Meaning & Analysis
Honesty is extremely valuable in principle, yet those who practice it often end up poor or unrewarded.
Insights
Virtue Versus Reward
Highlights the conflict between the ideal of honesty (‘a jewel’) and the harsh reality that straightforward people may be exploited or go unrewarded in a dishonest world.
Social Cynicism
Suggests a cynical view of society, implying that virtues like honesty are more admired in theory than in practice, and that the world does not materially reward integrity.
Early Modern Pragmatism
The proverb reflects the realpolitik of early modern England, where commercial ambition, courtly intrigue, and social climbing often favored cunning over candor. Its recurrence in plays and prefaces underscores widespread skepticism about the survival of honesty in a competitive world.
Paradoxical Morality
The structure of the proverb itself is paradoxical: it exalts plain dealing while simultaneously discouraging it, expressing an unresolved tension between moral ideals and social pragmatism.
Psychological Disillusionment
The proverb resonates with the psychological experience of those who have acted with integrity but suffered disadvantage or isolation, reinforcing a wary or guarded attitude toward complete openness.
Evolution of Social Values
The frequent repetition and adaptation of this proverb through the centuries mark a longstanding debate on whether society truly values honesty, or only pays it lip service.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
Contrasts the high value of plain dealing (‘a jewel’) with the low status of those who practice it (‘die beggars’), making the proverb memorable and striking.
Paradox
The proverb’s force lies in its paradoxical pairing of moral value and material loss, highlighting the complexity of ethical choices.
Metaphor
‘Jewel’ serves as a metaphor for virtue, enriching the proverb with imagery of rarity and beauty.
Transcription
Quotations
(though they that vse it commonly die beggars).
I speake plainely, for plaine dealing is a Iewell, and he that vseth it shal dye a beggar.
Plain dealing's a iewell, and I haue vs'd it so long, I am next door to a beggar.
They were plaine indeede, and thereof grew the prouerbe plaine dealing is a Iewell -But he that vseth it shall die a beggar.
If ever I us'd any plaine dealing, or were ever worth such a jewell, would I might like die a beggar.
(and he that useth it shall die a beggar).
That is but an hell-made prouerb; plain dealing is a iewel, but he who adheres to it shall die a beggar.
(but they that wear it, are out of Fashion).
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.