మొండికెత్తితే మొగుడేమి చేస్తాడు, బండకెత్తితే బావేమి చేస్తాడు.

mondikettite mogudemi chestadu, bandakettite bavemi chestadu.

Translation

If one becomes stubborn, what can the husband do? If one is placed on a stone, what can the brother-in-law do?

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is extremely obstinate or refuses to cooperate. It implies that if a person decides to be unyielding or irrational (becoming 'mandi'), even those with authority or close relations cannot influence or help them. It highlights the helplessness of others when dealing with someone who is determined to be difficult.

Related Phrases

What can a husband do to a stubborn woman? What can a king do to a woman who has gone to the public square?

This proverb highlights the limitations of authority when dealing with shamelessness or extreme defiance. It means that if a person becomes utterly stubborn or discards their reputation by taking a private matter to the public (causing a scene), even those in power (like a husband in a traditional household or a king in a state) cannot control or reform them. It is used to describe situations where someone is beyond the reach of social norms or discipline.

When it is as small as a finger nail, he makes a mountain of it. To make a mountain of a mole-hill.

This expression is used to describe someone who has a habit of exaggerating small, insignificant matters or trivial issues into major problems or grand stories. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

If Gangamma is a shrew, what can Singaraju do?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is helpless against their partner's or subordinate's difficult and uncooperative temperament. It implies that if the primary person involved is inherently aggressive or stubborn, no amount of intervention or authority from another can change the outcome or maintain peace.

When asked 'Old woman, why are you shaking the cradle?', she replied, 'What can I do if it doesn't stay still?'

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide their natural weakness or inability by pretending it is an intentional act. In the story, an old woman shakes involuntarily due to old age; when asked why she is shaking the baby's cradle, she claims she is doing it on purpose because the cradle wouldn't stay still, hiding her frailty.

When asked 'O stubborn woman, what did your husband do?', she replied 'He hit me here and there, and then he died'.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely stubborn or difficult person who refuses to yield even when facing consequences. It implies that the person is so relentless that they ended up being the 'winner' only because the other person exhausted themselves or passed away trying to deal with them. It highlights a toxic level of persistence where the individual finds victory in others' defeat or departure.

If it is as small as a fingernail, he makes it as big as a mountain.

This expression is used to describe a person who has a habit of exaggerating things or blowing small issues out of proportion. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

What can a husband do to an adamant woman, and what can a king do to a woman who has taken her grievance to the public square?

This proverb highlights the limitations of authority when dealing with someone who has become completely stubborn or has already crossed the limits of social shame. It suggests that once a person becomes defiant (adamant) or decides to expose a private matter publicly (to the street/court), traditional authorities like a husband or even a king lose their power to control or discipline them.

What can a husband do to a refractory wife ? What can a king do to a woman who enters the hall of audience?

This proverb highlights that when a person becomes completely stubborn or shameless and decides to air their grievances or behavior in public (defying social norms), even those in authority like a husband or a king cannot control or reform them. It is used to describe situations where a person has lost their fear of consequences or social reputation.

When an aged lady was asked " Why do you shake your head ?" she replied " Because I have nothing better to do." A foolish question, and a smart answer.

This expression is used to describe a person who does something useless or involuntary and tries to justify it as a meaningful activity or a way to pass time. It highlights the tendency to make excuses for involuntary actions or habits that have no real purpose.

If she becomes stubborn, what can the husband do? If she climbs a rock, what can the brother-in-law do?

This proverb describes a situation where a person is so stubborn or defiant that no amount of authority or relationship can influence them. It is used to highlight that when someone is determined to be unreasonable or uncooperative, others around them become helpless to change the outcome.