Casting pearls before swine

Definitions

• Waste something valuable on someone who is unable to appreciate or understand its worth
  To give something of high value or quality to someone who will not appreciate or understand it, resulting in it being wasted or unappreciated.

• Providing something to someone who is undeserving or unappreciative
  Giving something of value to someone who does not deserve it or will not appreciate it, resulting in it being wasted or not properly valued.

Examples of Casting pearls before swine

• She kept sharing her religious beliefs with her atheist coworkers, even though they didn't seem interested. It was like she was casting pearls before swine.

  The idiom "casting pearls before swine" refers to wasting valuable resources on people who are unlikely to appreciate or use them properly. In this example, the woman's religious beliefs could be seen as "pearls," and sharing them with uninterested coworkers could be seen as a waste of time and effort, as they may not value or understand the beliefs in the same way she does. The phrase "swine" in this context is not meant to be derogatory, but rather refers to people who are not receptive to the valuable resource being offered.

Conclusion

This idiom is commonly used to convey the idea of giving something valuable or important to someone who is unable to understand or appreciate its worth. It can also refer to providing something to someone who does not deserve it or will not properly value it. In both cases, the emphasis is on the idea of the valuable item being wasted or not fully appreciated.

Origin of "Casting pearls before swine"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Bible, specifically in the book of Matthew where Jesus says, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." This passage is often interpreted as a warning against sharing valuable or sacred knowledge with those who will not appreciate or understand it.

Over time, the phrase "casting pearls before swine" became a popular idiom in English, used to convey the same warning against wasting something valuable on those who are unable to appreciate or understand it. The use of "pearls" in this idiom symbolizes something of great value, while "swine" refers to pigs, which were seen as lowly and unclean animals in biblical times. This contrast between the precious pearls and the lowly swine adds emphasis to the idea of giving something important to someone who is undeserving or unable to appreciate it.