A friend's eye is a good mirror.
A friend's eye is a good mirror.
Meaning in plain English
The saying makes a friend’s eye a mirror. It values the perspective a trusted friend can offer about oneself.
Example
Someone asks a trusted friend for specific feedback and considers it alongside other evidence.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The reflected view is personal rather than a guarantee of accuracy. A useful application welcomes candid feedback while asking what supports it and retaining room for disagreement. Friendship does not make every opinion true or require accepting hurtful comments without question.
When to use it
Use it to discuss helpful feedback with its limits retained.
Keep in mind
A friend’s judgment is not automatically accurate or binding.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 484; PDF page 71
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗
Word-matched topics