- English translation
When a contemptible person speaks badly of his own family or group, it reflects poorly on all of them.
- Literal wording
If a base man insults his own people, there is no good in him, nor in his people.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying dismisses a person's attack on his own people as unsurprising when both the speaker and those he condemns are judged equally contemptible. It treats the insult not as a startling revelation, but as conduct expected from someone considered disreputable.
It can belittle an internal quarrel or denunciation by claiming that neither side deserves esteem. Its force rests on a harsh collective judgment, treating one person's bad character as evidence against an entire family or group; this logic can unfairly reinforce stereotypes.
- When it is used
Use this as a severe, disparaging comment on someone denouncing relatives or associates when the speaker considers both critic and group dishonorable. It is strongly insulting rather than neutral advice, and its collective blame can be unfair or inflammatory in personal or family conflict.
Cite or copy proverb
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