ProverbWisdom
Dutch origin
Dutch originHoe dichter bij de paus, hoe slechter christen
Meaning: Those closest to power or holiness are often the least virtuous.
Literally: The closer to the Pope, the worse the Christian
Example: “Juist de bestuurders overtreden de regels het vaakst. Hoe dichter bij de paus, hoe slechter christen.” — It's the board members who break the rules most often: the nearer the church, the farther from God.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian
English: The nearer the church the farther from God.
French: Près de l’église et loin de Dieu (literally: The nearer the church the farther from God)
Spanish: Cerca de la iglesia, lejos de Dios (literally: Near the church, far from God)
German: Je näher der Kirche, je ferner von Gott (literally: The nearer the church, the farther from God)
Italian: Vicino alla chiesa, lontano da Dio (literally: Near the church, far from God)
Origin: An old jibe at Rome; English says the same of the church: the nearer the church, the farther from God.
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