No one's perfect...

Question

Hey guys! I wish you all are having a wonderful time!

I read in a newspaper these lines;

¿Por qué te fijas en la paja que tiene tu hermano en el ojo y no te fijas en la viga que tienes en el tuyo?

I get that the author here is kind of reproaching us for criticizing others for their mistakes, although we have more mistakes than them, in other words; (no one's perfect!)... I understand every single word here except for "La viga" Our dictionary says it's "beam" but it still does not make sense to me.

You help will be greatly appreciated!

The mistakes that we criticise in others are usually the mistakes we see in ourselves . Bad business to criticise anyone. - ray76, Jul 20, 2016

Ray, I agree that destructive criticism is always bad because it attempts to put others down and feel bad about themselves whereas ... - FELIZ77, Jul 22, 2016

constructive criticism is designed to be helpful so that others can learn :) - FELIZ77, Jul 22, 2016

Answer 1

And do not notice the L O G that you have in yours ,( your eye)

in this instance la viga means a log as in a wooden beam.

As Ray says "viga" is a beam, not just wood but metal or concrete as in a construction beam. In this context perhaps it signifies strength. h - margarita1943, Jul 20, 2016

OMG, how did I miss this, this is bible metaphor (Matthew 7:3) Now it makes perfect sense! Thanks ray!! - marksteve, Jul 20, 2016

Thanks margarita! I get your point:) - marksteve, Jul 20, 2016

De nada esteban. - ray76, Jul 20, 2016

Hola margarita , how are you ? You sweep in and out like the tide ebbing and flowing ,I wish that you could wash up ashore and linger a while. - ray76, Jul 20, 2016

I am fine Ray, thanks. Not sure if I am flotsam or jetsam! - margarita1943, Jul 20, 2016

May I float along with you ? And we may become jetsom on a tropical Isle , who knows . - ray76, Jul 20, 2016