Before condemning anyone who has done wrong, ask yourself whether your own
conduct has been blameless.

The proverb derives from the story told in Chapter VIII of the gospel
according to St John.

> While Jesus was teaching in the temple the scribes and Pharisees brought
before him a woman taken in adultery.

> ‘Moses in the law commanded that such should be stoned: but what sayest
thou?’ they asked.

> Jesus replied: ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone
at her.’

> Those who heard this, ‘being convinced by their own conscience’, went out
one by one until Jesus was left alone with the woman.

> He asked her: ‘Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned
thee?

> ‘No man, Lord.’

> ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.’