Vices in Caricature

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Prov. 11:22

The Book of Proverbs lampoons fools, lazy people, and quarrelsome women by using comical caricatures. These images describe the contentious woman and the woman who lacks discretion in a witty and clever manner. “As a gold ring in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman from whom sense has departed” (Proverbs 11:22). “It is better to live in a desert than with a contentious and angry woman” (Proverbs 21:19). “It is better to live on a corner of a roof, than in a house of companionship with a quarrelsome wife” (Proverbs 25:24). “A constant dripping on a rainstormy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike” (Proverbs 27:15).

This paper appeared in Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, Vol. 13:3, Sept. 2000, 258-285. ©2000, by Hershey H. Friedman, Ph.D. & Bernard H. Stern