To Cast Pearls Before Swine – बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं

The idiom “to cast pearls before swine” means to offer something valuable to someone who does not appreciate or understand its worth. This expression is used when valuable resources, advice, or efforts are wasted on someone who cannot recognize or appreciate them.

Meaning:

• “To cast pearls before swine” refers to the act of offering something precious or important to someone who is unworthy of it or does not have the ability to understand its value.
• The phrase suggests futility, implying that the person on the receiving end does not have the capacity to appreciate or use the valuable thing being offered, much like giving pearls to pigs, who cannot understand their worth.

Used When:

• When someone provides advice, help, or a gift to someone who doesn’t appreciate or value it.
• To describe an effort that has been wasted because the person receiving it is not capable of recognizing its importance.
• To caution against wasting your time or energy on individuals who cannot benefit from what you offer.

Implied Message:
The idiom implies that it is pointless to offer valuable things (whether it’s advice, resources, or opportunities) to those who are unable or unwilling to appreciate them. It encourages wisdom in choosing who to help, as not everyone can see or use what is being offered.

Hindi Equivalent:
“बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं” (अर्थ: किसी बेवकूफ या अप्रत्याशित व्यक्ति को कोई महत्वपूर्ण चीज देना, जिससे वह उसे समझ न सके)

Detailed Explanation
The idiom “to cast pearls before swine” is based on the image of casting pearls (which are valuable and rare) to swine (pigs), who cannot recognize the value of pearls. Swine are interested in mud and food, not in precious gems, so offering them pearls would be a wasted effort. Similarly, offering something meaningful or valuable to a person who cannot see its worth is equally futile.

This idiom is often used as a warning or advice that certain things are only valuable when appreciated by the right person. Offering wisdom, love, or effort to someone who cannot recognize or use it may not yield any positive results.

Example Sentences:
English: “Don’t waste your time explaining philosophy to him; he’s just not interested. You’re casting pearls before swine.”
Hindi: “उसे दर्शनशास्त्र समझाने में अपना समय मत बर्बाद करो; उसे कोई रुचि नहीं है। तुम बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं कर रहे हो।”

English: “She’s always giving advice to people who don’t listen. It’s like casting pearls before swine.”
Hindi: “वह हमेशा उन्हे सलाह देती रहती है जो सुनते ही नहीं। यह तो जैसे बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं करना है।”

Key Takeaways:

• “To cast pearls before swine” means to offer something valuable to someone who is unable to appreciate it.
• The idiom highlights the pointlessness of offering help, advice, or valuable things to people who don’t have the capacity to recognize their worth.
• It warns against wasting effort on people who won’t appreciate or use what’s given to them.

Origin of the Idiom:
The phrase “to cast pearls before swine” originates from the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew 7:6, which says:
“Do not give what is holy to dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
This scripture advises not to share sacred or valuable things with those who cannot understand or respect them. It is a metaphorical warning against wasting valuable resources or effort on those who will not appreciate them.

Real-World Examples:

In Personal Life:
English: “He spent so much time trying to teach his brother about responsibility, but his brother didn’t care at all. It felt like he was casting pearls before swine.”
Hindi: “उसने अपने भाई को जिम्मेदारी सिखाने में बहुत समय बिताया, लेकिन उसके भाई को कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ा। ऐसा लगता था जैसे वह बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं कर रहा था।”

In Professional Contexts:
English: “Stop explaining things to him. He’s not interested in learning. You’re casting pearls before swine.”
Hindi: “उसे चीजें समझाना बंद करो। उसे सीखने में कोई रुचि नहीं है। तुम बन्दर को मोती की कदर नहीं कर रहे हो।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When offering something of value to someone who is incapable or unwilling to appreciate it.
• To express frustration over wasted effort or time given to people who don’t value it.
• To criticize someone for not recognizing the importance of something valuable offered to them.