- cast pearls before swine -- a talented man finds his ability unrecognized; a bright pearl thrown into darkness -- a valuable thing gained by a person who doesn't know it at all; a bright pearl is concealingly thrown away; a discarded man of talents; sth. valuable or beautiful offered to one who cannot appreciate it;a good man fallen into bad company;a sparkling pearl cast into the dark -- men of talent in want of recommendation;fling a gleaming pearl into the darkness