proverb · Words worth keeping
The empty leech sucks sore.
The empty leech sucks sore.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying pictures an empty leech sucking intensely. As an explicit analogy, a strong unmet demand may be imagined to increase the force of taking.
Example
A group looks at a resource shortage contributing to repeated demands instead of insulting those asking for help.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Empty supplies the need and sucks sore the effect. A responsible human application can examine pressure from a shortage without treating people in need as parasites or implying poverty makes them dishonest. The image is not a verified account of leech behaviour. Its useful question is how an actual unmet demand affects an arrangement.
When to use it
Use it as a clearly stated analogy about demand and pressure.
Keep in mind
The animal image does not establish biology or the character of people lacking resources.
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