What does “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” mean?
"Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil" means that people who suddenly gain power or wealth are often corrupted by it, implying that humility and perspective are important virtues.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He used to be a humble worker, but now that he's in a position of power, he's become corrupt. Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.
Example
She won the lottery and suddenly became obsessed with material possessions. It's a classic case of set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.
Example
After being promoted to a high-ranking position, he started abusing his authority. It's a perfect example of how *set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.
Is “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” effectively in context?
You can use "Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil" to express the idea that giving power or authority to someone who is inexperienced or unworthy is likely to result in negative consequences. It emphasizes the potential for misuse and chaos. For example, if a friend is considering promoting an unqualified colleague to a leadership position, you might say, 'Be careful, you know what they say: set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil.'
- 1Promotions
They made him the manager of the company, but set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil. He had no idea how to handle the responsibility and everything went downhill.
- 2Financial Trust
Giving him access to the company's finances was a big mistake. Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil. He ended up embezzling a large sum of money.
- 3Leadership
I don't understand why they promoted her to a leadership position. Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil. She has no management skills and is causing chaos in the team.
Similar phrases to “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.”:
Absolute power corrupts absolutely
When a person has complete authority, they are likely to become corrupt or abuse their power
Example
He became the CEO of the company, and as they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil" is unknown.
Is “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more often found in literature or formal discussions about power dynamics and leadership.
What tone does “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” have?
"Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil" conveys a cautionary tone. It warns against giving authority to those who are ill-equipped or undeserving, highlighting the potential negative consequences.
Can “Set a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil" is more formal in nature. It is not commonly used in casual conversations but may be employed in formal settings such as business meetings, academic discussions, or written essays.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They promoted him to a high-ranking position, but set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil' to imply the potential consequences of giving power to the wrong person.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- give power to the unworthy and chaos will ensue
- inexperienced power leads to disaster
- unworthy authority breeds chaos
- granting power to the undeserving invites trouble
- handing power to the unqualified results in mayhem
Antonyms
- give power to the capable and success will follow
- qualified authority leads to order
- experienced power breeds success
- granting power to the deserving invites progress
- handing power to the qualified results in harmony
