Meaning & Analysis
He runs away quickly, or flees from danger or responsibility.
Insights
Escape from Danger
The proverb metaphorically describes a hasty retreat, often from physical danger, conflict, or an unpleasant situation. It highlights the instinct for self-preservation over confrontation.
Avoidance of Responsibility
It can also represent evasion of obligations or duties, such as fleeing from debt or accountability, pointing to the broader human tendency to avoid facing difficult consequences.
Pragmatism over Bravado
The phrase may be used approvingly or disapprovingly, recognizing that discretion or pragmatism—choosing to run instead of fight—can be a form of wisdom or cowardice, depending on context.
Euphemism and Humor
The proverb employs a euphemism—'a fair pair of heels'—to soften or even add humor to the act of fleeing, making it a socially palatable way to reference cowardice or tactical retreat.
Cultural and Literary Usage
The saying appears throughout early modern English literature, including Shakespeare, who uses it both literally and figuratively to explore themes of courage, shame, and practicality.
Moral Ambiguity
Whether running away is viewed as sensible or shameful depends on circumstances—sometimes survival and prudence are virtues, at other times, society judges escape harshly as dishonorable.
Economic Allusion
Annotations and quotations link the phrase to bankrupts—those who abscond to avoid creditors—showing its application to financial as well as physical flight.
Rhetorical Devices
Euphemism
The phrase 'fair pair of heels' disguises the unheroic act of fleeing, lending an air of wit or lightness to the admission of escape.
Visual Metaphor
By focusing on the departing heels, the proverb creates a vivid, almost comic image of someone running away, reinforcing its memorability.
Alliteration
The repeated 'f' and 'h' sounds in 'fair pair of heels' enhance rhythm and recall.
Transcription
Quotations
Except her mayde shewe a fayre payre of heles, She haleth hir by the booy rope.
The valyaunt Souldioure hadde rather truste to the force of hys armes .. than in the fielde a fayre payre of heeles to shew.
He showes them a faire pair of heeles, and away goeth he.
Were wee not bound, wee would showe a faire payre of heeles.
After three or four good brushes, he shewe a faire payre of heeles.
To fly, and never pay a debt, to shew a fair pair of heels for't.
(He hath shewn them).
Shakespeare Citations
Darest thou . . play the coward with thy indenture and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it?
Cross References
Annotations
- A bankrupt.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.