proverb · Legacy record
To speak ill of anyone is to speak ill of you.
To speak ill of anyone is to speak ill of you.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Speaking ill of another described as speaking ill of oneself makes criticism reflect on its speaker. The saying asks what harmful talk reveals about the person using it.
What the words are saying
A responsible interpretation does not treat every negative statement as malice or a confession of the same fault. Necessary criticism and reports of harm can be legitimate. A useful application examines whether a remark is fair and supported rather than silencing it merely because it concerns misconduct.
Everyday example
Someone removes an unfounded insult while keeping a supported account of the problem that needs attention.
When to use it
Use it to examine fair criticism rather than prohibit negative reports.
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What it does not mean
No automatic self-incrimination or duty to suppress justified criticism 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 481; PDF page 45; collection label: Afghanistan
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Afghanistan