He that is full of himself is very empty.自满的人腹中空。
谚语用了一对反义形容词full与empty,形成鲜明的对比,说明自以为充实者,实际却是空虚的。
近似意思的谚语还有:
He who imagines that he has knowledge enough has none.
自以为有知识,实质一窍不通。
He that thinks has business below him will always be above his business.
自命大材小用,往往眼高手低。
以上两句也运用了对比法:enough对none, below对above。
中国有副著名的对联:“墙上芦苇,头重脚轻,根底浅;山间竹笋,嘴尖皮厚,腹中空。”这是很形象化地讽刺一种人:神气活现,夸夸其谈;其实底子很薄,根本没有真才实学。
以上谚语都是揭露骄傲者的外强中干,至于骄傲的结果怎样,可参阅另一条谚语:Pride goeth before, and shame cometh after.