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The pot calling the kettle black

Meaning: Criticizing someone for a flaw you yourself possess.

Origin: Spanish proverb from Don Quixote (1605) by Cervantes.

Translations

  • French: C'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité (literally: It's the hospital mocking charity)
  • Spanish: Le dijo la sartén al cazo (literally: The pan said to the pot)
  • Japanese: 目くそ鼻くそを笑う (Mekuso hanakuso wo warau) (literally: Eye gunk laughs at nose gunk)

More proverbs about Morality

  • Give credit where credit is due — Acknowledge others' contributions fairly.
  • Practice what you preach — Live according to the principles you advocate.
  • Cleanliness is next to godliness — Being clean is a virtue akin to being pious.
  • Pride comes before a fall — Arrogance often precedes failure.
  • The wheels of justice turn slowly — Justice takes time but eventually arrives.
  • The ends justify the means — A good outcome excuses questionable methods.

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