ProverbWisdom
French origin
French originUn chien regarde bien un évêque
Meaning: Even the humblest person has some rights in front of the powerful.
Literally: A dog may well look at a bishop
Example: “Pourquoi n'aurais-je pas le droit de poser une question au ministre ? Un chien regarde bien un évêque.” — Why shouldn't I be allowed to ask the minister a question? A cat may look at a king.
Equivalents in English and Dutch
English: A cat may look at a king
Dutch: De kat ziet de keizer wel aan (literally: The cat may well look at the emperor)
Origin: English lets a cat look at a king; French lets a dog look at a bishop. Both say the same thing: looking costs nothing and offends no one.
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