First to Cast a Stone: The Not-So-Saintly Habit ⛏️
Definition:
To be quick to attack or criticize someone or something.
Origins:
The term originates from the Gospel of St. John, specifically 8:7. The story involves Jesus defending an adulteress against vindictive Pharisees and scribes who invoked Mosaic Law to demand her stoning. Jesus responded with the iconic line, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Implications:
The implication is that anyone who attacks or criticizes someone else is equally vulnerable to criticism themselves. It’s a call to self-examine before judging others.
Related Terms and Expressions:
- People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones: Those who are vulnerable should not attack others’ vulnerabilities.
- Pot calling the kettle black: Pointing out a flaw in someone else that you also possess.
- Judge not, lest ye be judged: A reminder to avoid judgment unless you want to be judged in return.
- Fools rush in where angels fear to tread: Those who are ignorant or foolish often act without consideration of the consequences.
Synonyms:
- Hypocritical attack
- Knee-jerk criticism
- Hasty judgment
- Condemnation
Antonyms:
- Fair assessment
- Constructive criticism
- Objective analysis
- Empathetic understanding
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“Throwing stones is hard work. It’s difficult to place them gently.” - Johnny Stonethrower
“The first stone’s the heaviest. After that, it’s just exercise.” - Grammy Condemnation
Proverbs:
- “Physician, heal thyself.”
- “Remove the beam out of thine own eye.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Songs: “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- Movies: The Judge (2014), starring Robert Downey Jr.
Quizzes
Farewell Thought 🌟
Before you cast your stones, dear reader, take a moment to reflect on the fragility of the glass home we all live in. Compassion and introspection can often disarm the harshest of judgments.
– Veronica R. Vocabulary
