Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face

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"Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face" is an English-language idiom, used to describe an irrationally self-destructive act taken in pursuit of revenge. The phrase often takes the form of the proverb "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face". An early record of this phrase appears in the 12th century writings of Peter of Blois, who referred to it as a "common saying" (Proverbium vulgare) and recorded it as: "He who cuts off his nose takes poor revenge for a shame inflicted on him." (Male ulciscitur dedecus sibi illatum, qui amputat nasum suum.)

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