proverb · Words worth keeping
He who puts up with insult invites injury.
He who puts up with insult invites injury.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Putting up with insult described as inviting injury links tolerated disrespect with possible escalation. The saying urges attention to harmful conduct.
What the words are saying
A critical reading rejects responsibility for injury being assigned to the person targeted. Speaking up may be unsafe or difficult, and the aggressor remains responsible for harm. A useful application supports choices, boundaries and accessible help rather than prescribing confrontation or blaming silence.
Everyday example
A group supports someone facing disrespect without demanding a risky confrontation or blaming their response.
When to use it
Use it critically to recognise harm and support agency without victim blame.
What it does not mean
No invitation to harm inferred from tolerating insult or required confrontation is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Germany
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 788; PDF page 71; collection label: Germany
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Germany