🔧 Cobbler, Stick to Your Last 🖌️
Meaning: Don’t advise about or interfere with matters beyond your expertise.
Origins and Storytime 📜
This tried-and-true piece of wisdom dates back to ancient Greece, where a renowned painter named Apelles dabbled in his olive-hued masterpieces. One day, a shoemaker scrutinized the shoe in one of his paintings, pointing out an error. Apelles appreciated the feedback and fixed it. Emboldened, the shoemaker critiqued the depiction of a leg the next day, but Apelles retorted, “Shoemaker, do not go above your last.” Here, ‘last’ refers to the mold for making or repairing shoes, meaning everyone should stick to what they know.
This anecdote trickled into various translations, including John Taverner’s rendition in Erasmus’s works as “Let not the shoemaker go beyonde his shoe.” Although “cobblers” may be a bit of a relic in modern America, the lesson endures beautifully.
Related Terms and Similar Expressions 🔄
Synonyms:
- Mind your own business
- Stay in your lane
- Don’t overstep your expertise
- Stick to what you know
Antonyms:
- Generalist
- Jack of all trades
- All-purpose advisor
Humorous Quotes 😂
“I always advise people: Don’t overload with knowledge. You can sell bull too if you have convincingly wise looks.” – Fictitious wise man, Tacitus Tackierung
“You can’t be an expert at something you’ve never tried. Unless, of course, it’s theorizing why your cake won’t rise.” – A Baker’s Lament
Proverbs and Wisdom 🧠
- “An expert at everything is a master of none.”
- “He that would learn to pray, let him go to sea.”
- “Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs.” (Meaning don’t presume to teach someone something they already know well.)
Literary Suggestions 📚
- “Erasmus’ Adages” by Erasmus - Dive deep into the wealth of wisdom, proverbs, and sayings of the past.
- “Allegory and Visual Narrative – Apelles and Ancient Greek Painting” by Danae Hrisikou - Unearth the rich history of Apelles and the art that sparked the famous phrase.
- “Profiles of Courage” by John F. Kennedy - Explore the rich narrative of individuals mastering their craft and bravely sticking to their domains.
Films to Watch 🎬
- “Good Will Hunting” - Appreciate the brilliance of sticking to your strengths and the beauty of discovering them.
- “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” - A delve into mastery and perfection in one’s craft, epitomized by Jiro, the legendary sushi chef.
Spark your Curiosity! 🌟
What new craft or area of expertise will you celebrate next? By understanding our boundaries and playing to our strengths, the possibilities are endless!
Quizzes to Enjoy 🧩
Farewell Thought 🌅
Immerse yourself in the joy of knowing where you excel and witness the world expanding through the mastery of a few, fine-tuned skills.
Happy Mastering!
