Meaning & Analysis
If a person says or does whatever they please without restraint, they will inevitably have to listen to or experience things they find unpleasant in return.
Insights
Unrestrained Speech and Retaliation
The proverb serves as a powerful warning about the direct consequences of unfiltered speech. It suggests that words have tangible repercussions, and speaking without consideration for others' feelings or social norms will provoke unwelcome criticism and hostility.
Action and Consequence
More broadly, the proverb illustrates the universal law of action and reaction in social dynamics. Impulsive, selfish, or harmful actions ('what he would') naturally generate negative consequences ('what he would not'), serving as a reminder that one cannot act in a vacuum.
The Price of Freedom
It highlights the inherent limits of personal freedom. The 'freedom' to say whatever one desires is not freedom from the consequences of that speech. True social freedom requires self-regulation and an awareness of how one's words and actions impact others.
Cycle of Provocation
The proverb describes a predictable cycle of provocation. Speaking or acting offensively is an act of aggression that invites an equal or greater retaliatory response. It cautions that initiating conflict will result in becoming a target of it.
Classical Roots
Originating from classical antiquity, as evidenced by citations from Erasmus and Terence, the proverb reflects a timeless Roman emphasis on decorum and self-restraint in public discourse. It serves as a foundational principle of social conduct passed down through generations.
Mechanism of Social Control
The proverb functions as a concise tool for social regulation, teaching the unwritten rules of civility. It warns that violating social norms through unchecked speech or actions inevitably invites corrective, and often harsh, feedback from the community.
Psychological Reciprocity
The proverb taps into the fundamental psychological principle of negative reciprocity. It highlights how impulsive, inconsiderate, or offensive communication triggers an equally negative reaction, demonstrating a universal human tendency to return hostility with hostility.
Critique of Arrogance
This wisdom serves as a timeless caution against the arrogance of believing one can speak or act without consequence. It underscores that personal freedom is intrinsically linked to social responsibility, and ignoring this connection leads to predictable conflict.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
The proverb is built on a stark antithesis between desired action ('what he would') and undesired consequence ('what he would not'), creating a memorable and forceful statement about cause and effect.
Parallelism
The parallel structure ('He who says... he [hears]...') creates a rhythmic, balanced, and logical formulation that reinforces the direct and inescapable link between the action and its reaction.
Aphorism
The proverb functions as a concise and memorable aphorism. Its brevity makes it easy to recall and deploy as a piece of social wisdom or a direct rebuke for inconsiderate behavior.
Transcription
Quotations
Qui quae vult dicit, quae non vult audiet.
He that dothe otherwyse than he ought to do hereth that we wolde be lothe of.
He that speaketh what he woll, shall heare what he woll not.
But yet (as Terence sayeth) who speaketh what he liste, muste heare what he listeth not.
Enquire no farther then beseemeth you, least you heare that which can-not like you.
It is verie true, that he which saieth what pleaseth him, heareth that which displeaseth him.
Nay, since they say what they liste, they shall heare what they list not.
He that shutteeth not his mouth, doth often times heere that whiche hee woulde not.
If thou speake what thou wilt, thou shalt heare what thou wouldest not.
He that speaks the thing he should not hears the thing he wold not.
He that will do, my lord, what he should not, Must and shall heare of me what he would not.
(He that askes what he should not, heares).
Who says what he lists, hears what is against his will.
He that speaks the things he should not, hears the things he would not.
[As in a.1598 Ferg.].
He that speaks the Thing he should not, shall hear the Thing he would not.
[As in 1721 Kel.].
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.