A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

woman, and eight for a fool.

elephant see with a SWEET tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.

When ELEPHANTS fight, it is the grass that suffers

African proverb, meaning that the weak get hurt in conflicts between the powerful.

1936 New York Times 26 Mar. (online) As citizens of a country whose fate depends

on the policies and changing moods of powerful neighbours, Belgians quote frequently

these days a proverb learned in the Congo: ‘When elephants fight it is the grass that

suffers.’ 1986 New York Times 23 Nov. (online) ‘Angolans say “When two elephants

fight, it is the grass that suffers,” ’ an aide worker here commented. 2003 Journal of

Literacy Research Spring (online) ‘When elephants fight, only the grass gets trampled.’

This African proverb is used regularly to describe.. officials and leaders whose disputes

and divisions end up hurting innocent.. people. strength and weakness; violence

eleven see POSSESSION is nine points of the law; RAIN before seven, fine before eleven.

Every ELM has its man

Cf. 1906 R. KIPLING Puck of Pook’s Hill 32 Ellum she hateth mankind, and waiteth Till
every gust be laid To drop a limb on the head of him That any way trusts her shade.

1928 Times 29 Nov. 10 Owing to the frequency with which this tree sheds its

branches, or is uprooted in a storm, it has earned for itself a sinister reputation. ‘Every

elm has its man’ is an old country saying. death; fate and fatalism

emperor see the MOUNTAINS are high, and the emperor is far away.

EMPTY sacks will never stand upright

Extreme need makes survival impossible. Also used as an argument for taking food or
drink (see quot. 1978)

1642 G. TORRIANO Select Italian Proverbs 90 Sacco vuoto non può star in piedi.