What does “familiarity breeds contempt” mean?

Familiarity breeds contempt is a phrase that most of us have heard and used at some point in our lives. It is a proverb that speaks to the tendency of people to become overly critical of those they are familiar with. The phrase is particularly pertinent when it comes to personal relationships, but it can also be applied to other aspects of life, such as politics, the workplace, and even sports. In this blog post, we’ll explore the meaning of this phrase in detail, looking at its origin, examples of its use, and how to avoid falling into the trap of breeding contempt.

The Origin of the Phrase

The phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” is believed to have originated from the Latin proverb “familiarity breeds contemptum.” In English, the phrase first appeared in the 14th century in Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘Tale of Melibee’: “For though that the proverbe seith, ‘wickednesse engendreth wikkednesse,’ yet seith the book, ‘goodnesse encreseth goodnesse.'”

Simply put, the phrase means that the more one knows someone or something, the more they will find flaws. In personal settings, people are more likely to judge or criticize those they are familiar with than people they barely know.

Examples of the Phrase

The phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” can be seen in many different settings. Consider the following examples:

1. In a marriage, two individuals may start off madly in love with each other, but as they spend more time together, they may begin to notice flaws, leading to petty arguments and contempt.

2. In politics, politicians may start off as popular among their supporters, but as they take office and time goes by, their popularity can wane as people begin to notice their flaws.

3. In the workplace, colleagues may start off friendly and cordial with one another, but as they spend more time together, they may begin to engage in office politics and harbor contemptuous feelings towards each other.

How to Avoid Falling into the Trap of Breeding Contempt

The phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” is a warning against becoming too familiar and comfortable with people or things. In order to avoid this tendency and maintain healthy relationships, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

1. Stay Positive: Focus on the positive attributes and strengths of the person or thing you are familiar with.

2. Be Empathetic: Take the time to understand the perspective of the person or thing you are familiar with.

3. Communicate: Communicate openly and honestly about any issues or concerns that arise.

4. Maintain Personal Space: Allow for personal space and time apart to prevent feelings of suffocation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “familiarity breeds contempt” is a phrase that has stood the test of time. It speaks to the natural tendency of individuals to become overly critical of things and people that they are familiar with. However, we can avoid breeding contempt by staying positive, being empathetic, communicating effectively, and maintaining personal space. By following these tips, we can maintain healthy and positive relationships with the people and things we are familiar with.