What was the origin of the phrase familiarity breeds contempt?
What was the origin of the phrase familiarity breeds contempt?
Familiarity breeds contempt means the more time you spend with someone, the more you lose respect for him. The expression familiarity breeds contempt was first used in English in the 1300s by Geoffrey Chaucer, in his work, Tale of Melibee.
Does familiarity breed contempt or does it amplify affection?
Ordinarily, the expression “familiarity breeds contempt” refers to what often happens in long-standing relationships and marriages. Regrettably, over time too may relationships begin to see their happiness wither. At times, familiarity may, in fact, pave the way for greater intimacy and love.
Who wrote familiarity breeds contempt?
writer Geoffrey Chaucer
Origin of Familiarity Breeds Contempt The English writer Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to use this expression. It appeared in his work Tale of Melibee, in the 1300s.
What causes feelings of contempt?
Contempt is fueled by long-simmering negative thoughts about one’s partner, and it arises in the form of an attack on someone’s sense of self. Inevitably, contempt leads to more conflict—particularly dangerous and destructive forms of conflict—rather than to reconciliation.
What breeds contempt in a marriage?
As summed up by The Gottman Institute, “contempt is fueled by long-simmering negative thoughts about one’s partner, and it arises in the form of an attack on someone’s sense of self.” Gottman describes contempt as far beyond criticism, as it indicates a moral superiority over one’s partner.
Why does familiarity really do breed contempt?
Familiarity breeds contempt is an old adage that means the better you know someone or something, the more likely you are to find fault with that person or thing and feel hostility or hatred towards them or it, or to begin devaluing them or it. Although proverbs are common sayings that impart advice and share universal truths, and the wisdom offered about human nature by this particular proverb may often be true, it won’t necessarily always be the case that familiarity causes contempt.
Does familiarity breed contempt or fondness?
But familiarity does not generally breed contempt. Familiarity actually breeds fondness and affection. We generally fear the unknown and the personally unfamiliar (e.g. unfamiliar foods, unfamiliar ethnicities, unfamiliar cultures) hence we tend to like and stick to what we know i.e. what’s personally familiar to us.
Does familiarity breed inattention?
Familiarity breeds inattention. Typically, family members are so convinced they know what another family member is going to say that they don’t bother to listen. See also: breed , contempt
Does familiarity breed complacency?
Familiarity breeds complacency . Don’t let your success of today lay you into complacency for tomorrow. For that is the worst form of failure. I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it’s so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ. It’s not a very big step from contentment to complacency.
