This Merina proverb emphasizes the importance of self-love and respect. Speaking ill of oneself is as hurtful and irresponsible as speaking ill of one’s spouse. It highlights the idea that self-depreciation is damaging to our moral well-being. Just as one should not harm the image of their life partner, one should not harm their own self-esteem either. An equivalent English proverb might be: ‘If you do not love yourself, you cannot love anyone else.’