Self love's a mote in every man's eye.
Meaning: Vanity blinds us to our own faults while we scrutinize others' imperfections.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Human Nature
- Being born in a stable does not make a man a horse. — Humble origins cannot determine one's ultimate character or potential; circumstance of bi…
- The subjects' love is the king's lifeguard. — A monarch's security depends ultimately on their people's loyalty and goodwill rather tha…
- A poor man's table is soon spread. — A meager meal requires less preparation than a lavish feast.
- A man may dig his grave with his teeth. — Indulgence in food and drink ultimately destroys one's health and shortens one's lifespan.
- A tradesman who gets not loseth. — Idle craftsmen squander their skills and livelihood through inaction rather than active w…
- Fools think themselves wise to the very last. — Arrogance prevents self-awareness; the foolish remain blind to their own ignorance until…
From our untranslatable words
- Kummerspeck — The weight you gain from emotional eating — the extra pounds that accumulate during heart…
- Fremdschämen — The vicarious embarrassment you feel for someone who is doing something cringeworthy — ev…
- Drachenfutter — A peace-offering gift brought home to a partner after staying out too late or doing somet…