proverb · Words worth keeping
It's a wicked thing to make a dearth one's garner.
It's a wicked thing to make a dearth one's garner.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Making a shortage into one’s storehouse pictures gaining from other people’s deprivation. The saying condemns exploiting scarcity, rather than every instance of preparing supplies or receiving a benefit during difficult circumstances; the relevant question is how the advantage is obtained.
Example
A group refuses to make urgently needed shared equipment available only to members willing to grant its organiser unrelated favours.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Dearth means scarcity in the image, while the garner is a place where supplies are kept. The sentence turns a common lack into a private source of gain and calls that conduct wicked. Figuratively, someone may use others’ urgent need as an opportunity to demand unfair terms or withhold necessary access. It is important to distinguish that exploitation from ordinary preparation or helpful provision. The saying itself does not determine the fairness of a particular arrangement. A useful reading examines the conduct, the available choices and who bears the pressure, instead of judging solely from the presence of a benefit.
When to use it
Use it to question a specific attempt to exploit another person’s urgent need.
Keep in mind
Preparation and helpful provision are not automatically exploitation.
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