The idiom “Everything looks pale to the jaundiced eye” means:
✔ When someone is biased or negative, everything they see appears flawed or undesirable (जब कोई पक्षपाती या नकारात्मक होता है, तो उसे सब कुछ दोषपूर्ण या अप्रिय नजर आता है)
✔ People who are jaundiced (literally affected by a yellowish skin tone due to illness) tend to see everything with a yellowish tint, symbolizing how their perception is clouded (जो लोग पीलिया से प्रभावित होते हैं, वे सब कुछ पीले रंग में देखते हैं, यह इस बात का प्रतीक है कि उनका दृष्टिकोण प्रभावित होता है)
✔ A person who has a cynical or negative mindset may view even good things with suspicion (जो लोग नकारात्मक या संदेहास्पद मानसिकता रखते हैं, वे अच्छी चीजों को भी संदेह के साथ देखते हैं)
This phrase highlights how illness, bias, or negativity can affect a person’s perception of the world.
Hindi Equivalent:
“पीलिया वाले को सब पीला दिखता है” (To someone with jaundice, everything looks yellow)
“नकारात्मक सोच के साथ सब कुछ नकारात्मक लगता है” (With a negative mindset, everything seems negative)
“दृष्टिकोण में परिवर्तन के कारण सब कुछ अलग दिखता है” (Things look different due to a change in perspective)
Detailed Explanation
This idiom is used when:
✔ Someone is overly critical or has a biased view of the world
✔ Describing a situation where negativity clouds judgment
✔ Illustrating how a person’s viewpoint shapes how they see things, often leading to unfair judgments
Common contexts: Criticism, negative outlooks, bias in judgment, pessimism, and skepticism
Real-Life Examples
Cynical View
English: “No matter how much we praise the new movie, he won’t like it. Everything looks pale to the jaundiced eye.”
Hindi: “हम नए फिल्म की जितनी भी तारीफ करें, वह उसे पसंद नहीं करेगा। पीलिया वाले को सब पीला दिखता है।”
Criticizing Without Seeing the Positives
English: “She criticizes every new idea at work, always finding faults. Everything looks pale to the jaundiced eye.”
Hindi: “वह काम में हर नई योजना की आलोचना करती है, हमेशा दोष ढूँढ़ती है। पीलिया वाले को सब पीला दिखता है।”
Unfair Judgment
English: “He’s been hurt before, so now he thinks everyone will hurt him. Everything looks pale to the jaundiced eye.”
Hindi: “वह पहले चोट खा चुका है, इसलिए अब उसे लगता है कि हर कोई उसे चोट पहुँचाएगा। पीलिया वाले को सब पीला दिखता है।”
Psychological & Social Insight
Why This Phrase Matters:
✓ Highlights how negative or biased thinking can distort reality
✓ Reminds us to keep an open mind and avoid making judgments based on personal biases
✓ Acknowledges that some people are more prone to seeing the world in a negative light due to past experiences or mental health issues
When to Use This Phrase:
✔ When someone is overly critical or pessimistic
✔ To point out that a person’s negativity is clouding their judgment
✔ When addressing someone who is unable to see the good in situations due to their biases
Usage Tips
✔ Use it to describe biased or unfair criticism
✔ It’s often used in informal or observational contexts
✔ Be mindful of the person’s feelings — using it could unintentionally make someone feel defensive
Similar Expressions
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| “A rose-colored view” | “आलस्य से रंगी दृष्टि” |
| “Seeing the world through rose-colored glasses” | “गुलाबी चश्मे से दुनिया देखना” |
| “Can’t see the forest for the trees” | “पेडों के बीच जंगल नहीं देख पाना” |
Cultural Perspectives
Western View: Used to describe someone with a biased, often overly negative, view of the world, which can be caused by cynicism or pessimism
Indian Context: Often used to discuss how negative past experiences or personal struggles affect a person’s ability to see things clearly
Global Relevance: This idea of a biased or distorted perspective is recognized in many cultures, typically linked to criticism or pessimism
Reflection Questions:
- Can you recall a time when your judgment was clouded by negative thinking?
- How do you try to maintain an open mind when faced with challenging situations?
- What are the effects of negativity on your relationships and work life?
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