proverb · Words worth keeping
One can’t repay the debts to one’s mother.
One can’t repay the debts to one’s mother.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A debt to one’s mother described as unrepayable gives parental care an immeasurable value. The saying expresses gratitude through an obligation image.
What the words are saying
A responsible reading does not presume every maternal relationship was caring or make gratitude a lifelong loss of autonomy. Support can be acknowledged voluntarily, and boundaries remain legitimate. The metaphor is not a legal or financial debt calculation.
Everyday example
Someone thanks a caring parent while keeping a reasonable boundary about a new request.
When to use it
Use it to discuss appreciation without compulsory lifelong obligation.
What it does not mean
No universal maternal care, enforceable debt or loss of autonomy is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Mongolia
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 424; PDF page 40; collection label: Mongolia
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Mongolia