Do not criticize or slander another if you are vulnerable to retaliation. Cf. [c 1385 Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 867] Who that hath an hed of verre [glass], Fro cast of stones war hym in the werre!
Whose house is of glasse, must not throw stones at another.
[1640 G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 196]
Thee shouldst not throw Stones, who hast a Head of Glass thyself. ‥Thee canst have no Title to Honesty who lendest the writings to deceive Neighbour Barter.
[1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act II. lv.]
He who lives in a glass house, says a Spanish proverb, should never begin throwing stones.
[1778 T. Paine in Pennsylvania Packet 22 Oct. i.]
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. ‥Mr. Robarts's sermon will be too near akin to your lecture to allow of his laughing.
[1861 Trollope Framley Parsonage I. vi.]
Judea and Samaria district police jointly determined that the accidental crash was caused by the stone-throwing young men. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
[2001 W. Northcutt Darwin Awards II i. 16]
Related to: hypocrisy; self-preservation; slander
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
