- English translation
A man who shames his wife invites others to treat her with contempt.
- Literal wording
He who says to his wife, “You one-eyed woman,” will have people play ball with her.
- Meaning and lesson
When a husband insults his wife or taunts her over perceived flaws, he may diminish the regard others show her. His own disparagement can encourage other people to treat her with less respect.
The saying warns that degrading a wife can make her a target for wider ridicule and scorn. Its ball-playing image is figurative, suggesting that others may treat her as an object of mockery or disrespect.
- When it is used
Used, in its traditional husband-and-wife framing, to warn against insulting a wife or dwelling on her perceived faults, because such disparagement may lead other people to disrespect or mock her.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: A man who shames his wife invites others to treat her with contempt.