oignez vilain, il vous poindra ; poignez vilain, il vous oindra

French

Alternative forms

• oignez vilain, il vous poindra

Etymology

From oindre (“to anoint”) and poindre (“to prick”).

For the meaning, compare English treat them mean, keep them keen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /wa.ɲe vi.lɛ̃ | il vu pwɛ̃.dʁa | pwa.ɲe vi.lɛ̃ | il vu.z‿wɛ̃.dʁa/

Proverb

oignez vilain, il vous poindra [[]]; poignez vilain, il vous oindra

1. if you behave kindly towards a bad person, they will be mean; conversely, if you behave spitefully, they will be kind to you

See also

• chantez à l’âne, il vous fera des pets
• fais du bien à un vilain, il te chie dans la main