Tuesday, April 28, 2009

a wolf in sheep's clothing

Hmm, is this a wolf or a fox?

The discussion at the manor this past weekend centered around the
phrase "a wolf in sheep's clothing". You know the kind of individual
I'm talking about. They portray themselves to be a kind, honest
person, even hiding behind a strict set of morals, yet in reality are
totally the opposite.
.
As usual, it made me wonder about the etymology behind the phrase.
Did you know it all started as one of the fables of Aesop? According to
the fable, a hungry wolf found a sheep's fleece lying on the ground in a
field. The wolf realized that if it wore the fleece, it would look like a
sheep from a distance. He could steal a lamb for supper without the
shepherd noticing.

So, the wolf put on the fleece, and went off in search of a flock of
sheep. Just as it was about to pounce on a lamb, a shepherd came
by, looking for a sheep to slaughter for supper. Thinking the
disguised wolf was a sheep, the shepherd quickly grabbed and
killed the wolf.
.
The intended lesson was this: "Frauds and liars are always
discovered, eventually, and pay for their actions accordingly." The
moral is sometimes also told as, "The evil doer often comes to harm
through his own deceit".
.
The King James Version of the Bible, written in 1611 gives this
warning, in Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. But
Aesop is given original credit, since he wrote it sometime in the
620-560 BC range.
.
Today, in English, "a wolf in sheep's clothing" has become a common
metaphor for any hidden danger or for any enemy putting on a false
display of friendship.
.
On a lighter note, remember The Big Bad Wolf used this disguise
tactic in Disney's Three Little Pigs, in an attempt to fool Fifer and
Fiddler Pigs.

54 comments:

  1. Thank you for the education Willow, as always so wonderful.

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  2. The pigs always have made me nervous. You would think that a pig walking erect and building his own house would be wary of wolves. But no. Alas, without their folly, there would be no good story. Tomorrow, I'll keep my eyes peeled for wolves!

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  3. Hi Willow,
    I enjoyed your etymology lesson and I never knew that the 3 little pigs had names!!!
    Happy days and
    keep an eye out for that strange looking sheep...

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  4. Poor wolves, they have been badmouthed and kicked around forever. They were too clever for us, weren't they?

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  5. Should have figured Aesop. Did not know those pigs had names. Love, love the new header--is that the Manor's front door? It is beautiful; lucky, lucky you to have ivy and morning glories (yes?)!

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  6. as always, so insightful.
    Thank you for sharing your words, they are always appreciated.

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  7. This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures: LUKE 12:2

    " For there is nothing covered,that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known"

    I've seen this come true over and over. Even what we discussed today!
    The truth always comes out!

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  8. Aesop ought to be required reading in all schools. I know I was introduced to the fables when I was very young.

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  9. Totally enjoyed "a wolf in sheep's clothing." I love history. I had forgotten about the Sultana. Certainly, this was very sad time in our nations history. We too have family that served in this war. I guess most Americans did. It is amazing to read their letters and realize their sacrifices.

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  10. I'm familiar with that fable and the scripture verse.

    A few people come to mind that I have known, that fit into that 'wolf in sheeps clothing' category.

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  11. How wonderful! I must read the Aesop fable!

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  12. We have a person at the office like that. Even more dangerous - she is in a position of authority, so although we found her out long ago, we can't do much about it, except warn the newcomers...

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  13. I love the fables of Aesop and re-read them every now and then. I still remember the illustrations for The Fox and the Grapes. Important lessons in life. Loved this post.
    Catherine

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  14. I did not know know the little pigs had names, either. Your blog is so educational.

    As for the wolves, I have always been able to spot a fake sheep skin, with that little wolf tail hanging out the back. That "talent" has saved me a lot of grief.

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  15. Wolf or fox, that was the question?? Yes we have all been around those that SEEM to be too good to be true. When a wolf is not hungry there may be empathy. The stories of people in our lives cannot get to the wolf state if WE are smarter, faster and run at he first huff. We are not food and they are not a friend. Clearly.

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  16. Nice history lesson. Aesop certainly lived a long, long time ago. Did you make the little sheep skin costume? Very cute and creative!

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  17. There are so many wolves disguised like sheeps and many sheeps who can pretend to be wolves to be "cool".I guess we all have two sides in the same person.I know the kind of person you describe though unfortunately.Great post Willow,thank you.
    Have a nice day

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  18. We have a phrase in Spanish whose meaning is similar. I will do my best to translate it as clearly as possible: 'You catch a liar more quickly than you will a limping man'.

    I was familiar with the Aesop fable but not with the Bible reference. Many thanks for the post. I love it when you write about etymology and the cartoon brought back so many good memories.

    Ta muchly.

    Greetings from London.

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  19. I have a very old book of Aesop's Fables that I think you would probably love. I've not read it for years though.

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  20. That little dog in sheepskin outfit is hilarious! Did he know that he was supposed to look like that big mean wolf? ;-)

    Your clematis plant is taking over the house - beautiful, as is the white front door!

    Modern day wolf in sheep's clothing visits your blog often, gushing over your pictures - and then disappears from the scene. Later you discover that s/he liked your blog so much, s/he decided to emulate your blog idea. Never giving credit, of course. ;-)

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  21. 'What big teeth you have...' observes Little Red Riding Hood.

    I do love etymology - and Aesop's Fables. Thank you, Willow, for that insightful and fascinating post.

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  22. Human behavior hasn't changed much, right? I think the new term for it is "frenemy."

    Is your new header a recent picture? I can't believe the gorgeous, prolific purple clematis . . . wasn't it just winter there a few weeks ago??? (I have a similar one that is crimson red. It is just about to bloom.)

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  23. nice post. did not know the background on the saying. anything on snake in the grass? hope you have a great day!

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  24. "The King James Version of the Bible, written in 1611 gives this
    warning... But
    Aesop is given original credit, since he wrote it sometime in the
    620-560 BC range."

    Even if one were to say "but the book of Matthew was written long before 1611," it still doesn't beat something written roughly 600 years before the events of the New Testament. So does that mean that the "wolf in sheep's clothing" line was a pop culture reference, of sorts? Matthew (or whoever it was who actually wrote the Book of Matthew) was a prototype fanboy geek? Who'da thunk it?!?

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  25. I know you like classic movies.
    Have you see Robert Mitchum in
    "Night of the Hunter" lately.
    Talk about wolf in sheep's clothing......
    A truly amazing movie and vary scary.

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  26. Willow, I can't believe the entire 3 little pigs is on youtube! I used to have the Disney book version of this and had it memorized when I was 4 or 5 years old! That was a total trip for me to be able too see it again... and of course, thank you for educating me again too!

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  27. Yes, I know this Aesopo fable. The photo is really cool but I think it looks more like a fox... Anyway the concept is there! :-)

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  28. Hello Willow,

    Haven't seen that film in years! Big, Bad Wolf - that'll larn 'im!

    I love your new header BTW!

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  29. I was familiar with both Aesop's credit and the Bible's references, and of course, The Three Little Pigs!

    Hate it when someone takes on this personna and has a different agenda than they profess. Unfortunately, we all see people like this in everyday life.


    Forewarned is forearmed, so I guess we should all be aware!

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  30. I have an illustrated book of Aesop's Fables. The detailed, thoughtful illustrations are just about as mesmerizing as the tales.

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  31. Very cool! A wolf dresses up like grandma in Little Red Riding Hood, too.

    I know people who are wolves dressed in sheep's clothing - don't you? The problem with the people I know is that they are clueless about how vicious they can be. It's the denial about their true natures that makes them so dangerous.

    Lakeviewer you are right - we are wrong to malign the wolf. Though, if I lived in the woods during the Middle Ages, I might demonize them, too.

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  32. Thanks for taking me back to the tales I used to read to my Daughter and Grandson...too bad so many people don't heed this tale of Karma!

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  33. Thank you for this, Willow! I have very dim and distant memories of Aesop's fables - I must read them again.

    (I do love the fleecy hat - I could do with something like that today; there is a damp mist outside, which looks lovely, but is rather cold!)

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  34. Another GREAT entry Willow! I wrote a personal letter about the same thing this morning, it is an education that we should never forget.

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  35. Are your lilacs blooming already??? I'm jealous!

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  36. Oh yes I remember these and read them and listened to my wife read them to our five children. Then somewhere along the line television made its appearance and Mr. Rogers was more to their liking. I still prefer fables and story telling to novels and television and movies.

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  37. ...it was very interesting to read the connection between Aesop's fables and the biblical reference..it is fun to think that children's stories came first:)

    When reading this post the first thing that came to my mind was Bernie Madoff and all those he tricked...

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  38. Even the Big Bad Wolf knew not to hide in pig skin ... unless he put on one of those sterile masks

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  39. Very informative post. I knew about the Aesop connection, but I had no idea that the Three Little Pigs were called Fifer.

    Kat

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  40. Love the header! My clematis is still in the 'bud' stage! Hopefully next week mine will look like that!

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  41. I had a book of aesop's fables as a child and always loved them.

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  42. Very pig-turesque! I remember those stories well - and the boy who cried wolf, too.

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  43. Willow,
    I've been called a sheep in wolve's clothing.
    I wonder what that means/
    rel

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  44. Your blog is beautiful.

    The deceitful are always the most scary.

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  45. The appearance of the phrase in the Sermon on the Mount shows that Jesus was conversant with the Greek culture that had permeated Palestine in His day, and apparently His hearers would also have been familiar with this phrase. He was not shy of quoting a wise or clever phrase wherever He could find it!

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  46. Well, wonderful photo. (Oh--and beautiful flowers at Willow Manor in your header, Willow!) I never realized Aesop was from so long ago...! Learn something new every day! thanks for that.

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  47. Amen, sister! Unfortunately, I know a great many people that fit that description. Sad, actually. I take comfort in knowing THAT'S NOT ME! :)

    Sarah

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  48. A lovely post, and I adore your Header Picture.

    Lilacs are a favourite of mine, I cut them from our garden to bring into the Cottage.

    I know of a person in sheeps clothing, thankyou for the Education Willow.

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  49. I was always a big fan of Aesop's Fables as well as La Fontaine's. What I enjoy the most about them is their atemporal quality and how there meaning is often transformed slightly to fit the times. Love this post, Willow.

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  50. sometimes there's a harmless variation, such as when our German Shepherd puppy crawled under a fluffy felt blanket and wandered about the house....a small wolf looking decidedly sheepish...

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)