He that strikes with the sword shall be beaten with the scabbard.
Meaning: Violence begets proportional retaliation; aggressors face consequences matching their own aggression's intensity.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Communication
- Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard. — Rebellion against authority demands absolute commitment—there is no safe retreat or hedge…
- Talk of the devil and his imp appears. — Mentioning someone unexpectedly often causes them to arrive or contact you shortly after.
- The greatest talkers are always the least doers. — Excessive speech consumes energy better spent on action, making verbose people perpetuall…
- He loseth his thanks who promiseth and delayeth. — Postponing promised help damages gratitude, as delayed assistance feels less generous tha…
- One may think that dares not speak. — Silent thoughts remain powerless; voicing ideas, however risky, gives them potential forc…
- Think twice before you speak once. — Hasty words cause irreversible harm; deliberation before speaking prevents regret and mis…
From our idioms
- leave someone holding the bag — To leave somebody with unwanted responsibility.
- leave well enough alone — To accept a situation as it is; to avoid trying to improve a situation one's actions migh…
- let sleeping dogs lie — To not look for trouble or stir up a troublesome situation.