proverb · Words worth keeping
He that bites on every weed must needs light on poison.
He that bites on every weed must needs light on poison.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Trying every available thing without discrimination is pictured as eventually biting a poisonous weed. The warning favours judgment over indiscriminate sampling; it is a figurative caution, not evidence that curiosity is dangerous or a guide to identifying safe plants.
Example
A researcher checks who produced a striking online claim before repeating it, instead of forwarding every interesting item encountered.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Every weed creates an image of accepting whatever happens to be within reach. The poisonous encounter supplies the consequence of making no distinction between possibilities. Figuratively, someone may enter each invitation or follow each claim without considering its source, purpose or likely effects. The saying encourages a pause to make those distinctions. It need not discourage exploration carried out with care, nor does it prove that a particular opportunity is harmful. Its literal plant image supplies no practical identification information. The useful lesson is selective attention: curiosity can remain open while judgment determines what to take up.
When to use it
Use it to encourage discrimination before adopting a claim or opportunity.
Keep in mind
This is not plant-safety guidance, and careful curiosity need not be discouraged.
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