For the benefit of the flowers we water the thorns as well.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Watering thorns along with flowers gives a desired benefit accompanying effects. The saying asks what else an action nourishes when its target cannot be isolated.

What the words are saying

The plant scene is an analogy rather than a cultivation rule. A useful application examines benefits and costs together without assuming harm is always inevitable or acceptable. What can be changed and who is affected still matter; a valued purpose alone does not justify every consequence.

Everyday example

A team examines an unwanted effect of a helpful programme and asks whether it can be reduced.

When to use it

Use it to consider accompanying effects without automatic justification.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.