proverb · Words worth keeping
Gold dust blinds all eyes.
Gold dust blinds all eyes.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The prospect of wealth can distract people from relevant facts or objections. The saying warns about distorted judgement, without proving that every person will ignore evidence when money is involved.
Example
An organiser reads a sponsorship offer’s conditions before accepting, rather than allowing the generous headline amount to obscure demands that conflict with the event’s purpose.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Gold dust is imagined as getting into the eyes, making a desired benefit interfere with clear sight. Figuratively, attention to a valuable reward may crowd out concern about how it is obtained or what it costs. All eyes exaggerates the reach of that temptation rather than establishing a universal fact. People can recognise financial benefits while still examining the evidence and consequences. The useful question asks which considerations have been left out because the reward looks attractive. Bringing those details back into view makes it possible to judge the proposal itself rather than simply respond to the size of the promised gain.
When to use it
Use it when an appealing reward is distracting from the terms or consequences of an offer.
Keep in mind
Money does not automatically corrupt judgement; identify the particular omitted evidence rather than accuse everyone.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English