When a KNAVE is in a plum tree he has neither friend nor kin

Insights

Selfishness Revealed by Opportunity

The proverb is a metaphor for how easily a person's true, selfish nature is revealed when they gain power, wealth, or advantage. The 'plum tree' represents any fortunate situation, and the knave's refusal to share demonstrates that his self-interest completely overrides any sense of loyalty or kinship.

Greed as an Isolating Force

It illustrates that unchecked greed is an isolating force. By focusing solely on his own gain and refusing to share, the knave actively severs his connections to 'friend nor kin', demonstrating that the pursuit of material wealth at the expense of relationships leads to social alienation.

A Warning Against Misplaced Trust

The proverb serves as a cynical warning about human nature, suggesting that one should be wary of how people change when they acquire sudden fortune. It implies that loyalty is fragile and can be easily discarded in the face of personal enrichment.

Opportunity as a Moral Test

The proverb offers a sharp critique of how newfound advantage can corrupt character. The 'plum tree' symbolizes any desirable opportunity or 'plum job'. A person's behavior when they gain such an advantage is seen as the ultimate test of their moral fiber, revealing whether their loyalties are to their community or solely to themselves.

Psychology of Greed

This proverb reflects a deep-seated psychological truth about the corrosive nature of greed. The 'knave', upon finding himself in a position of abundance, experiences a cognitive narrowing where self-interest eclipses all social and familial bonds. It suggests that for some, the instinct to hoard resources overrides learned social behaviors like reciprocity and generosity.

Social and Communal Integrity

In a historical context where kinship and community were paramount for survival, the act of hoarding a resource like a tree full of fruit was a profound social transgression. The proverb serves as a powerful social condemnation, reinforcing the importance of communal bonds over individual gain and warning against those who would violate this essential social contract.

Rhetorical Devices

Symbolism

The 'knave' represents unscrupulousness and the 'plum tree' symbolizes rare opportunity and abundance. This central metaphor powerfully conveys the idea of a moral test.

Imagery

The vivid image of a lone figure jealously guarding a tree full of fruit creates a powerful and memorable picture of selfish hoarding.

Hyperbole

The absolute statement 'neither friend nor kin' is a form of exaggeration that underscores the totality of the knave's selfishness and his complete abandonment of all social obligations.