Meaning & Analysis
To provide cushions or pillows for someone’s elbows—literally, to make them comfortable or ease their position.
Insights
Indulgent Flattery
The proverb metaphorically refers to flattering, coddling, or indulging someone, especially by telling them only what they wish to hear or shielding them from discomfort, criticism, or hard truths.
Encouraging Complacency
It also signifies enabling laziness, self-deception, or moral weakness by making things too easy, thus preventing growth, challenge, or accountability.
False Comfort
The act represents offering comfort or reassurance that is ultimately unhelpful or deceitful—providing a sense of ease that masks underlying problems or dangers.
Biblical Origin and Moral Warning
Originating in Ezekiel 13:18, the phrase was used to criticize false prophets who lulled people into complacency with soothing lies. The moral force is directed at those who enable wrongdoing by cushioning others from the consequences of their actions.
Cultural and Literary Influence
From the 16th century onward, the proverb was invoked to critique sycophants, flatterers, or counselors who offered only easy answers. Its resonance persists in discussions of leadership, education, and personal integrity.
Psychological Implications
The proverb touches on the danger of living in a comfort zone constructed by others’ praise or protection. It critiques the psychology of avoidance, warning against the allure of comfort at the expense of truth or necessary hardship.
Rhetorical Devices
Biblical Allusion
The phrase’s foundation in Scripture adds moral weight and authority, making its application particularly forceful in religious or ethical contexts.
Metaphor
Uses a domestic, tactile image—pillows cushioning elbows—to vividly convey the idea of emotional or intellectual indulgence.
Irony
There is implicit irony in the negative consequences of what appears to be a kindly or gentle act, as comfort here is revealed as a form of harm.
Transcription
Quotations
One flattereth an other in hys owne folly, and layeth cushions vnder the elbowe.
These flatterers are resembled to those which put a pillow under our heads, and delicate and soft Feathers under our bodies to make us sleepe.
He must lay a pillow vnder his head, when he would put a targette in his hand.
Players .. pynne Cushions vnder the elbowes of young wits.
You sow pillows under Harvey's elbows.
I must sleep out my anger, and endure it, Sow pillows to her ease.
Thou man of sin and shame, that sewest cushions Unto the elbows of iniquity.
Softly with art, as we were sowing pillowes Vnder the Patient elbowes.
To humour one, and say as he says, by way of abuse, to sow pillows under ones elbows.
No, Mrs. Joyner, you cannot sew Pillows Under Folks elbows . . You cannot tickle a Trout to take him.
Bible Citations
Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.