| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Beggar. | | |
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A beggar may sing before a pickpocket. (In Latin, “Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.”) A beggar may sing before a highwayman because he has nothing in his pocket to lose. | 1 |
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Set a beggar on horseback, and he’ll ride to the de’il. There is no one so proud and arrogant as a beggar who has suddenly grown rich. | 2 |
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| “Such is the sad effect of wealth—rank pride— |
| Mount but a beggar, how the rogue will ride!” | |
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Peter Pindar: Epistle to Lord Lonsdale. |
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Latin: “Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum.” | 3 |
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French: “Il n’est orgueil que de pauvre enrichi.” | 4 |
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Italian: “Il vilan nobilitado non connosce il parentado” (A beggar ennobled does not know his own kinsmen). | 5 |
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Spanish: “Quando el villano está en el mulo, non conoze a dios, ni al mundo” (when a beggar is mounted on a mule, he knows neither gods nor men). | 6 |
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