Meaning & Analysis
Based on an old belief, this proverb literally means that a diseased or infected eye can transmit its condition to a healthy eye merely by being looked at, reflecting an early, pre-scientific understanding of contagion.
Insights
Moral Corruption
The proverb serves as a powerful metaphor for moral corruption, where a person of bad character or virtue can negatively influence and degrade the morals of those around them, especially the impressionable.
Emotional Contagion
It illustrates the concept of emotional contagion, suggesting that negative emotions such as pessimism, cynicism, or misery can spread from one individual to another, 'infecting' the emotional atmosphere of a social group.
Corruption of Perspective
The 'sore eye' can symbolize a flawed or harmful perspective. This interpretation warns that exposure to a toxic worldview, gossip, or misinformation can contaminate and distort one's own perception of reality.
The Danger of Association
It warns of the danger in associating with negativity. Just as one avoids a sick person to stay healthy, the proverb advises distancing oneself from corrupting influences to preserve one's own integrity and well-being.
Archaic Theory of Contagion
The proverb is rooted in pre-scientific beliefs about disease transmission, where ailments were thought to spread through sight or malevolent emanations, a concept related to the 'evil eye'. This historical context adds a layer of superstition to the moral warning.
Moral and Social Warning
This proverb functions as a powerful social and moral cautionary tale, akin to 'one rotten apple spoils the barrel'. It advises vigilance in choosing one's company, framing negative influence not just as a bad habit but as a virulent disease.
Literary Resonance
Shakespeare's use in 'Richard III'—'Thou dost infect mine eyes'—masterfully plays on the dual meaning. It conveys both physical revulsion and the idea of moral contamination, where seeing evil is itself a corrupting experience.
Psychological Contagion
The proverb captures the very real psychological phenomenon of emotional and social contagion. One person's negativity, cynicism, or unethical behavior can demonstrably spread, lowering the morale and ethical standards of a group.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The proverb's central device is the metaphor of physical disease (a 'sore eye') to represent abstract concepts like moral decay, emotional toxicity, or harmful ideas.
Synecdoche
The 'eye' is used as a synecdoche, representing the entire person—their character, outlook, and influence. The 'sore eye' is not just an organ but a corrupted individual.
Antithesis
A stark contrast is drawn between the 'sore' (diseased, corrupt) and the 'sound' (healthy, virtuous), which effectively highlights the destructive power of negative influence.
Transcription
Quotations
It is seene in a sore eye, that bee-holding steadily a sound one, giveth him his disease.
Straunge it is that the sounde eye viewinge the sore shoulde not be dimmed.
Our eies by looking on others eies that be sicke and naught, are oftentimes infected (or rather fascinated with some of their infirmities, and ill accidents).
As whole and sound eies with beholding and looking on sore eyes be annoyed and hurt: so good and honest folks be oftentimes stained and hurt with the Company of wicked men.
My soule (Like one that lookes on ill-affected eyes) Is hurt with mere intention on their follies.
Shakespeare Citations
Out of my sight! Thou dost infect mine eyes. —Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.