Discreet women have neither eyes nor ears.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

The saying presents a discreet woman as someone who notices or acknowledges nothing. It reflects a restrictive expectation of silence and noninterference, rather than a universal standard of good judgement.

What the words are saying

The woman is said to have neither eyes nor ears, an impossible literal condition used to describe refusing to see or hear what is around her. The word discreet gives approval to that withdrawal, making silence and apparent ignorance into an ideal. An interpretation can distinguish appropriate care with private information from a demand that women suppress their observations or questions. The latter is the restrictive viewpoint in the wording. Noticing wrongdoing or raising a relevant concern need not be indiscretion. Consider what information is being protected and whose interests are served before treating noninterference as the only respectable response.

Everyday example

A committee member raises a missing-expenses concern despite being told that a discreet woman should ignore such matters; the committee examines the records rather than policing her silence.

When to use it

Use it to examine an expectation that women should remain silent, not to discourage relevant observations or questions.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.