Beggars on horseback

Meaning: Those given power abuse it worst.

Origin: English proverb from the 16th century, 'set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil.'

Translations

• French: Donnez à un gueux un cheval, il ira au diable (literally: Give a beggar a horse, he'll ride to the devil)
• Spanish: Poner a un mendigo a caballo, y cabalgará al infierno (literally: Put a beggar on horseback, he'll ride to hell)
• Japanese: 鬼に金棒 (Oni ni kanabō) (literally: Giving an iron club to a demon)

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