JLPT N3Proverbs

馬の耳に念仏

Meaning
ありがたい教えや忠告も聞く気のない者には効果がない
Explanation
「馬の耳に念仏」 means that, just as a horse cannot understand a worthy sutra read to it, no matter how good your teaching or advice is, it has no effect on someone who has no intention of listening. It is the opposite of c2's 「どんな相手にも伝わる」 (it gets through to anyone).
Original Japanese explanation

「馬の耳に念仏」は、馬にありがたいお経を聞かせても分からないように、いくら良い教えや忠告をしても、聞く気のない相手には効果がないという意味です。c2 の「どんな相手にも伝わる」とは反対の意味です。

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