Meaning & Analysis
Refers to the quiet, unobtrusive way a weaver (webster) was perceived to move, often hunched and pale from working indoors. The word 'stealing' primarily suggests stealthy movement, but also hints at the act of theft, as noted in the 1721 quotation.
Insights
Inconspicuous Survival
Describes a mode of living that is deliberately quiet and unnoticed, a form of self-preservation through obscurity or humility in a world of overt threats.
Cunning and Deceit
Plays on the double meaning of 'stealing' to suggest a life of quiet dishonesty or cunning. Like a weaver subtly manipulating threads, it implies achieving gains through sly, almost imperceptible means rather than honest, open work.
Social Marginalization
Symbolizes the experience of being on the fringes of society. The weaver, often a low-status artisan, moves 'through' the world but not fully within its centers of power, representing a peripheral and overlooked existence.
Artisan Stereotypes
The proverb draws on historical stereotypes of weavers as being physically slight from indoor work and, at times, dishonest in their trade. Guild records from the period often dealt with regulations against weavers using inferior materials or giving short measure, reflecting the economic anxieties embedded in this image.
The Ambiguity of 'Stealing'
The power of the proverb lies in the dual meaning of 'stealing'. The 1721 annotation by Kelly explicitly highlights this wordplay, which was a popular feature of wit in the 17th and 18th centuries. It forces the listener to consider both physical stealth and moral transgression simultaneously.
Psychology of the Underdog
This simile captures the mindset of someone who feels powerless and must rely on wit and stealth rather than direct confrontation. It reflects a psychological adaptation to a world where one is not a dominant player, making a virtue or a necessity of being overlooked.
Rhetorical Devices
Ambiguity (Pun)
The central verb 'stealing' masterfully carries a double meaning of both moving stealthily and committing theft, creating a rich, layered interpretation.
Simile
The proverb is an explicit comparison, using 'As the...' to link a type of person or behavior directly to the symbolic figure of the weaver.
Symbolism
The 'webster' (weaver) serves as a potent symbol for a marginalized artisan whose craft is intricate and whose social position is ambiguous, embodying themes of both quiet diligence and potential deceit.
Transcription
Quotations
I am even stealing throw the world lyk ane wobster.
*Stealing in this Proverb has a double Signification.
Annotations
- weavers
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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