- English translation
The brick always finds the sore spot.
- Literal wording
The brick does not come except onto the damaged one.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying pictures a thrown clay brick that somehow always strikes the one body part, or the one person, that is already wounded. It puts into words the bitter observation that fresh trouble seems drawn to whoever is suffering already.
In use, it comments on a run of misfortunes in which one blow follows another. It conveys a resigned sense that hardship does not spread itself fairly. Instead, it lands repeatedly on those least able to bear it.
- When it is used
Say it when someone already struggling is hit by a fresh setback, such as a sick person who then loses work. It expresses rueful sympathy about bad luck piling up and is not meant as blame.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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