oignez vilain, il vous poindra ; poignez vilain, il vous oindra
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French[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From oindre (“to anoint”) and poindre (“to prick”).
For the meaning, compare English treat them mean, keep them keen.
Pronunciation[edit]
Proverb[edit]
oignez vilain, il vous poindra [[]]; poignez vilain, il vous oindra
- if you behave kindly towards a bad person, they will be mean; conversely, if you behave spitefully, they will be kind to you