Latin, Vietnamese Proverbs, and the Timeless Wisdom of Knowing One’s Limits
Latin: The Language of Authority
As Western jurists, we are often drawn to Latin. Its precision, elegance, and historical authority give it an enduring appeal. Many foundational legal principles trace back to ancient Rome, and the Romans distilled complex concepts into proverbs—brief, memorable expressions capable of conveying profound wisdom.
Ne sutor ultra crepidam
“The shoemaker should not go beyond his shoes.”
In essence, do not speak—or act—beyond your knowledge. English equivalents include “Stick to your knitting” or “Jack of all trades, master of none”. German: Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten. Spanish: Zapatero a tus zapatos. Even in Vietnam, proverbs reflect similar wisdom, though with unique cultural nuances.
Highlight: Latin maxim = restraint in speech; Vietnamese proverbs often broaden this to include social and moral awareness.
Vietnamese Proverbs: Awareness, Humility, and Social Prudence
Vietnamese proverbs emphasise self-awareness, humility, and ethical conduct:
Biết thân biết phận
“Know your body / know your condition.”
This saying encourages reflection: understand your abilities, limits, and position in society. Unlike the Latin proverb, which is corrective, this is philosophical and reflective.
Some Vietnamese proverbs are sharper:
Ăn mày đòi ăn xôi gấc
“A beggar asking for xôi gấc (luxurious sweet rice).”
Takeaway: Do not overreach; moral and social boundaries matter.
Other vivid sayings include:
- Chuột chù đeo đạc … không tự biết thân biết phận mình
“The mole wearing a bell… does not know its own condition.” – Vanity and pretension are cautioned against. - Chưa đỗ ông nghè đã đe hàng tổng
“Before passing the civil examination, one already threatens the village.” – Premature authority is criticised. - Thắng không kiêu, bại không nản
“Win without arrogance, lose without despair.” – Humility in success and failure.
Speaking Only When Prepared
Vietnamese proverbs closely mirror Ne sutor ultra crepidam:
Biết thì thưa thốt, không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe
“If you know, speak; if you do not, lean on the post and listen.”
Other proverbs emphasise preparedness:
- Nói có sách, mách có chứng
“Speak with books, point with evidence.” – Knowledge must be grounded in proof. - Học ăn, học nói, học gói, học mở
“Learn to eat, to speak, to wrap, to open.” – Communication is a skill requiring preparation.
Highlight: Vietnamese culture combines epistemic caution with ethical reflection.
Warnings Against Overreach
Humour and vivid imagery are used to warn against imprudence:
- Chưa biết mèo bắt chuột, đã đòi ăn gan hùm
“Before knowing how to catch mice, you already demand tiger liver.” – Over-ambition. - Điếc không sợ súng
“The deaf fear no gun.” – Ignorance emboldens action. - Ếch ngồi đáy giếng
“The frog at the bottom of the well.” – Limited perspective; false confidence. - Biết một nói mười
“Knowing one, saying ten.” – Excessive speech without knowledge.
Takeaway: These lessons remain relevant in the era of social media, where confident opinions often travel faster than expertise.
Comparative Insights: Latin, European, and Vietnamese Proverbs
| Origin / Language | Proverb / Saying | Literal Translation / Equivalent | Meaning / Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latin | Ne sutor ultra crepidam | “The shoemaker should not go beyond his shoes” | Do not speak or act beyond your knowledge; restraint in opinion. |
| English | “Stick to your knitting” / “Jack of all trades, master of none” | – | Focus on what you know; avoid overextension. |
| German | Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten | “Shoemaker, stick to your last” | Same principle; stay within your expertise. |
| Spanish | Zapatero a tus zapatos | “Shoemaker to your shoes” | Do not comment or act beyond your domain. |
| Vietnamese | Biết thân biết phận | “Know your body / know your condition” | Understand your place, abilities, and limits; reflective and philosophical. |
| Vietnamese | Ăn mày đòi ăn xôi gấc | “A beggar asking for xôi gấc” | Critiques overreach; moral/social judgement. |
| Vietnamese | Chuột chù đeo đạc … không tự biết thân biết phận mình | “The mole wearing a bell… does not know its own condition” | Vanity and pretension; overstepping boundaries. |
| Vietnamese | Chưa đỗ ông nghè đã đe hàng tổng | “Before passing the civil exam, one already threatens the village” | Premature authority; overreaching. |
| Vietnamese | Thắng không kiêu, bại không nản | “Win without arrogance, lose without despair” | Humility and self-awareness in success and failure. |
| Vietnamese | Biết thì thưa thốt, không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe | “If you know, speak; if not, lean on the post and listen” | Closest equivalent to Ne sutor ultra crepidam; speak with knowledge, listen when ignorant. |
| Vietnamese | Nói có sách, mách có chứng | “Speak with books, point with evidence” | Speak only when well-informed; ethical discourse. |
| Vietnamese | Học ăn, học nói, học gói, học mở | “Learn to eat, to speak, to wrap, to open” | Communication requires preparation and discipline. |
| Vietnamese | Chưa biết mèo bắt chuột, đã đòi ăn gan hùm | “Before knowing how to catch mice, you already demand tiger liver” | Critiques overambition. |
| Vietnamese | Điếc không sợ súng | “The deaf fear no gun” | Ignorance leads to imprudent boldness. |
| Vietnamese | Ếch ngồi đáy giếng | “The frog at the bottom of the well” | Limited perspective; false confidence. |
| Vietnamese | Biết một nói mười | “Knowing one, saying ten” | Critiques over-talking without understanding. |
Highlight: Vietnamese proverbs extend the principle of restraint to ethical, social, and moral dimensions.
Modern Applications
- Social media: Opinions spread faster than expertise.
- Workplace: Overstepping roles can cause friction.
- Personal growth: Humility and self-awareness enhance decision-making.
Wisdom begins with recognising your limits. Speak with understanding, act with prudence, and sometimes, silence is the most eloquent response.
Conclusion
Across centuries and continents, the message is consistent: wisdom begins with recognising one’s boundaries.
Biết thì thưa thốt, không biết thì dựa cột mà nghe is more than the Vietnamese equivalent of Ne sutor ultra crepidam: it reflects centuries of insight into knowledge, humility, and conduct. In a world where every voice can be amplified instantly, the greatest mastery may lie not in speaking, but in knowing when to listen.
Key Takeaways:
- Know your limits—intellectually, socially, and ethically.
- Speak only when you are informed; listen when you are not.
- Humility and prudence are timeless virtues across cultures.
- Overreach—whether in words, actions, or ambitions—often brings social, ethical, or personal consequences.