- English translation
Step between musk and its scent, and all you'll earn is disgrace.
- Literal wording
O you who enter between the musk and the scent, nothing will fall to your share except disgrace.
- Meaning and lesson
This saying warns against involving yourself in business that is not yours. Whoever forces a way into matters where he has no part should expect to gain nothing but embarrassment and unwelcome words, since uninvited meddling tends to rebound on the meddler.
The image is probably of someone who squeezes himself in among fine perfumes such as musk. Amid such sweet odors, whatever smell he carries would likely be noticed at once, leaving him exposed. This reading of the image is likely but not settled, and the warning against meddling holds either way.
- When it is used
Say it to warn someone who is about to interfere in matters outside their concern, or afterward when a meddler has ended up embarrassed. It works as frank, informal advice or a light rebuke.
- Register
- colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Step between musk and its scent, and all you'll earn is disgrace.