What does it mean when the proverb says, “He sees an eye but knows a tooth”?

This proverb is an expression of how one's understanding of a situation may be limited. It suggests that what one perceives may not be the full picture, and that a deeper understanding of the situation may be required.

In this context, "seeing an eye" implies having a superficial understanding of something, while "knowing a tooth" implies having a more complete understanding. It suggests that one may have a cursory knowledge of a situation, but to truly understand it one must look deeper.

For example, one may observe a conflict between two people and assume that they are simply arguing. However, if one were to take the time to understand the context of the situation, they may find that the conflict is due to a deeper issue, such as a lack of trust or communication. In this case, seeing the eye (the surface level conflict) is not enough to understand the situation; one must also know the tooth (the underlying cause of the conflict).

In summary, the proverb "He sees an eye but knows a tooth" is a reminder that a superficial understanding of a situation may not be enough to truly understand it, and that a deeper understanding may be necessary.