A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

a 1654 J. SELDEN Table-Talk (1689) 27 The King can do no wrong, that is no

Process [action at law] can be granted against him. 1765 W. BLACKSTONE

Commentaries on Laws of England i. vii. The King can do no wrong. ..The prerogative of

the crown extends not to do any injury: it is created for the benefit of the people, and

therefore cannot be exerted to their prejudice. 1888 C. M. YONGE Beechcroft at

Rockstone II. xxii. ‘So, Aunt Jane is your Pope.’ ‘No; she’s the King that can do no

wrong,’ said Gillian, laughing. 1952 ‘M. COST’ Hour Awaits 191 It was very different

with Augustus... We had always expected that... In his case, was it not rather a matter

of the king can do no wrong. 1981 Times 28 July 14 The Queen [of Holland] has no power

but some influence. .. ‘The Queen can do no wrong. The ministers are responsible.’

rulers and ruled

A KING’S chaff is worth more than other men’s corn

The sense is explained in quot. 1738. For a similar sentiment, see 1612 T. SHELTON tr.
Cervantes’ Don Quixote I. iv. xii. A Kings crumme is more worth then a Lords loafe. The
proverb in the form with chaff seems to be Scottish in origin.

a 1628 J. CARMICHAELL Proverbs in Scots (1957) 101 The kings calf [chaff] is

worth other mennis corne. 1668 R. B. Adagia Scotica 33 Kings caff is worth other mens

corn. 1738 Gentleman’s Mag. VIII. 474 The King’s chaff is worth more than other men’s

corn. This.. signifies that even the little perquisites, which attend the King’s service, are

more considerable than standing wages of private persons. 1788 BURNS Letter 16 Aug.

(1931) I. 245 The old Scots Proverb says well—’King’s caff is better than ither folks’

corn.’ 1817 SCOTT Rob Roy III. vii. They say.. kings’ chaff is better than other folk’s

corn, but I think that canna be said O’ kings’ soldiers, if they let themselves be beaten wi’

a wheen [few] auld carles. 1957 Times Literary Supplement 13 Sept. 552 A king’s chaff is

proverbially better than other men’s corn. employers and employees; value

king see also a CAT may look at a king; in the COUNTRY of the blind, the one-eyed man
is king; a PECK of March dust is worth a king’s ransom.

kingdom see in the COUNTRY of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

KINGS have long arms

Cf. Gr. rulers’ hands reach a long way; OVID Heroides xvii. an
nescis longas regibus esse manus? know you not that kings have far-reaching hands?