proverb · Words worth keeping
He who conceals his disease should not expect to be cured.
He who conceals his disease should not expect to be cured.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A concealed disease contrasted with an expected cure links disclosure with the possibility of receiving help. The saying questions an expectation that an unknown problem will be addressed.
Example
Someone describes a relevant obstacle to a trusted project collaborator so appropriate help can be considered.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A responsible interpretation does not diagnose a condition, guarantee cure or blame an ill person for privacy. Barriers and trust can affect disclosure, and confidentiality matters. A qualified nonmedical application concerns communicating a relevant problem to someone who can assist, without telling anyone what healthcare decision to make.
When to use it
Use it as a qualified problem-and-assistance image, not medical guidance.
Keep in mind
No clinical outcome, mandatory public disclosure or blame for illness is established.
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
- Assyria/Ethiopia