ProverbMorality
American origin18th c.
American origin18th c.If the shoe fits, wear it
Meaning: Accept criticism that accurately applies to you.
Origin: The American form of the British "if the cap fits, wear it," where the cap was a fool's cap. Daniel Defoe used the cap version in 1705. In North America the cap became a shoe by the late 18th century, perhaps under the influence of Cinderella's slipper.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, German, and Dutch
French: Qui se sent morveux, qu'il se mouche (literally: Whoever feels snotty should blow his nose)
Spanish: Al que le quede el guante, que se lo ponga (literally: Whoever the glove fits, put it on)
German: Getroffene Hunde bellen (literally: Dogs that have been hit are the ones that bark)
Dutch: Wie de schoen past, trekke hem aan (literally: Whom the shoe fits, let him put it on)
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