The meaning of the idiom "to measure by one's own yardstick", its origins, psychological and philosophical content

It has become fashionable to say that everyone is different. And in the antiquity also knew about it. What was the meaning of the idiom "to measure by one's own yardstick”. About it will talk today.

What is a yard? Origin

According to the dictionary, Arshin is a Russian measure of length, equal to 71 centimeters. Some sources add another 12 millimeters. It's hard to say it matters or not. As you might guess, every merchant used his yardstick when buying and when selling. Of course, personal yards in the line will never match the Canon. When buying it was longer in the sale – in short.

The Meaning of the idiom "to measure by one's own yardstick” implies a not too noble sense. It says that a person in a particular case or judgment involve personal self-interest, but this understanding is not unique. And psychologically the expression of a deeper historical significance.

Schopenhauer and Russian idiom

Arthur Schopenhauer created a whole doctrine that the world is only a representation of the person about it. And subjectively, when a person dies, he dies and the whole world. I remember the story of the dying Oscar Wilde, narrated by S. king. When the English writer was already dying, he last opened his eyes and said: “whether the Wallpaper disappear, then I" - then died.

And all of this directly applies to our conversation, in which the meaning of the idiom "to measure by one's own yardstick”. Why there exists the problem of personal measurements of each person? The answer is simple: because each of us has no experience of the other person. Of course, we can love anyone and thus closer to understanding the “feet”, different from our (under “yardstick” here refers to the subjective values, aspirations, desires), but to wear someone else's moccasins and walk in them the way or at least a meter we can not.

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Thus, if you discover the psychological meaning of the idiom "to measure by one's own yardstick”, will the next truth, well-known for a long time: “Everyone is different”.

Moral conclusion

He begs. Need not to judge people, but should try to understand their brethren in the circle of their values and preferences. It would seem that a very simple truth, but to recognize the existence of another yard man still very difficult. To see the middle and not to judge it in accordance with its view of man is extremely difficult. To judge is easy, but to understand...

Almost bottomless within the meaning of the expression “to measure by one's own yardstick” (the meaning of the idiom understands in detail). The result is quite unexpected: it refers the person to the requirement of Christ: “do Not judge!”

George Bernard Shaw and a fair comment

English playwright teaches: every time I meet with a person "shoot with his new scoop" as well, as does the tailor, when one comes to it to order a suit.

What he's talking About Shaw? About the same as the expression “to measure by one's own yardstick” (the meaning of the idiom already known). You should try to see the person and not their ideas about it. If you do not go out, you need to ensure that the "database" of consciousness on regular basis.

Technically, people are well aware that it is impossible to impose anything to another person. Neither his opinion nor his image, nor your tastes. But how many people actually follow this simple rule? Very little, and that already at an advanced age, having mastered a certain amount of life wisdom, and others are trying to remake husbands/wives, children/parents, friends and acquaintances. But they have nothing, and all because no need to measure by one's own yardstick (the meaning of the idiom and origin analyzed at the beginning of the article), because it's personal.

Of Course, such a wonderful idiom we could write a 40-many things, but we'll stop here.

The Reader realize what an imaginary yardstick is always better to carry and at every meeting to make it to a new or old friend, not afraid. Stereotypes help us to live, they filter and display information on the shelves of memory and consciousness, but when dealing with a person better to throw them away and listen to the live stream of the conversation, discovering the deeper layers of the interlocutor, of course, if they are.

It was a story about the expression “to measure by one's own yardstick" (idiom). The origin, meaning, and profound moral sense was, we have submitted to the reader.