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by Anonymous on October 7th, 2009
Pearls before swine
Meaning:
Items of quality offered to those who aren't cultured enough to appreciate them.
Origin:
From the Bible, Matthew 7:6 (King James Version):
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet."
Source: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/280300.html
+5
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on October 7th, 2009
You don't give something of great value to someone who won't value it and will ruin it.
It may not have originated with Jesus, but he certainly used the phrase, as it recorded in Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
by Mastodon on October 7th, 2009
It mean's do not give/tell uncultured people things they will not appreciate.
For e.g. "Don't quote Shakespeare when you're around a bunch of high school drop-outs"
by Chicago Lady on October 7th, 2009
I was always taught that the phrase "don't cast pearls before swine" meant not to reveal too much about yourself to those who would use it against you, and not to share precious information or belongings with people who will not properly care for them.
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on October 7th, 2009
Handing something of value over to a person who has no gratitude or idea of how to value the gift.
by aydeology on October 7th, 2009
don't watse your time and talents on people who can't/won't appreciate it.
unfortunately many people in positions of authority behave as the swine.
by RosieGHM Jetpacker on October 7th, 2009
Pigs eat slop...why waste pearls on them?
by Anonymous on October 22nd, 2009
The full phrase is "casting pearls before swine" meaning to waste something valuable on one who does not appreciate it. +5
by Bob on October 7th, 2009
no, no, no, everybody's wrong but me!!!! "don't cast pearls before swine" means that you shouldn't throw pearls in front of pigs because they'll eat them, excrete them, and then, if you're desperate enough to sift through the feces to find your pearls, you're likely to contract swine flu!!! see, napoleon and "animal farm" will rise again! :)
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Comments
right again Mensan; and you beat me to it too +4
by Sir yhvhash on October 7th, 2009
My apologies.
.
Thanks for the "good sport" points.
by Anonymous on October 7th, 2009
I would have said worthy or able instead of cultured enough.
Remember the last phrase from the quotation: "...and turn again and rend you."
There's always an element of risk in attempting to enlighten the unworthy.
by Sandman on October 7th, 2009
...or in AB terms, gettin trolled for yer input?
by Sir yhvhash on October 7th, 2009
Exactly
by Sandman on October 17th, 2009
Oh, and Mensan, a P.S. To me, Bible MEANS King James, although I own a dozen different translations, including the original Greek NT, the Jerusalem, and the Catholic Douay-Confraternity. But King Jimmie was the world's standard for 350 years, and no other version can touch it when it comes to literary majesty of language.
by Sandman on October 17th, 2009
But "King Jimmie" exorcised too many books from the original text, such as the "Book of Enoch." It is called the "King Jimmie version," because it is HIS version, and it isn't a "good" one, at all.
by Anonymous on October 17th, 2009
I have a separate edition of the Apocrypha, a Jerusalem Bible, and a Douai. I just like the language of King Jim.
by Sandman on October 17th, 2009