Where does the saying "People in glass houses should not throw stones' come from?

Answer 1

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

Say what?
Those who are vulnerable should not attack others.

Origin
The proverb has been traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde' (1385). George Herbert wrote in 1651: 'Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another.' This saying is first cited in the United States in 'William & Mary College Quarterly' (1710). Twenty-six later Benjamin Franklin wrote, 'Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass.' 'To live in a glass house' is used as a figure of speech referring to vulnerability." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

Answer 2

PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T THROW STONES - "Those who are vulnerable should not attack others. The proverb has been traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde' (1385). George Herbert wrote in 1651: 'Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another.' This saying is first cited in the United States in 'William & Mary College Quarterly' (1710). Twenty-six later Benjamin Franklin wrote, 'Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass.' 'To live in a glass house' is used as a figure of speech referring to vulnerability." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

Answer 3

The proverb has been traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde' (1385). George Herbert wrote in 1651: 'Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another.' This saying is first cited in the United States in 'William & Mary College Quarterly' (1710). Twenty-six later Benjamin Franklin wrote, 'Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass.' 'To live in a glass house' is used as a figure of speech referring to vulnerability." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

Answer 4

Here is a discussion on this:
http://forum.wordreference.com/archive/index.php/t-178571.html

To me, it is just an old saying that comes from a common-sense idea. People who actually do live in glass houses (or greenhouses like mentioned at the above link), throwing stones may destroy their own home. So figuratively, if you cannot live up to your own scrutiny, then don't criticize or judge others. It basically refers to hypocrisy. Don't criticize others if you are guilty of the same or worse.

Answer 5

“Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones” ~ Proverb

“That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.”

“Better to be known as a sinner than a hypocrite.”

“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday”

“Some people make things happen, some watch things happen, while others wonder what has happened”

“You can't get blood out of a stone”

“Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by the their own”

“You should only believe half of what you see, and none of which you hear”

“I can explain it for you, but I can't understand it for you”

Please feel free to visit the proposed ultimate "Glass House" to be built in Surfside, Florida 33154 "Turnberry Beach House" a design by Richard Meier http://www.BeachHouseSurfside.com

Answer 6

"People in glass houses should not throw stones in others houses"
it means -
People shouldn't do what they don't like or that hurts them with anyone else......

An experienced old person might had said that "....................."

Answer 7

don't no where it comes from but it does make sense. but there is one puzzling factor to this why would you live in a glass house when you already know about every hard object on earth can destroy it.

Answer 8

Never mind the etymology; the after effectsare hilarious and worth waiting for.