Meaning & Analysis
A declaration of absolute non-involvement in a matter. The phrase 'meddle nor make' is an idiomatic expression signifying a refusal to interfere, participate, or take any action in a particular situation.
Insights
Principled Non-Intervention
The proverb serves as a personal policy of deliberate non-intervention. It champions the idea that wisdom often lies in remaining an observer rather than becoming an actor in disputes or situations that do not directly concern oneself.
Boundary Setting
It functions as a clear and firm method for establishing personal or social boundaries. The statement effectively communicates that a particular issue is outside one's sphere of concern, responsibility, or authority, thereby warding off attempts to involve them.
Risk Aversion
The phrase embodies a strategy of risk aversion. By refusing to 'meddle or make', an individual actively avoids potential blame, conflict, or unforeseen negative consequences that can arise from entanglement in the affairs of others.
A Strategy for Survival
The proverb’s prevalence in the 16th and 17th centuries, as evidenced by the quotations from Lyly, Nashe, and Shakespeare, points to its utility in a period of intense social and political factionalism. Declaring non-involvement was a pragmatic, and sometimes necessary, strategy for self-preservation in environments where taking a side could have severe consequences.
Psychological Ambivalence
Psychologically, the phrase reveals a tension between the wisdom of non-interference and the potential for moral cowardice or apathy. It can be a prudent recognition of one's limits, but it can also serve as a justification for shirking responsibility or refusing to help when one could or should.
Rhetorical Force
The pairing of 'meddle' and 'make' is a classic example of a linguistic doublet or binomial pair, common in English proverbs. This rhetorical device adds rhythm and emphasis, making the declaration more forceful and memorable than simply saying 'I will not get involved'.
Rhetorical Devices
Hendiadys
The use of 'meddle' and 'make' together forms a hendiadys, where two words are used to express a single, intensified idea of 'interfering in any way'. This strengthens the speaker's resolve.
Alliteration
The alliteration of the 'm' sound creates a rhythmic, memorable phrase that is easy to recall and quote, enhancing its proverbial quality.
Declarative Tone
Structured as a firm, first-person declaration using the 'neither...nor' construction, the proverb carries a definitive and resolute tone, leaving no room for ambiguity about the speaker's intention to abstain.
Transcription
Quotations
If he either make or meddle with it.
But I will leaue Camilla, with whose loue I haue nothing to meddle, for that it maketh nothing to my matter.
If in speech you neither meddle nor make with hym.
They would neither make nor meddle with it.
He would not make nor meddell in the matter.
We are resolved neither to meddle nor make with her.
(I neither did).
Not to meddle or make with any thing.
I neither meddle nor make with them. I am not at all concern'd there.
(Quoth the young Cock, I'll neither).
I'll neither meddle nor make, said Bill Heaps when he spilled the butter-milk.
Shakespeare Citations
The less you meddle or make . . the more is for your honesty.
I vill teach a . . priest to meddle or make!
For my part, I'll not meddle nor make no farther.
For my part, I'll meddle nor make no more i' th' matter.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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