Don't cut your nose off to spite your face.
Meaning: Self-destructive revenge harms you more than your enemy.
Origin: A medieval image: around 1190 the churchman Peter of Blois quoted a common saying that whoever cuts off his own nose takes a poor revenge, and an Old French form ran "he who cuts off his nose disfigures his face." English has versions from the 16th century, and the "spite" wording from the 19th. It describes harming yourself in a fit of anger meant to hurt someone else.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Who spits against the wind spits in his own face. — Careless antagonism inevitably harms the aggressor more than the intended target.
- Spoil not the ship for a penn'orth of tar. — Neglecting small, inexpensive preventive measures risks losing something far more valuabl…
- Rich men's spots are covered with money. — Wealth allows the privileged to hide their flaws and escape consequences that ordinary pe…
- Throw a sprat to catch a whale. — Small initial sacrifices yield disproportionately larger gains when investments are strat…
- Do not spur a free horse. — Pushing someone already willing to help creates resistance instead of cooperation.
- Standers by see more than the gamesters. — Detached observers perceive patterns and opportunities that active participants miss thro…
From our compliments & insults
- Sei un tesoro — You're a darling — precious to have around.
- Du bist ein Schatz — You're a sweetheart.
- 目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) — Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.