Vietnamese proverb of the day: “A cat praises its tail to be long”
Self-love is good but not to this extent when it affects one’s ability to see one’s mistake. This is what this Vietnamese wisdom reminds us of in the humorous proverb, which says that a cat believes that its tail is the longest and most beautiful.
Although it is a very common saying in Vietnam, this proverb is not widely known outside the country, although there are plenty of other proverbs that convey the same caution.Today’s Vietnamese proverb is: “Mèo khen mèo dài đuôi” which literally translates to “The cat praises the cat’s tail for being long”.
Literal meaning of Vietnamese proverb
In Vietnamese culture, cats are often portrayed in folklore as intelligent but also somewhat vain, sneaky, or selfish.
The proverbial cat does not praise another cat, it praises its own tail. A long tail does not give the cat any additional benefit; It is just a physical advantage but the cat believes he is superior to others.
What’s wrong with self-praise?
If we don’t praise ourselves, who will? What is wrong with self-praise in the age of pomp and show? The proverb rightly addresses this issue and points out that the problem lies in boasting, in taking pride in something of little value.
It also blinds us from looking within ourselves and discovering more valuable qualities, rather than seeing and admiring our physical appearance.When someone aggressively promotes themselves, their accomplishments, or their family background, Vietnamese culture views this not as confidence, but rather as a lack of refinement. The proverb uses gentle sarcasm and humor to mock this behavior, subtly reminding people that self-praise reduces an individual’s actual worth in the eyes of society.
Similar examples all over the world
“Every crow thinks his chick is the whitest” is an English proverb that conveys the same blindness that every crow thinks his chick is the whitest.“To toot your horn” and “to blow your horn” are other English sayings that have the same effect.
Why is the Vietnamese proverb relevant in today’s era, which promotes self-love and self-praise?
Social media fuels self-praise. As people are addicted to social media platforms, scrolling through the unashamed display of this ostentation, this proverb is a reminder to be rooted.
The timeless Vietnamese proverb acts as a mirror that holds up human vanity. It reminds us that true merit does not require self-declaration. When you are truly skilled, kind, or successful, your actions will speak for you, and the world will notice without you having to point it out.
By poking fun at a self-absorbed cat who admires its own tail, this proverb teaches us to practice humility, to seek objective self-awareness, and to remember that the most beautiful traits are those acknowledged by others—and not demanded by ourselves.The proverb teaches us that personal experience often shapes our judgments more than objective evidence. Whether in family life, politics, business, education, or social media, people naturally praise the qualities they already possess. The next time someone confidently declares that their style, culture, profession, or opinion is without a doubt the best, this old Vietnamese proverb offers a gentle reminder: Maybe it’s just another cat praising the length of its tail.
