- English translation
Do not treat me generously only to hurt me afterward.
- Literal wording
Do not feed me a fat chicken and then leave me to spend the night sorrowful.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying criticizes a favor that is spoiled by later hurtful conduct. Its image of a fat chicken represents substantial hospitality or generosity, not food itself; such generosity does not excuse humiliation, anger, or other injury.
It expresses a preference for kindness that remains kind over a gift followed by reproach. It targets conduct that mixes help with emotional harm, rather than generosity alone: when goodwill turns into harm, the earlier favor loses its value.
- When it is used
Use it to object when someone pairs help, hospitality, or a gift with later insults, resentment, or emotional mistreatment. It can also warn that generosity should not become a means of making another person feel indebted or distressed.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Do not treat me generously only to hurt me afterward.