proverb · Legacy record
They asked the fox, “Who is your witness?” The fox said, “My tail.”
They asked the fox, “Who is your witness?” The fox said, “My tail.”
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A fox naming its own tail as witness pictures a claim supported only by something attached to the claimant. The saying questions apparent corroboration that is not independent.
What the words are saying
The animal dialogue is an image rather than a verified event or legal evidence rule. A useful application asks whether two apparent sources actually share one origin. Dependence does not prove a claim false, but it can limit how much additional support the second source provides.
Everyday example
A reader notices that two reports both repeat the same original assertion and looks for separate evidence.
When to use it
Use it to distinguish repeated assertions from independent support.
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What it does not mean
No legal admissibility rule or automatic falsity from dependent evidence 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
Afghanistan
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 480; PDF page 45; collection label: Afghanistan
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Afghanistan