"La envidia va tan flaca y amarilla porque muerde y no come."
/lah en-VEE-dyah vah tan FLAH-kah ee ah-mah-REE-yah POR-keh MWER-deh ee noh KOH-meh/
Envy goes so skinny and yellow because it bites but does not eat.
💡 Understanding the Quote
"La envidia va tan flaca y amarilla porque muerde y no come."
🎨 Visual Representation
The quote vividly portrays envy as a self-consuming emotion that harms the envious person most.
🔑 Key Words
📖 Context
This famous line is attributed to the Spanish writer Francisco de Quevedo, likely from his picaresque novel 'La vida del Buscón' (The Life of the Swindler), published around 1626.
📝 In Action
No te preocupes por sus comentarios; la envidia va tan flaca porque muerde y no come.
B2Don't worry about her comments; envy goes so skinny because it bites but doesn't eat.
Verlo consumido por el rencor me recuerda el refrán de Quevedo: muerde y no come.
C1Seeing him consumed by resentment reminds me of Quevedo's proverb: it bites but doesn't eat.
✍️ About the Author
📜 Historical Context
Francisco de Quevedo was a master of the Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro), a period of flourishing arts and literature. He was a leading figure of 'Conceptismo,' a literary style that valued witty, concise, and ingenious expressions. This quote is a perfect example: it uses a powerful, compact image to convey a deep psychological truth.
🌍 Cultural Significance
This is one of the most famous 'refranes' (proverbs) in the Spanish language. It's part of the collective cultural wisdom, used to teach a moral lesson about the futility and self-harm of envy. Referencing it shows a deep understanding of Spanish cultural and literary traditions.
📚 Literary Analysis
The quote's genius lies in its use of personification. Envy, an abstract emotion, is turned into a living being that is 'flaca y amarilla' (skinny and yellow), suggesting sickness and decay. The central contrast between 'morder' (to bite) and 'no comer' (not eating) brilliantly captures how envy is an aggressive act that provides zero sustenance to the aggressor, leading to its own demise.
⭐ Usage Tips
To Describe Self-Destructive Jealousy
Use this proverb when you observe that someone's envy is clearly causing them more suffering than anyone else. It's a sophisticated way to say, 'Their bitterness is their own poison.'
As a Moral Reminder
It can be used as a piece of wisdom or a warning to oneself or others about the dangers of letting envy take root. It’s a timeless piece of advice packed into a memorable image.
🔗 Related Quotes
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: La envidia va tan flaca y amarilla porque muerde y no come.
Question 1 of 2
What is the primary message of the quote 'La envidia... porque muerde y no come'?
🏷️ Categories
Themes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why 'yellow' specifically?
In traditional European symbolism, the color yellow ('amarillo') has long been associated with sickness, bile, and negative emotions like jealousy and cowardice. Quevedo masterfully uses this cultural association to paint a vivid picture of envy as a disease.
Is this still a common saying?
Yes, absolutely. While it has literary origins from the 17th century, it has become a staple proverb in the Spanish language. People use it in everyday conversation without necessarily thinking about Quevedo, much like an English speaker might say 'All that glitters is not gold' without thinking of Shakespeare.