- English translation
A hand-kiss may be a way of making someone the butt of a joke.
- Literal wording
Kissing the hand is laughing at beards.
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb warns that a display of deference can be a calculated trick. What looks like humble respect may instead be intended to mislead a person and leave them unaware that they are being made a fool of.
It casts suspicion on flattering conduct when the apparent courtesy serves deception. The emphasis lies on the hidden ridicule or manipulation behind the gesture, rather than on hand-kissing as an expression of genuine esteem.
- When it is used
Use it critically of conspicuous politeness or flattery believed to conceal an effort to deceive someone. It fits situations where a respectful-looking gesture is treated as calculated mockery or a means of taking advantage of another person's trust.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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