Does this "English Proverb" make any sense to you?

Question

It goes: Get your own house in order, before you work on anyone elses.

Can you tell me what it means, and is it sound?

Answer 1

yes it means sort out your own life before getting involved in others

Answer 2

This proverb presents the same sentiment as the biblical verses in Matthew 7:3-5.

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

What it means is that all people have their own faults and problems to deal with. You should not be sticking your nose into other people's business because it is likely that you yourself have plenty of your own to take care of.

A related sentiment states that advice should only be given if it is asked for. Another is "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?".

Answer 3

It means Tony Blair is Going to Bring Peace to the Middle East

Answer 4

Yes, it does make sense. I'm a psychologist. What would happen if I was 'feeling suicidal' when I was called out on a 'suicide call' to a bridge or the top of a building? I wouldn't be 'alone' ... I might be more attracted to jumping than to helping the 'potential suicide' to back away into safety. Yes, this is an 'extreme example' ... and no, I was never 'completely sane' when I was 'flying' ... how could I have been 'sane' to go out onto those bridge cables or sit on the edge of a building when I am 'terrified of heights'? In fact, my 'insanity' worked for me ... I simply explained to people that while I did 'seriously care' about them and their problems, I was 'terribly distracted' by my own terror at being in a high, open space. They would look at me, nod, take my hand and lead ME away from the edge. WHY?
Because I gave them a 'quick way' to get their own house 'in order' ... feeling helpless, I gave them the power to HELP ME, and once they had done that, it didn't matter that there were cops and paramedics waiting to 'lock them away' so they could not kill themselves, and they wouldn't be 'let loose' for at least three days, and they would be 'evaluated' to see if they needed further 'mental health intervention.'
In fact, I AM terrified of high and open spaces ... to this very day, I tell my husband to 'back away' from edges because he is 'part of me' and I feel that 'I am going to fall' feeling. But I also 'know myself' well enough to know, that if my husband or any other person was 'attempting suicide' I would 'jump in to try to save them' AUTOMATICALLY, whether I was 'working' or not, whether I would be 'paid' or not. My own 'house' is in order, and this 'thing' is part of me that makes it possible for me to be able to offer REAL HELP to others.
Yes, it's a sound proverb ... but it's one that is frequently 'misinterpreted' ... it says "Get your own house in order" ... not 'make sure your own house is perfectly clean and neat' ... the world could be a horrible place if we all worked just on our own houses ... but if we can know ourselves well enough to 'know' our weaknesses, we can actually use them to help other ... to 'work on' another person's house.
Okay, maybe this is NOT what this proverb 'meant' when it was written ... but from experience, I know that if we can 'see it' a bit differently it works even better ... I can 'help others' ONLY because I know I'm not perfect ... not I 'can't help' until I AM PERFECT. None of us will EVER 'be perfect' ... but if we work to be 'as good as possible and hold our hands out to others who need a little help, maybe we will all get to 'being perfect' more easily in the end. Where? I think that will be in a 'different universe' that we call Heaven.

Answer 5

It just means get your own life in order before you trouble yourself with anyone elses. Its suggesting you have a responsibility to yourself first but dont forget others in the future.

Its certainly sound! The ancient chinese had similar proverbs associated with confucianism.

Answer 6

It is similar to the proverb having to do with "the mote" in someone else's eye being perceived by a person with a "beam" in his own.

Basically, it suggests that, in the words of the old blues song, "Before you 'cuse me, take a look at yourself."

Answer 7

It's a variation of the Scripture verse "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Meaning: Before you criticize others, tend to, and correct your own flaws.

Answer 8

I think it means make sure you and your life are perfect before sticking your nose into someone elses. I think it's sound because it's saying to mind your own business and to not judge.

Answer 9

Yes, it goes along the lines of "Judge not that you be not judged".

If you don't have your own affairs in order, you shouldn't try to order anyone else's life or business.

Answer 10

It is akin to "Why do you worry about the speck in someone else's eye but ignore the log in your own?" Yes, it's sound, and means that we shouldn't worry about everyone else and what they're doing unless and until we, ourselves, are doing what we should be doing.

Answer 11

several others have answered you question. but i will throw in my two cents for two points. an american equivalent would be you best tend to sweeping your own backporch and leave your neighbor's backporch to your neighbor. no time for volunteering to save the world when your own little world at home needs some serious elbow grease and some sweat. Charity begins at home!