“On voit la paille dans l’oeil de son voisin, mais pas la poutre dans le sien.”
image by Petrina Tinslay, from the f8 photo library
Which means? This:
“One sees the straw in the eye of its neighbour but not the beam in his own.”
Think long and hard about this. Loooooong and haaaard. (I hope you are getting my humour in my writing – it sometimes gets mistaken as offensive but that doesn’t seem to stop me).
I know I was going to try to do a pronunucation version for you so you could show off your French at the next dinner party, but this proverb is long and if you are anything like me, you’d be lucky to remember it let alone pronounce it correctly. But I do realise not everyone has the memory of a goldfish comme moi, so you Frenchies out there (yes that is you Mary-Laure), if you felt like adding a phonetical version of this proverb we would all be very appreciative!
And to copy-cat Bob Sherman, I’m adding one he sent to me in his Daily Dose yesterday, this one’s from Marky Mark (Twain, not the Funky Bunch)…
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
This quote I should have tattooed on my forehead so that every time I look in the mirror I can kick myself for forgetting it, then perhaps I’d finally abide by it. Enough metaphors and innuendos, onto our interior fix for the day!
That very last quotation…SUCH a good reminder!!!!! Unfortunately, something I encounter more than I would care to….ranging from outspoken pessimism to unbridled indifference. But you inspire everyday, Pia….THANKS!
January 24th, 2008 | #
Oh I’m so glad I have a comrade here, unbridled indifference is putrid. Thanks for your comment Uncle Beefy, and as I like to say (and tease) my Canadian pals, “thanks for thanking me for thanking you!” y’all are too nice!
January 24th, 2008 | #
geez, i embarrass myself. just keep walking people, no need to stare.
January 24th, 2008 | #
funny enough, i used a version of that same quote just the other day (remove the log from your own before removing the splinter from your neighbor’s) while discussing politics & religion (yikes!) via email with my uncle. it’s a good one to keep in the forefront.
i just signed up for the daily dose. thanks for the rec!
January 26th, 2008 | #