ProverbHuman Nature
American origin1865
American origin1865The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
Meaning: Mothers have profound influence on society.
Who said it? William Ross Wallace, the poem “What Rules the World”, 1865
Origin: From "What Rules the World," an 1865 poem by the American poet William Ross Wallace: "For the hand that rocks the cradle / Is the hand that rules the world." Wallace meant it as a tribute to mothers, whose influence shapes the next generation.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
- Ехал Грека через реку, видит Грека — в реке рак. (Yekhal Greka cherez reku, vidit Greka — v reke rak.) A rolling 'r/k' drill where Greka, reku and rak keep trading the same two consonants.
- От топота копыт пыль по полю летит. (Ot topota kopyt pyl po polyu letit.) A 'p/t' hammering that imitates the hoofbeats it describes.
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