ProverbWisdom
Spanish origin
Spanish originNi ausente sin culpa, ni presente sin disculpa
Meaning: Those who are absent get the blame, and those present always have an excuse.
Literally: Neither an absent one without blame, nor a present one without an excuse
Example: “Nadie defendió a Pedro en la reunión. Ni ausente sin culpa, ni presente sin disculpa.” — Nobody stood up for Pedro in the meeting: the absent are always in the wrong.
Equivalents in English, French, German, and Dutch
English: The absent are always at fault.
French: Les absents ont toujours tort (literally: The absent are always in the wrong)
German: Die Abwesenden haben immer unrecht (literally: The absent ones are always in the wrong)
Dutch: De afwezigen krijgen altijd de schuld (literally: The absent always get the blame)
Origin: Two balanced halves, culpa (blame) and disculpa (excuse): absence leaves you undefended.
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