Meaning & Analysis
Based on a historical practice, the proverb literally means that one could make a dog fierce and loyal, like a mastiff, by spitting in its mouth as a form of encouragement or bonding.
Insights
Inducement to Aggression
The act of spitting in someone's mouth symbolizes the use of cheap, contemptuous flattery or a trivial reward to incite a person to become an aggressive and loyal follower, essentially turning them into an 'attack dog'.
Dehumanizing Control
The proverb illustrates a form of dehumanizing control. By treating a person as one would a dog, the powerful figure asserts dominance and manipulates the individual into serving their purposes without offering any genuine respect or reward.
Creation of a Proxy
It serves as a metaphor for creating a proxy. A person is 'made a mastiff' to act aggressively on behalf of another, who can then remain detached from the ensuing conflict. The 'spit' is the small, almost cost-free investment to activate this proxy.
Historical Folk Belief
The proverb is rooted in a historical folk belief about animal husbandry, where spitting into a dog's mouth was thought to impart courage or loyalty. This act of transferring saliva was seen as a direct way to instill a master's spirit into an animal, making it fiercer and more obedient.
Critique of Patronage
This saying powerfully illustrates the cynical dynamics of social and political hierarchies. It depicts a patron-client relationship where the superior uses a demeaning, worthless gesture to manipulate a subordinate into becoming a loyal, aggressive enforcer of their will, highlighting the contempt inherent in such patronage.
Psychology of Manipulation
Psychologically, the proverb reveals how minimal but direct forms of acknowledgment from a person in power can inspire fierce loyalty and aggression in a subordinate. It preys on the human desire for recognition, showing that even a degrading token can be enough to secure allegiance.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The core of the proverb is a powerful metaphor where 'spitting in the mouth' represents demeaning encouragement and 'making a mastiff' signifies turning someone into a fierce, loyal subordinate.
Visceral Imagery
The act of spitting into a mouth creates strong, visceral, and repulsive imagery, which effectively underscores the contemptuous and degrading nature of the manipulation being described.
Simile
The parenthetical explanation '(as men do with dogs)' functions as an explicit simile, directly comparing the treatment of the person to that of an animal, which reinforces the theme of dehumanization.
Transcription
Quotations
I thinke those men of honour and worship, vse you as men vse their waterspaniels: that is, they make you their instrument to fetch and bringe vnto them such commodities, as you by the corrupting of your conscience may compasse, and . . for your labour they spitte in your mouth.
And if she meet but with my dog, she takes And strokes him on the head, playes with his eares, Spits in his mouth, and claps him on the backe. [1614]
The Lady, Win, that desir'd to spit i' the great Lawyers mouth, after an eloquent pleading? [1621]
That Morrico makes me spit in thy mouth, I dare not stay.
What's he? —A Spaniel. And scarce be spit i' the mouth for't. [1641]
What hath he done more than a troublesome base cur? barked and made a noise afar off; had a fool or two to spit in his mouth, and cherish him with a musty bone?
To spit into the mouth of a Dog and clap him on the back for encouragement, is not indecorous for the man, and gratefull also to the Dog.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.