when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers
- 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.
Proverbs new dictionary.
Look at other dictionaries:
grass — see while the grass grows, the steed starves the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers … Proverbs new dictionary
fight — see fight fire with fire councils of war never fight when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers while two dogs are fighting for a bone, a third runs away with it he who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
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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 … Proverbs new dictionary
suffer — see when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers … Proverbs new dictionary
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