do not keep a dog and bark yourself
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed on Wikipedia “List of proverbial phrases” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review.
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
Đừng xét đoán người qua bề ngoài
Do not judge the book by its cover.
Tiếng Việt
Near equivalent
never speak ill of the dead
Avoid criticizing or speaking negatively about someone who has died
English · via Đừng xét đoán người qua bề ngoài
Near equivalent
with the manner
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
English · via Đừng xét đoán người qua bề ngoài
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “do not keep a dog and bark yourself” mean?
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “do not keep a dog and bark yourself” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“Đừng xét đoán người qua bề ngoài” (Tiếng Việt) — near equivalent.