"Care not," would have.
"Care not," would have.
Meaning in plain English
The saying puts a claim of not caring beside a wish to have something. Its compact contrast suggests indifference may coexist with desire.
Example
A participant says either plan is fine, then acknowledges a preference when asked which one would serve their needs.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The quotation marks around care not make the spoken attitude stand out against would have. A useful reading notices the possible mismatch between declared detachment and an actual preference. It does not prove that anyone who says they do not care is secretly demanding something; the relevant preference should be clarified rather than guessed.
When to use it
Use it to discuss an apparent gap between expressed indifference and desire.
Keep in mind
The compressed wording does not establish hidden motives in every expression of indifference.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-04. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 203 · Care not
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗