Casting pearls before swine

Question

This phrase is used in the Bible. If translated literally it is something like this:

Perlas a los cerdos de función.

Would it still have the same meaning?

Answer 1

Here's the bible in Spanish, look for what you need, and no, the phrase does not make sense.

I looked it up. Interesting. Thanks - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

Answer 2

Tirarles perlas a los chanchos ,

or, darles flores a los cerdos.

Heistant offering, I can't find any beter without looking through the bible which would take ages. - annierats, Jun 28, 2012

Me parece correcto lo que dijiste, pero es mejor remitirse a la fuente, que ya está traducida desde hace siglos... - diagonx, Jun 28, 2012

No, diaggonix, it never hurts to try yourself, one can check it afterwards. - annierats, Jun 28, 2012

It tought me "chanchos', which i had never heard before.. - annierats, Jun 29, 2012

Answer 3

Echar margaritas a los cerdos - To cast pearls before swine

Edit:

This is an idiom and I believe this is the exact meaning in Spanish.

When I think of "Margaritas" here are my thoughts: 1) girls named Margarita - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

doing that does not seem right at all then 2) the drinks - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

this might clean the pig or get the pig drunk but then my drink is gone - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

but do you mean the flowers? do pigs eat them? do they eat daisies? - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

The phrase could translate as "Don't give something valuable to someone who doesn't appreciate its worth." This can apply to other things, words/thoughts/wisdom etc. Ergo, also don't waste a decent drink, hehe. - Eddy, Jun 28, 2012

It came from Matthew 7:6 as part of Jesus' sermon on the Mount. I am not thinking he was intending the condescending part but I guess you never know. Perhaps the human part got the best of him sometimes. - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

Well, no, I would not want to waste a decent drink, especially on a pig. - LovesBirds, Jun 28, 2012

Answer 4

7:6 No deis lo santo a los perros, ni echéis vuestras perlas delante de los cerdos, no sea que las pisoteen, y se vuelvan y os despedacen.

"perlas delante de los cerdos"....... essentially the same words....... pearls before swine

Nice Bible translation tool diagonx.

Now, I am still left wondering if it means the same thing to the Spanish readers?