
The friar preached against stealing and had a goose in his sleeve.行乞僧劝人勿偷盗,袍袖里却藏着偷来的鹅。
此谚语中friar是一种挨门乞讨的僧道,他们一般穿着一袭宽袖的袍子,里面可以藏许多东西。这当然是用作比喻的,也有用其他比喻的谚语:
When the fox preaches, take care of your geese.
狐狸说教,当心鹅儿被盗。
Carrion crows bewail the dead sheep, and then eat them.
专食死尸的乌鸦,看到死羊,先流泪哀悼后再吃掉它。
Some make a conscience of spitting in the church, yet rob the altar.
有人怪责在教堂吐痰,却掠取祭台上的供品。
中国有句俗语“猫哭老鼠假慈悲”,外国也有所谓“鳄鱼的眼泪”(crocodile tears),都是比喻一种口是心非、假仁假义的人。
相似的谚语还可参阅The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

