Meaning & Analysis
A person is a fool if he injures himself with his own knife—if he brings harm upon himself using his own tools or means.
Insights
Self-Destructive Actions
The proverb symbolizes the folly of using one’s own abilities, resources, or power in a way that leads to personal harm or disadvantage.
Lack of Self-Control or Prudence
It also suggests that foolishness is often revealed through an inability to manage or wisely employ what one possesses, whether it be authority, knowledge, or material resources.
Historical Parallels
Variants of the proverb are found in many cultures, sometimes in stronger form (cutting one’s own throat). The knife represents agency or capacity—tools that may serve or endanger, depending on judgment.
Social and Parental Dynamics
The proverb is often applied to those who, by poor management, allow inferiors, dependents, or children to undermine them, suggesting self-inflicted trouble through lack of authority or foresight.
Psychological Perspective
Psychologically, it exposes how self-sabotage can arise from impulsiveness, overconfidence, or ignorance—traits commonly ascribed to folly.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The 'knife' metaphorically stands for any tool, power, or resource; the self-inflicted wound makes folly concrete and memorable.
Imagery
Vividly depicts self-harm, appealing to the senses and reinforcing the warning through a physical, relatable scenario.
Antithesis
Contrasts intended use (bread, sustenance) with unintended harm (injury), underscoring the irony of misapplied capability.
Transcription
Quotations
They cut their owne throte with their own knife.
(A foolish body cutteth).
*So said of those that lets their Inferiors, or Children ouer run them.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.