Cast Pearls Before Swine
The saying “cast pearls before swine” came from a Bible verse, and means that it is in vain to give valuable things to someone who don’t understand the value.
豚に真珠
The Japanese translation version “buta ni shinju” (pearls to swine), which has the same meaning, is also famous in Japan.
「Cast pearls before swine」ということわざは聖書の一節から来ており、価値のわからない人に価値のあるものを与えても無駄であることを意味します。
Actually, there is the other saying “neko ni koban,” (oval gold coind to cats) which has completely the same meaning of “cast pearls before swine” in Japan.
日本語訳の「豚に真珠」も同じ意味であり、日本でも有名なことわざです。
Since Japanese versions have no verbs, it might be a little difficult to understand with no background information.
実は全く同じ意味のことわざとして、「猫に小判」があります。
Also, as other sayings that mean ineffective things, there are “inu ni rongo” (Analects to dogs), “uma no mimi ni nenbutsu” (Buddhist chants to horse’s ears), and “kaeru no tsura ni mizu” (water to frog’s faces).
日本語版には動詞が無いので、予備知識無しに意味を理解するのは少し難しいかもしれません。
You can see a variety of animals in Japanese sayings.
また、無駄であることを意味することわざは他にも「犬に論語」「馬の耳に念仏」「蛙の面に水」などがあります。
