oignez vilain, il vous poindra ; poignez vilain, il vous oindra

== French == === Alternative forms === oignez vilain, il vous poindra === Etymology === From oindre (“to anoint”) and poindre (“to prick”). For the meaning, compare English treat them mean, keep them keen. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /wa.ɲe vi.lɛ̃ | il vu pwɛ̃.dʁa | pwa.ɲe vi.lɛ̃ | il vu.z‿wɛ̃.dʁa/ === Proverb === oignez vilain, il vous poindra [[]]; poignez vilain, il vous oindra if you behave kindly towards a bad person, they will be mean; conversely, if you behave spitefully, they will be kind to you ==== See also ==== chantez à l'âne, il vous fera des pets fais du bien à un vilain, il te chie dans la main