He that will steal an egg will steal an ox.

Meaning: Small moral breaches signal willingness to commit greater crimes when opportunity and stakes increase.

Origin: A small theft reveals a character capable of a great one. The proverb is found in several European languages, including Romanian.

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

黑化肥发黑会挥发；灰化肥发灰会挥发。(Hēihuàféi fā hēi huì huīfā; huīhuàféi fā huī huì huīfā.) A 'hēi/huī/huì/fā' four-tone minefield — the tones alone change every meaning.
De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.
Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegen achterna. The same noun/verb homograph trap as the German version — vliegen does triple duty.

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