Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth.
Meaning: Genuine charity requires secrecy; publicizing generosity corrupts its moral purpose into self-aggrandizement.
Origin: From the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:3), in the King James Version: "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." Jesus is teaching that charity should be done quietly, not for show. Proverbial use often reverses the hands, and has turned it into a complaint about disorganization.
More proverbs about Morality
- The fairest rose at last is withered. — Even the most beautiful things inevitably decline and fade with time.
- Set the saddle on the right horse. — Choose the person best suited for the task rather than wasting effort on unsuitable candi…
- Everything is good in its season. — Timing determines value—what flourishes in spring withers in winter, and forcing things o…
- None but fools and fiddlers sing at their meat. — Eating while singing wastes attention on both nourishment and music, showing poor judgmen…
- Sorrow and bad weather come unsent for. — Misfortune arrives without invitation, so accepting its inevitability brings more peace t…
- Sorrow is good for nothing but sin. — Dwelling in grief without purpose breeds despair that leads to destructive choices.
From our compliments & insults
- Espèce de patate — You dim bulb — a potato being the very picture of inert, unthinking stodginess.
- Quel râleur / quelle râleuse — You never stop moaning — everything is a complaint, nothing is ever good enough.
- Peau de vache — A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.