When a MAN is full of lust his womb is full of leasing¹

Insights

Deception in Seduction

The proverb serves as a cynical commentary on the art of seduction, suggesting that romantic or sexual pursuit is fundamentally intertwined with dishonesty. Passionate declarations are presented not as genuine but as calculated falsehoods designed to achieve sexual conquest.

Unreliability of Passion

On a broader level, the proverb warns that any overwhelming passion or desire can corrupt one's capacity for truth. Lust is the primary example, but the underlying message is that intense emotional states make a person unreliable and prone to dishonesty.

Body and Morality

The proverb posits a direct link between the physical body and moral corruption. It implies that carnal desire ('lust') inevitably pollutes a person's character, causing them to produce lies ('leasing') as a natural byproduct.

Historical View of Seduction

The proverb reflects a cynical, historical perspective on courtship, framing male desire as inherently deceptive. The cross-reference to 'Jove laughs at lovers’ perjuries' underscores the idea that lies prompted by lust are so common as to be a trope, expected and even dismissed as a natural consequence of passion.

Gendered Metaphor

The use of 'womb' to describe a man's inner self is a striking and biologically paradoxical metaphor. It suggests that lies are not merely spoken but are conceived and gestated within the very core of a lustful man's being, emphasizing the deep-seated and 'natural' generation of falsehood from desire.

Psychology of Desire

The proverb captures the psychological reality that intense physiological drives, such as lust, can override rational judgment and moral integrity. It suggests a temporary suspension of ethics where the ends (gratification) justify the means (deception).

Rhetorical Devices

Metaphor

The proverb uses 'womb' as a powerful metaphor for the mind or soul, the place where thoughts and words are conceived. This creates a visceral image of lies being birthed from physical desire.

Parallelism

The parallel structure 'When...full of lust' and 'womb is full of leasing' creates a cause-and-effect relationship that is balanced, rhythmic, and easily memorable.

Archaism

The use of archaic terms like 'leasing' (lying) and the unconventional gendering of 'womb' firmly roots the proverb in a historical linguistic context, adding to its formal, aphoristic tone.