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The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world

Meaning: Mothers have profound influence on society.

Origin: From William Ross Wallace's 1865 poem.

Translations

  • French: La main qui berce le berceau gouverne le monde (literally: The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world)
  • Spanish: La mano que mece la cuna gobierna el mundo (literally: The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world)
  • Japanese: 母の手が世界を動かす (Haha no te ga sekai wo ugokasu) (literally: A mother's hand moves the world)

More proverbs about Human Nature

  • No news is good news — The absence of bad news is itself good news.
  • Every man for himself — In crisis, everyone must look after their own interests.
  • No man is an island — Humans need connection with others.
  • Beggars on horseback — Those given power abuse it worst.
  • Familiarity breeds contempt — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it.
  • Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are — The company you keep reflects and shapes your own character.

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