- English translation
When the rich man wanted a mere shard of clay, the poor man shattered his only water jar to give him one.
- Literal wording
The rich man asked for a potsherd; the poor man broke his water jar.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying describes a lopsided exchange. The wealthy person wants something nearly worthless, a scrap of broken pottery, and the poor person smashes the only water jar he drinks from just to supply it. The value lost is far greater than the favor granted, and the giver bears the whole cost.
More broadly, the traditional reading applies it to excessive deference toward the rich and eager attempts to win their approval, without implying all poor people behave this way. That deference can push someone into self-inflicted losses the powerful barely notice, so the proverb mocks such fawning rather than praising generosity.
- When it is used
Use it, often with mild irony or reproach, when someone of modest means sacrifices something they truly need to satisfy a trivial request from a wealthy or powerful person, hoping to win favor.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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