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)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- Familiarity breeds contempt — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it.
- Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are — The company you keep reflects and shapes your own character.
- One kind word can warm three winter months — A single act of kindness has an impact far greater and longer-lasting than the moment it…
- Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches — Only the person experiencing a difficulty truly understands its depth.
- Even the sun has its spots — Nothing and nobody is perfect; even the greatest things have their flaws.
- The forest would be silent if no bird sang except the one that sang best — Everyone has a unique contribution; holding back out of self-doubt robs the world.
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