Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Attention directed toward one person may be intended to please someone connected with them. The child and nurse picture indirect favour, without proving that every friendly gesture has a hidden or dishonest motive.

What the words are saying

The visible gesture is toward the child, while the saying locates its reason in the nurse. Figuratively, someone may praise a project, attend an event or show interest partly because of a relationship with another person involved. That motive can be considerate and openly understood; it is not automatically manipulation. A useful reading distinguishes the person receiving attention from the person whose goodwill matters to the visitor. The proverb should prompt curiosity about the particular relationship rather than suspicion of all friendliness. Its point is that the direct recipient of an action need not be its only intended audience.

Everyday example

A neighbour attends a student exhibition partly to support the teacher who helped organise it and is open about that connection.

When to use it

Use it when an action toward one person also acknowledges a relationship with another.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.