Talk:cast pearls before swine


 * moving comment from main page - 21:56, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

Dogs and swine being euphimisms for attitudes and behavior of people unable to discern vanity from wisdom, instruction, and understanding: Cf: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, 2 Corinthians 11: 19: The wise are not to suffer_fools_gladly. [comment made on main page by User:Bwildasi]

Okay, since my comment was immediately put here, I'll give it a go. The modern sense is now 180 degrees in opposite meaning of the original Bible texts, such as being snooty, or intolerant of others. Perls mean 'teaching', 'counsel', or even 'advice' that is exceedingly precious, as obtaining it from experience involves immense suffering. Dogs and swine are defined by their actions: vicious dogs turn on and literally tear the victim to pieces, swine trample under foot. Both actions are known today as 'The School of Hard Knocks". The saying is a favorite in academia among those with credentials to 'teach lessons' and assign a value (pass-fail, A-B-C-D-F) to a novice's understanding of the instruction.