Meaning & Analysis
In a difficult or dangerous situation (literal passage, like a crossing or a risky place), show respect to your companion—often by inviting them to go ahead, either out of courtesy or, ironically, self-preservation.
Insights
Courtesy in Adversity
Suggests the maintenance of politeness and deference even when circumstances are challenging, emphasizing that social manners persist under duress.
Self-Preservation and Irony
Carries an undercurrent of irony: the act of ‘honoring’ by letting another go first may be motivated more by caution or self-interest than genuine respect.
Testing of Character
Implied that true character is revealed not in easy situations, but in moments of risk or trial—how one treats others during hardship is a mark of virtue or duplicity.
Historical Symbolism
The scenario of yielding the way at a perilous crossing is common in early modern literature and folklore, reflecting both genuine rural courtesy and a sly social commentary on the interplay of manners and self-preservation.
Literary and Cultural Resonance
Shakespeare and his contemporaries often satirized the ritual of 'straining courtesy,' exposing the tension between outward civility and inner motives—a dynamic familiar in English social history.
Psychological Dimensions
Uncovers the psychological ambivalence at the heart of politeness: is it altruism, fear, or both? The proverb highlights our tendency to mask self-interest with the language of honor.
Rhetorical Devices
Irony
The core 'honor' in the proverb is often tinged with irony, since the polite gesture may conceal selfish intent, enriching the saying with a double edge.
Antithesis
Juxtaposes the high moral language of 'honor' with the dangerous or 'ill' setting, intensifying the proverb's subtle wit.
Ellipsis
The brevity omits explicit motives, leaving the audience to infer whether the gesture is truly honorable or expedient.
Transcription
Quotations
Euery one horse [before an impassible slough] geuyng an other the way. Of good manner as it were, and more and more, Eche horse gaue backe, to set his better before.
Hence to the gallowes knaue. —What softe and faire sir, I pray you, I prae sequar, you are mine elder.
Traueling by the waie, in winter time, honour your companion, so shall you auoid falling into dangerous places.
In an ill passage honour thy companion. Let him go first.
To do honour to ones companyon at an ill passage, viz. to be willing that ones companyon should lead the way, where the way is difficult and dangerous.
Shakespeare Citations
Finding their enemy to be so curst, They all strain court'sy who shall cope him first.
I'll follow you unto the death. —Nay, I would have you go before me thither. —Our country manners give our betters way.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.