Gunam) often remain rigid and difficult to alter, regardless of their good intentions.

Related Phrases

The person is good, but their character/nature is ruinous.

This expression is used to describe someone who might appear to be a good person at heart or in appearance, but possesses specific habits, a temperament, or a fatal flaw that leads to trouble or destruction. It highlights the contradiction between a person's basic identity and their problematic behavior.

One obstinate man who wouldn't give and another who wouldn't take a refusal.

This expression describes a situation where two equally stubborn or determined individuals clash. It is used when a person who refuses to yield meets someone who is relentlessly persistent in their demand or pursuit. It highlights a stalemate between a 'stubborn refuser' and a 'persistent pursuer'.

The celebration belongs to Lord Venkateswara, but the noise belongs to the devotee Govindu.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the glory or credit belongs to one person (the center of attention), but the commotion, shouting, or unnecessary hype is created by someone else (the followers or subordinates). It highlights the contrast between the dignity of the core event and the rowdiness of the participants.

The color of the palm fruit is deceptive.

This expression refers to something that looks attractive or promising on the outside but turns out to be useless, empty, or disappointing on the inside. It is used to describe deceptive appearances where the external beauty does not reflect the internal quality.

A blind man's plan belongs to the blind man, and a hunchback's plan belongs to the hunchback.

This proverb implies that everyone has their own unique way of thinking, limitations, or perspectives based on their personal circumstances. It is often used to suggest that one person's logic or solution might not be applicable or understandable to others, or that individuals act according to their own specific nature and constraints.

If she adapts, she is a woman; if not, she is a donkey.

This expression describes a fickle or opportunistic attitude towards people. It means that as long as someone is useful or compliant to one's needs, they are treated with respect, but the moment they stop serving that purpose or disagree, they are treated with contempt and insulted.

One person's wealth, another person's vanity

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person works hard to earn money or resources, while another person spends it lavishly to show off or enjoy the benefits without any effort. It highlights the unfairness of someone reaping the rewards of another person's labor.

The husband's authority and a stubborn paternal aunt.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doubly burdened or oppressed by two difficult authorities. It typically refers to a woman's hardship when she has to deal with a dominating husband on one side and a relentless, stubborn mother-in-law (paternal aunt) on the other, leaving her with no peace or freedom.

Stubborn Shikhandi

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, obstinate, and refuses to listen to reason or change their mind. It combines 'Mondi' (stubborn) with 'Shikhandi' (a character from the Mahabharata known for being unshakeable in their purpose), signifying someone who stands their ground to a fault regardless of the consequences or arguments presented.

Suri reached puberty during the wedding; this one is worried about relatives, while Ramu is worried about his ringworm.

This proverb describes a situation where different people are preoccupied with their own specific (and often trivial or misplaced) concerns during a significant event, rather than focusing on the main occasion or the common goal. It is used to mock people who prioritize their minor personal problems over a collective priority.