English Proverbs about Society Law Politics

Society & Politics10 words

• happy is the country which has no history🔊sentenceused to imply that a nation that has experienced little conflict or turmoil in its past is likely to be more stable, peaceful, and prosperous in the present and future
• my country, right or wrong🔊sentenceused to imply unconditional loyalty and support for one's country, regardless of its actions or policies
• a language is a dialect with an army and (a|) navy🔊sentenceused to imply that the distinction between a language and a dialect is often determined by political power and influence rather than inherent linguistic differences
• we are all Adam's children, but silk makes (all|) the difference🔊sentenceused to imply that all human beings are equal in their fundamental nature or origin, but social status or external factors like wealth and privilege can create significant distinctions or disparities among them
• a cat (may|can) look at a king🔊sentenceused to imply that everyone has fundamental rights and freedoms, regardless of their social status or position, and that no one is above the law or immune to scrutiny
• big fish eat little fish🔊sentenceused to imply that in many situations, those who have more power or resources can exploit or dominate those who have less
• disobedience is the true foundation of liberty🔊sentenceused to emphasize the need for individuals or groups to stand up against oppressive systems, structures, or regimes in order to secure and promote freedom
• beggars fear no rebellion🔊sentenceused to suggest that those who have nothing to lose, such as beggars, may be more fearless and willing to take risks, including participating in rebellion or uprising
• it takes all sorts to make a world🔊sentenceused to imply that diversity and individual differences among people are necessary for the world to function and thrive
• a great city, a great solitude🔊sentenceused to imply that urban life can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation due to the difficulty of forming meaningful social connections

Unity6 words

• (unity|union) is strength🔊sentenceused to emphasize that collective effort and cooperation are more effective in achieving success than individual effort
• united we stand, divided we fall🔊sentenceused to suggest that people are stronger and more likely to succeed when they are united, but weaker and more vulnerable to failure when they are divided or working against each other
• when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion🔊sentenceused to emphasize the power of collective effort and unity to overcome great challenges and achieve significant results, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles
• the voice of the people is the voice of God🔊sentenceused to emphasize the importance of listening to and honoring the desires and interests of a group of people, as they are seen as a force that represents a higher power
• the enemy of (your|my) enemy is (your|my) friend🔊sentenceused to suggest that in certain situations, it may be advantageous to form an alliance with someone who is not on friendly terms with you, as long as you both share a common enemy
• the devil looks after his own🔊sentenceused to highlight the concept of loyalty within certain groups or communities, where individuals support and protect each other, even if their actions are deemed negative or harmful by others

Justice7 words

• justice is blind🔊sentenceused to imply that justice should be impartial and unbiased, and not influenced by any external factors
• first come, first served🔊sentenceused to say that people will be served or helped in the order that they arrive or make their requests
• mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind (exceedingly|) fine🔊sentenceused to imply that the process of justice or fairness may be gradual but ultimately inevitable
• no one should be (the|) judge in his own cause🔊sentenceused to suggest that a person cannot make an unbiased decision about a matter in which they are directly involved
• what goes around, comes (back|) around🔊sentenceused to suggest that if a person does good deeds, they will receive good things in return, and if they do bad deeds, they will face negative consequences
• what is good for the goose is (also|) good for the gander🔊sentenceused to emphasize that equal treatment and fairness should be applied to everyone, without any discrimination or preferential treatment
• when thieves fall out, honest men come by their own🔊sentenceused to suggest that the conflict or disagreement between two untrustworthy people can create an opportunity for honest people to benefit from their downfall

Injustice11 words

• desert and reward seldom keep company🔊sentenceused to emphasize the idea that life is not always fair, and that people may not always receive the recognition or reward that they deserve
• the gods send nuts to those who have no teeth🔊sentenceused to emphasize the unevenness or randomness of fortune, where valuable opportunities or possessions may be bestowed upon those who are unable to fully enjoy or utilize them
• laws catch flies, but let hornets go free🔊sentenceused to suggest that laws are often more effective at punishing small offenses and less influential individuals, while powerful or influential individuals may escape punishment
• one law for the rich and another (law|) for the poor🔊sentenceused to suggest that the legal system is often biased in favor of the wealthy and influential, allowing them to receive special treatment or avoid punishment
• some are more equal than others🔊sentenceused to imply that in certain situations, equality is not applied consistently or fairly, and that certain individuals or groups may receive better treatment or privileges than others
• when elephants fight, the grass gets trampled🔊sentenceused to imply that conflicts between powerful entities can have serious consequences for those who are caught in the middle or who are weaker and more vulnerable
• the wholesomest meat is at another man's cost🔊sentenceused to imply that the best things in life are often obtained at the expense of others
• justice delayed is justice denied🔊sentenceused to stress the importance of timely delivery of justice, as any delay can render it ineffective and meaningless
• little thieves are hanged, but great ones escape🔊sentenceused to imply that those who commit minor offenses are punished harshly, while those who commit more serious crimes or who have more power and influence often escape punishment
• the devil looks after his own🔊sentenceused to imply that people who behave immorally or wickedly may be rewarded or protected while those who behave honestly may face difficulties or adversity
• it is all lombard street to a china orange🔊sentenceused to suggest that one side has an overwhelming advantage or that the competition is unfairly skewed in favor of one party

Law & Punishment8 words

• I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb🔊sentenceused to imply that if the punishment for two offenses is the same, one might as well commit the more serious offense if the potential rewards justify the consequences, leading individuals to take greater risks
• kill the chicken to scare the monkey🔊sentenceused to convey the idea of making an example of someone to deter others from misbehaving
• necessity (knows|has) no [law]🔊sentenceused to imply that in a situation of extreme need or urgency, people may be compelled to take actions that would normally be considered illegal or immoral
• rules are made to be broken🔊sentenceused to suggest that some rules or laws are not meant to be followed strictly and can be disregarded or broken under certain circumstances
• the more laws the more offenders🔊sentenceused to imply that as the number of laws and regulations increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to enforce them, which in turn creates more opportunities for people to unintentionally or intentionally violate them
• laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through🔊sentenceused to suggest that the legal system may not always provide equal protection or accountability for all individuals, and may instead favor those with higher social status or resources
• law and order are the medicine of the body politic🔊sentenceused to imply that laws and regulations are necessary for the proper functioning and well-being of a society
• laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law🔊sentenceused to imply that the legal system is often biased against the poor and disadvantaged, while the rich and powerful are able to use their wealth and influence to manipulate the law to their advantage

Authority & Leadership11 words

• it is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general🔊sentenceused to imply that it is easier to find people who are willing to follow and do the work, but it is much harder to find someone who has the skills and qualities to lead a group effectively
• an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep🔊sentenceused to imply that effective leadership is more important than size or strength, as a skilled leader can inspire a weaker group to triumph over a stronger one with poor leadership
• (when|while) the cat is away (, the mice will play|)🔊sentenceused to suggest that people will often take advantage of the absence of authority or supervision to do things that they wouldn't do if they were being watched
• in the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king🔊sentenceused to say that in a situation where everyone else is ignorant or inexperienced, even someone with limited knowledge or abilities can be considered superior or an expert
• fish (always|) rots from the head (down|)🔊sentenceused to imply that when there are issues or wrongdoing within a group, it is often due to a failure of leadership or a lack of accountability at the highest levels
• a nod from a lord is a breakfast for a fool🔊sentenceused to imply that even a small gesture is enough to satisfy a naive or foolish person who is easily impressed by those in positions of power or influence
• better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion🔊sentenceused to suggest that it is preferable to have some control or authority over a small organization than to be under the control of a larger and more powerful one
• everyone loves a lord🔊sentenceused to imply that people are attracted to those with higher social or economic status and overlook their negative traits in order to be associated with them or benefit from their power and influence
• good masters (always|) make good servants🔊sentenceused to imply that treating subordinates with kindness, respect, and fairness leads to loyal and hardworking employees
• uneasy lies the head that wears the crown🔊sentenceused to imply that those in positions of power or authority often face great responsibilities and many challenges, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping
• if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys🔊sentenceused to imply that if one offers low wages, one is likely to attract and retain workers who are of lower quality, have less experience, or are less motivated to do their job well

Power8 words

• absolute power corrupts absolutely🔊sentenceused to imply that the more power a person has, the more likely they are to abuse that power and act in their own self-interest, rather than in the interest of others
• providence is always on the side of the big battalions🔊sentenceused to imply that those with greater power or resources are more likely to succeed, regardless of their individual abilities or the merits of their cause
• rich man's joke is always funny🔊sentenceused to imply that people with wealth and power are often favored, and their jokes or actions may be seen as more entertaining or valuable, even if they are not particularly funny or appropriate
• might [is|make] right🔊sentenceused to imply that those who have power and authority can act without constraint or accountability, regardless of the consequences or the impact on others
• he who pays the piper, calls the tune🔊sentenceused to emphasize that the person who provides the money or resources for a project or activity has the right to control how it is carried out and what decisions are made
• (kings|governments) have long arms🔊sentenceused to suggest that those in power have the resources and connections to reach beyond their immediate surroundings and enforce their authority
• the post of honor is the post of danger🔊sentenceused to suggest that positions of high responsibility or leadership often come with great risks or potential for harm
• set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride (straight|) to the devil🔊sentenceused to suggest that someone who was previously poor or powerless may become reckless and make poor choices when suddenly given wealth or authority

Customs & Social Conformity7 words

• a bad custom is like a good cake, better broken than kept🔊sentenceused for implying that it is more beneficial to let go of outdated or harmful practices and customs in favor of positive change and improvement
• custom is the plague of wise men and the idol of fools🔊sentenceused to warn that blindly following customs and traditions can be detrimental to progress and wisdom, and encourages individuals to question and examine established practices
• so many countries, so many customs🔊sentenceused to emphasize that people in different countries have different customs and ways of behaving, and that it is important to recognize and respect these differences
• custom is the guide of the ignorant🔊sentenceused to suggest that people who lack knowledge or understanding often rely on established habits and traditions as a default guide for decision making
• tradition is a guide and not a jailer🔊sentenceused to convey the idea that traditions can be beneficial as a guiding principle but can also become an obstacle to progress or adaptation if they are too rigidly followed
• the nail that sticks out, gets hammered down🔊sentenceused to imply that in some groups or societies, people who are different may be criticized or punished, and there is pressure to conform to established norms
• it is ill striving against the stream🔊sentenceused to imply that it is unwise and futile to act contrary to what is generally accepted or practiced, emphasizing the challenge of going against prevailing norms or opinions

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