Shooting the messenger: Difference between revisions
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==Origins of the phrase== |
==Origins of the phrase== |
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The advice "'''Don't shoot the messenger'''" was first expressed by [[Shakespeare]] in [[Henry IV, part 2]] (1598) {{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} and in [[Antony and Cleopatra]]<ref>I, 2 : "The nature of bad news infects the teller."</ref> (1606-07). Prior to that, a related sentiment was expressed in [[Antigone (Sophocles)|Antigone]] by Sophocles as ''"No one loves the messenger who brings bad news."''[http://www.bartleby.com/73/1243.html]. |
The advice "'''Don't shoot the messenger'''" was first expressed by [[Shakespeare]] in [[Henry IV, part 2]] (1598) {{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} and in [[Antony and Cleopatra]]<ref>I, 2 : "The nature of bad news infects the teller."</ref>; and similarly in II, 5. (1606-07). Prior to that, a related sentiment was expressed in [[Antigone (Sophocles)|Antigone]] by Sophocles as ''"No one loves the messenger who brings bad news."'' (lines 276-277) [http://www.bartleby.com/73/1243.html]. |
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An analogy of the phrase can come from the breaching of an invisible code of conduct in war, where a commanding officer was expected to receive and send back emissaries or diplomatic envoys sent by the enemy unharmed. During the early Warring States period of China, the concept of chivalry and virtue prevented the executions of messengers sent by opposing sides. |
An analogy of the phrase can come from the breaching of an invisible code of conduct in war, where a commanding officer was expected to receive and send back emissaries or diplomatic envoys sent by the enemy unharmed. During the early Warring States period of China, the concept of chivalry and virtue prevented the executions of messengers sent by opposing sides. |
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Revision as of 17:32, 30 January 2010
"Shooting the messenger" is a metaphoric phrase used to describe the act of lashing out at the (blameless) bearer of bad news.
In ancient times, messages were delivered in person by a human envoy. Sometimes, as in war, for example, the messenger was sent from the enemy camp. An easily-provoked combatant receiving such an overture could more easily vent anger (or otherwise retaliate) on the deliverer of the unpopular message than on its author, thus literally killing the messenger.[citation needed] In modern usage, the expression still refers to any kind of punishment meted out to the person bringing bad news, but has taken on an ironic dimension as well.
"Attacking the messenger" is a subdivision of the ad hominem logical fallacy.
Origins of the phrase
The advice "Don't shoot the messenger" was first expressed by Shakespeare in Henry IV, part 2 (1598) [citation needed] and in Antony and Cleopatra[1]; and similarly in II, 5. (1606-07). Prior to that, a related sentiment was expressed in Antigone by Sophocles as "No one loves the messenger who brings bad news." (lines 276-277) [1].
An analogy of the phrase can come from the breaching of an invisible code of conduct in war, where a commanding officer was expected to receive and send back emissaries or diplomatic envoys sent by the enemy unharmed. During the early Warring States period of China, the concept of chivalry and virtue prevented the executions of messengers sent by opposing sides.
A modern version of attacking the messenger can be seen when persons blame the media for presenting bad news about a favored cause, person, organization, etc. (See also, scapegoating, projection.)
Similar phrases
A syntactically similar expression is "Don't shoot the piano player; he's doing the best he can". It originated around 1860 in the Wild West of the United States. During his 1883 tour of the United States, Oscar Wilde saw this saying on a notice in a Leadville, Colorado, saloon. This phrase (like many witty sayings of that era) is sometimes attributed to Mark Twain, but neither Wilde nor Twain ever claimed authorship.
Alternative expressions:
- "Killing the messenger"
- "Attacking the messenger"
- "Blaming the bearer of bad tidings"
References
- ^ I, 2 : "The nature of bad news infects the teller."
See also
