Who buys hath need of a hundred eyes. Who sells hath need of one.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

A person accepting an item may need to examine it more carefully than the person offering it. Do not assume the giver’s or seller’s knowledge makes your own questions unnecessary.

What the words are saying

The hundred eyes and single eye exaggerate the different positions of buyer and seller. The person offering an item may already know its condition, while the recipient has to discover whether it fits their purpose. The numbers are rhetorical, not a checklist or a claim about every transaction. Figuratively, an attractive description should not replace the checks relevant to the intended use. The seller also has responsibilities and may lack information. Ask about the aspects that matter, inspect what can reasonably be inspected and distinguish what is known from what is merely promised, without treating every offer as dishonest.

Everyday example

Before accepting a donated bookcase, a librarian checks its measurements and condition rather than relying solely on the donor’s assurance that it is ideal.

When to use it

Use it when the person receiving an item has unanswered questions about suitability or condition.

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