Their folly pleads the privilege of wealth.
Meaning: Wealth allows the foolish to escape natural consequences that would humble ordinary people.
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
- Everything is the worse for wearing. — Constant use and time erode even the finest things, diminishing their quality and value.
- Who weds ere he be wise shall die ere he thrive. — Marrying without maturity leads to a life of struggle and premature decline.
- Welcome is the best dish on the table. — Genuine hospitality and warmth matter more to guests than the quality or abundance of foo…
- When the well is dug it is easy enough to pump. — Preparation and proper setup make execution effortless; prevention requires foresight bef…
- All things are soon prepared in a well-ordered house. — Efficient systems and discipline enable quick accomplishment of any task, large or small.
- Well-drawn wells give the sweetest water. — Careful preparation and proper execution yield superior results worth the initial effort.
From our tongue twisters
- De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. — A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.
- Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegen achterna. — The same noun/verb homograph trap as the German version — vliegen does triple duty.
- 간장 공장 공장장은 장 공장장이고 된장 공장 공장장은 강 공장장이다. (Ganjang gongjang gongjangjang eun Jang gongjangjang igo, doenjang gongjang gongjangjang eun Gang gongjangjang ida.) — A 'gong/jang/gang' syllable storm — the two surnames (Jang/Gang) swap while the rest stay…