Marry above your match and you get a master.
Meaning: Marrying someone of superior social standing trades equality for subjugation in the relationship.
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 Wisdom
- One eye of the master sees more than four of the servants'. — A leader's direct attention to detail accomplishes more than distant oversight of multipl…
- The master's eye makes the horse fat. — A leader's direct attention and oversight ensures prosperity and proper care of what they…
- Every "may be" hath a "may not be." — Uncertainty cuts both ways—possibility implies its opposite, so optimism requires acknowl…
- A windy March and a rainy April make a beautiful May. — Harsh conditions in early spring create the moisture and nutrients needed for abundant la…
- A thin meadow is soon mowed. — Shallow resources or modest wealth deplete quickly when demands persist.
- With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again. — Treat others as you wish to be treated; your actions return to you in equal measure.
From our idioms
- go whole hog — To spare nothing; to do something with maximum enthusiasm.
- grin and bear it — To accept or endure a bad situation.
- horse around — To play a little roughly.