Meaning & Analysis
A person carrying a two-part wallet slung over their shoulder cannot see the portion that hangs behind their back.
Insights
Blindness to Self-Fault
The proverb is a metaphor for the human tendency to be acutely aware of the faults of others while remaining completely oblivious to one's own. Our own flaws are carried in the unseen 'wallet' on our back, while others' faults are in the one in front, always in view.
Critique of Hypocrisy
It serves as a critique of hypocrisy and hasty judgment. By highlighting our inability to see our own failings, it cautions against the arrogance of criticizing others for the very same flaws we may unknowingly possess.
The Unconscious Self
The 'wallet behind' symbolizes the aspects of our character and behavior that are hidden from our own consciousness. It suggests that a significant part of our identity is unexamined and operates as a blind spot, shaping our actions without our awareness.
Classical and Fable Origins
Rooted in Aesop's fables and popularized by Erasmus, the proverb uses the classical symbol of the 'mantica' (a double-ended sack) to represent a divided human consciousness, highlighting a timeless critique of moral hypocrisy that predates and parallels similar biblical injunctions.
Cross-Cultural Resonance
The proverb's central theme resonates strongly with the biblical warning, 'You can see a mote in another man's eye but cannot see a beam in your own' (M1191), demonstrating a cross-cultural and trans-historical understanding of the human tendency toward hypocritical judgment.
Psychological Insight
This proverb serves as a powerful metaphor for psychological projection and cognitive bias. The 'wallet behind' symbolizes the unconscious mind, where personal flaws are stored, unseen by the self but often visible to others, illustrating our natural tendency to be blind to our own shortcomings.
Rhetorical Devices
Symbolism
The two-sided 'wallet' is a powerful symbol dividing the self into the perceived (others' faults) and the unperceived (one's own faults), making an abstract psychological concept tangible and memorable.
Metaphor
The entire proverb functions as a concise metaphor for the psychological phenomenon of projection and the common human failing of self-ignorance.
Antithesis
The proverb's structure rests on the implicit contrast between what is seen (in front) and what is unseen (behind), creating a sharp antithesis that drives home its moral point about perception and blindness.
Transcription
Quotations
Sed non videmus manticae, quod in tergo est.
We loke not what is in the wallet behynde. Esope the wryter of fables feyned that euery man and woman hath a wallet whereof the one parte hanged before vs on oure brest, and the other behynde vs on oure shoulders. But into the syde which hangeth before our eyen we put other mens faultes, and oure owne faultes we put in the part behynde. By this he sygnifieth that we wyl easely espy faultes in other men, but at our owne we be wont to wynke.
Euphues thinketh them [love sleights] to hang at Venus back in a budget, which bicause hee can-not see, hee will not set downe.
(what sits on our shoulder).
[As in 1616 Withals].
Other mens sins wee euer beare in mind; None sees the fardell of his faults behind.
The crumpshouldered sees not his bunch, yet he sees that of his companions.
Nobody sees the sack which is behind him.
Happy Tom Crump ne'er sees his own Hump.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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