proverb · Words worth keeping
The list is worse than the cloth.
The list is worse than the cloth.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
An outer edge may give a worse impression than the larger material it borders. Inspect both before deciding whether an unappealing detail represents the whole.
Example
A restorer examines the sound central fabric of a curtain separately from a worn border before deciding whether it can be repaired.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The cloth and its edging provide a contrast between the main material and a part that frames it. Read the source image as a warning that a poor boundary or finish need not accurately represent everything within. The interpretation should remain tied to that comparison, rather than inventing a story about where the proverb began. Inspect what the weak part affects and whether the rest remains useful. An edge can be superficial, but it can also reveal workmanship or a defect that requires attention.
When to use it
Use it to compare an unattractive detail with the whole it surrounds.
Keep in mind
An edge may reveal a serious defect; the proverb does not justify ignoring evidence simply because the centre looks better.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional (French-language collection)
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown