Cobbler, Stick to Your Last
“Do not advise about or interfere with matters of which you know little or nothing.”
This turn of phrase comes from an anecdote about a painter of ancient Greece named Apelles. One day, a shoemaker saw a painting of his and pointed out that the shoe in the picture was not accurately portrayed. The painter corrected that part of the picture. Then the next day, the shoemaker pointed out a mistake in the painting of a leg. But the painter replied, “Shoemaker, do not go above your last.” The story was repeated in various accounts and eventually made its way into John Taverner’s translation of Erasmus as “Let not the shoemaker go beyonde his shoe.” Although the cobbler’s day appears to be nearly over, at least in America, the cliché survives.
Related Terms & Similar Expressions
- Stay in your lane: Keep within the range of your own knowledge or competence.
- Mind your own beeswax: Another fun way of telling someone to focus on their own business.
- Jack of all trades, master of none: A person who can do many things well but is not an expert in any of them.
- Stick to your knitting: An alternative way to express the idea of staying within one’s own expertise.
Proverbs & Common Phrases
- Too many cooks spoil the broth: Reflecting the errors that arise when many people (especially inexpert ones) interfere in a single project.
- Dance with the one that brought you: Stick with what or who has been successful for you in the past.
Inspirational Quotes
“When you know your boundaries, you can gracefully respect others.” – Hypatia Harper
“Experts built the Titanic, amateurs built Noah’s ark.” – Anonymous
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Book: “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell - Understanding the power and limitations of expert intuition.
- Song: “Know Your Enemy” by Green Day - An energetic anthem about understanding your limitations.
- Poem: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost - A meditation on choices and expertise.
- Movie: “Good Will Hunting” - Reflecting the natural genius staying true to his skills, and the dynamics involved.
Intriguing and Engaging Titles
- 👟 “Stay in Your Shoes: Navigating Expertise with Grace”
- 🎨 “Mind Your Art: Lessons from Ancient Greece”
- 📚 “Expertly Yours: Embracing Your Inner Savant”
- ❌ “Notice, Don’t Comment: The Wisdom of Knowing Less”
Quizzes
✨ “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing whether or not to say it.” - T. T. Thoughtsworth
