Literal translation
The cauldron blackens the frying pan
Meaning
to mock a fault one shares oneself
Explanation
This expression exposes the hypocrisy of someone who blames another for a fault they share themselves. The image sets two kitchen vessels equally blackened by fire and soot against each other: the cauldron (peiròu), itself covered in soot, accuses the frying pan (sartan) of being dirty, without noticing its own colour. The humour lies in an obviousness everyone sees except the accuser. It is used to mock a moraliser caught red handed in the very fault they condemn in others, be it uncleanliness, dishonesty or any other flaw. The context rightly links the image to the saying about a hospital mocking charity, both turns resting on the same reversal: the one who judges shares the fault being denounced. The register is familiar and mocking, the phrase serving as a sharp retort aimed at someone who would do better to sweep their own doorstep before judging the neighbour's.