మెట్టన మాత, పల్లాన భార్య
mettana mata, pallana bharya
The mother on the edge of the precipice and the wife on the brink of the pool. The two having quarrelled each threatens to destroy herself unless the man takes her part. A difficult dilemma.
This proverb reflects the traditional agricultural wisdom regarding land management. It suggests that upland (metta) should be treated with the care and reverence given to a mother (requiring less constant attention but deep respect), while lowland (palla) should be attended to with the intimacy and constant care given to a wife (requiring frequent monitoring and labor for a good yield).
Related Phrases
గాదె నిండా బియ్యము ఉంటే, కరువు కాలాన నా భార్యనూ పిల్లలనూ నేనే రక్షిస్తానన్నాడట.
gade ninda biyyamu unte, karuvu kalana na bharyanu pillalanu nene rakshistanannadata.
He said that he himself would support his wife and family in dearth and in plenty, so long as the bin was full of corn.
This proverb mockingly refers to people who display false bravery or self-reliance only when they are already in a secure position. It highlights that anyone can boast about taking care of responsibilities when resources are abundant, but true character or capability is only tested in times of real scarcity.
పురుషుని భాగ్యం అనుకూలమైన భార్య
purushuni bhagyam anukulamaina bharya
A man's fortune is a compatible wife.
This proverb highlights that a man's true wealth and success in life depend heavily on having a supportive and understanding spouse. It is used to emphasize the importance of marital harmony and the role a life partner plays in one's prosperity and happiness.
అత్త మెత్తన, కత్తి మెత్తన ఉండవు
atta mettana, katti mettana undavu
A mother-in-law is never soft, and a knife is never soft.
This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.
రాజుగారి మొదటి భార్య పతివ్రత అంటే రెండో భార్య అంతకంటేనా?
rajugari modati bharya pativrata ante rendo bharya antakantena?
If the King's first wife is called a devoted woman, does it mean the second wife is even more so?
This expression is used to mock someone who tries to prove their excellence or innocence by comparing themselves to someone already known for that trait, often implying that both are equally questionable or that the comparison is absurd. It is used when someone tries to outdo a claim that is already perceived as a lie or an exaggeration.
ఆ ఇంట్లో తారాడే బాల వితంతువు మీ భార్యా లేక మీ అన్న భార్యా? అని అడిగినాడట.
a intlo tarade bala vitantuvu mi bharya leka mi anna bharya? ani adiginadata.
He reportedly asked, 'Is the young widow wandering in that house your wife or your brother's wife?'
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense, social etiquette, or tact. It highlights a situation where someone asks an incredibly offensive, contradictory, or foolish question that insults everyone involved while being logically absurd (since a wife cannot be a widow while the husband is alive and being questioned).
భర్త బడాయి భార్య మీదనే
bharta badayi bharya midane
A husband's boasting is only over his wife
This expression is used to describe someone who acts arrogant or powerful only towards those who are dependent on them or cannot retaliate, while being timid or insignificant in front of others. It highlights selective bravery or false pride shown within the safety of one's home.
మగడు వల్లనమ్మను మారీ వల్లదు.
magadu vallanammanu mari valladu.
Even the goddess of pestilence passes over the woman un- loved by her husband. Because her misery cannot be augmented; death would only release her from her sufferings. Māri or Māriyamma (Sans. Māri) is the fury supposed to preside over the small-pox and other epidemiological diseases. You cannot damage a wrecked ship. (Ilanan.)
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so unfortunate or troublesome that they are rejected by everyone, including their own family and even fate. It signifies a state of total abandonment or being an outcast whom nobody wants to take responsibility for.
భార్య మాట బ్రతుకు బాట
bharya mata bratuku bata
Wife's word is the path to life.
This expression suggests that listening to a wife's advice leads to a stable, prosperous, and successful life. It highlights the importance of a spouse's wisdom in maintaining a happy household.
గాదె నిండా బియ్యముంటే, కరువు కాలాన నా భార్యను పిల్లలను నేనే రక్షిస్తాను అన్నాడట
gade ninda biyyamunte, karuvu kalana na bharyanu pillalanu nene rakshistanu annadata
When the granary is full of rice, he said he would protect his wife and children himself during the famine.
This proverb mocks people who make hollow boasts or display overconfidence only when they are in a comfortable and secure position. It highlights that it is easy to promise protection or bravery when resources are abundant, but true character and capability are only tested when those resources are gone.
మెట్టనున్న ఏనుగే, పల్లానున్న ఏనుగే
mettanunna enuge, pallanunna enuge
An elephant on the plateau is an elephant, and an elephant in the lowlands is still an elephant.
This proverb signifies that a person's inherent value, character, or status does not change based on their current circumstances or location. Whether in a high position or a low one, greatness remains greatness.