Tread on a worm and it will turn.

Meaning: Even the meekest, most powerless creature will resist when pushed to its absolute limit of suffering.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

Translations

• French: Un ver se recoquille quand on marche dessus (literally: Tread on a worm and it will turn)

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